1931 Aston Martin International LM5
- Engine
- 1.5L inline-four OHC, dry sump, designed by Renwick and Bertelli, over 90 mph capable
Chassis LM5 is the first of Aston Martin's three 1931 Works International team cars, developed under A.C. Bertelli with a 1.5-litre Renwick & Bertelli overhead-camshaft engine capable of over 90 mph. It debuted at the Brooklands Double 12 and achieved its greatest period success with a class win at the 1931 RAC Tourist Trophy driven by C.M. Harvey. After the season it passed to privateer use with a 2/4-seater body conversion, before spending over five decades largely unaltered in one owner's care. A later comprehensive mechanical restoration by Ecurie Bertelli returned it to correct specification while preserving its original patina.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €1,000,000 – €1,400,000
- 1931 →Private saleLance Prideaux-Brunepartial documentation
Received the car after the 1931 racing season as his personal vehicle; commissioned a 2/4-seater body conversion, documented in the accompanying build record.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFirst unidentified private ownernone documentation
One of two successive anonymous private owners through whom the car passed after Prideaux-Brune.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSecond unidentified private ownernone documentation
Second of two successive anonymous private owners in the chain between Prideaux-Brune and Roland Hirons.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRoland Hironspartial documentation
Purchased the car for £185 and retained it largely unaltered for more than five decades before selling.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDavid Aconpartial documentation
Acquired the car from Hirons and promptly entrusted it to pre-war Aston Martin specialists Ecurie-Bertelli for a thorough mechanical restoration.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownProminent Aston Martin enthusiastpartial documentation
Current keeper of the car, maintaining it in its substantially original post-restoration condition.
Competition
- 1931Brooklands Double 12Driver: Clive Gallop2nd in class
Co-driven by L. Cushman; Sir Malcolm Campbell participated in practice only before moving to a different car. Poor visibility and tyre trouble hindered the car, yet it finished second in class behind LM6.
- 1931Le Mans 24 HoursDNF after 126 laps
Retired along with the majority of the field; only six cars are noted as having finished the race.
- 1931RAC Tourist TrophyDriver: C.M. Harvey14th overall, 1st in class
Regarded as the car's greatest competitive achievement during its works career.
- 1933RAC Rally
Contested in its updated 2/4-seater body configuration after retirement from front-line works duties.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1932Modification
Original Works racing bodywork replaced with a 2/4-seater body at the instruction of Lance Prideaux-Brune; this conversion was standard practice for retired Works Aston Martins to make them more saleable.
Recorded on the accompanying factory build record.
- —RestorationEcurie Bertelli
Comprehensive mechanical restoration carried out by Ecurie Bertelli following inspection that revealed the car's need for thorough work; scope included a full engine rebuild, replacement of gearbox bearings, and sourcing of a new drive-axle gear manufactured by David Brown Engineering. The rare lightweight Electron engine casing was replaced with correct factory components preserved from original stock, prioritising originality throughout.
Commissioned by David Acon immediately after he acquired the car from Roland Hirons.
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