1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage Drophead Coupé
- Engine
- 2,580 cc DOHC inline-six with twin SU carburetors, Vantage specification, ~125 bhp
- Colour
- Fiesta Red
A rare left-hand-drive Aston Martin DB2 Vantage drophead coupé, one of only around 98 drophead examples built and among an even smaller number originally equipped with the high-performance Vantage engine. Delivered new in November 1953 to a Long Island importer-dealer, the car passed through a documented chain of American enthusiast owners before receiving a full body-off restoration in the late 1990s. It subsequently formed part of the Smith Collection in Florida, accumulating only 1,135 miles post-restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$346,500
- 1953-11-24 →Factory deliveryLouis Comitofull documentation
Original recipient of the car, operated an imported vehicle dealership in Huntington Station, New York; delivery address recorded as Roslyn Heights, Long Island. Original build sheet copy retained in file.
- 1975 →Acquisition unknownAlbert Schneiderpartial documentation
Based in Cleveland, Ohio.
- 1979 →Acquisition unknownNick Candeepartial documentation
Ohio-based Aston Martin historian.
- 1981 →Acquisition unknownEverett Smithpartial documentation
Illinois-based owner; car later received a full restoration during this or a subsequent ownership period.
- 1984 →Acquisition unknownSteve Mayopartial documentation
Based in Merrimack, New Hampshire; body-off restoration by a Massachusetts firm was completed in the late 1990s during ownership in this general period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCharlie Turnerpartial documentation
Atlanta-based enthusiast known for assembling a significant collection of notable Aston Martins during his active collecting period; acquired the car in the early 1970s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGene Garrattpartial documentation
Resident of Brecksville, Ohio; part of the sequential chain of Ohio-area owners.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEverett Smithpartial documentation
Second period of ownership; car was maintained as a high-condition driver in what is referred to as the Smith Collection, with over $34,000 in documented work carried out by a Miami-based specialist.
Competition
- 19501950 Le Mans 24 Hours1st in class
Referenced as a notable achievement of the DB2 model in general, not specifically this car.
- 19511951 Le Mans 24 Hours1st in class
Again cited as a model-level achievement of the DB2, not a specific result for this individual vehicle.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationHyannis Restoration
Full body-off restoration carried out in the late 1990s; car refinished in Fiesta Red with grey leather interior piped in red, red carpeting, and a new black cloth hood by trimmer Johan Merkhofer.
Work performed in Massachusetts; restoration reportedly later freshened by Vantage Motors of Connecticut.
- —Engine rebuildVantage Motors
Rebuild of the Vantage-specification engine (number VB6B/50/1088) following the main restoration, carried out as a freshening exercise.
Connecticut-based workshop; distinct from the Miami firm Vantage Motorworks referenced later.
- —MechanicalVantage Motorworks
Partial engine rebuild including new timing gear, installation of electronic ignition, and servicing of the radiator and carburettors; also included general servicing of the car. Invoiced at approximately $32,172.
Miami-based firm; work carried out during Everett Smith's Florida ownership. Documentation on file.
- —MechanicalVantage Motorworks
Installation of an upgraded cooling fan to improve engine temperature management in hot-weather conditions, at a cost of approximately $2,152.
Also carried out during the Smith ownership period in Florida.
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