1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III
- Engine
- 2.9L inline-six, 162 bhp standard or 178 bhp with dual exhausts
- Colour
- Cardinal Grey over red leather
Chassis AM300/3/1518 is an Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III — one of the revised 2.9-litre models introduced at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show — that began life as a factory demonstrator believed to have served as David Brown's personal Continental holiday car. Its most celebrated chapter came when racing driver Carroll Shelby, then competing for the David Brown Racing Department, purchased it at a discount in 1958 and exported it to Texas following his Le Mans victory in 1959. Decades later, actor and Pebble Beach Master of Ceremonies Ed Herrmann commissioned a comprehensive restoration before the car passed to collector Judge Joseph Cassini and subsequent owners. It retains its 1958-fitted engine and the twin exhaust added in early 1959.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$357,000
- → 1958Factory deliveryAston Martin factory (demonstrator)partial documentation
Built as a left-hand drive factory demonstrator with a kilometer odometer, believed to have served as David Brown's personal continental holiday vehicle, though officially registered on trade plates.
- 1958 → 1959Private saleCarroll Shelbyfull documentation
Purchased at approximately half the standard price; the engine was replaced prior to the transaction. After his successful 1959 racing campaign, Shelby shipped the car to Texas. Supporting documents include correspondence, a build sheet, and notes from a phone call confirming ownership details.
- → 1999Private saleEd Herrmannfull documentation
Emmy Award-winning actor and Pebble Beach Concours MC who acquired the car in poor condition and commissioned a full restoration by RM Auto Restorations, completed in 1999. He later expressed regret at having parted with it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHarold Wayne Simpsonpartial documentation
Owner based in Santa Cruz, California; the car was in a deteriorated condition during this period.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJudge Joseph Cassinipartial documentation
Noted as a prominent collector who acquired the car shortly after the restoration was finished.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSubsequent owners in short successionpartial documentation
A brief series of identified owners between Cassini and the present collector, with no individual names provided in the catalogue.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownProminent East Coast collectorpartial documentation
Current owner at time of consignment; described as well-regarded within the collecting community.
Competition
- 19591959 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Carroll Shelby1st overall
Part of Shelby's highly successful 1959 Aston Martin racing season; the victory is referenced as context for his ownership of this car, not a direct entry by the car itself.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1958Engine rebuild
Engine replaced prior to the retail sale to Carroll Shelby, as recorded on the factory build sheet.
Replacement engine number DBA/1312 remains fitted to the car at the time of cataloguing.
- 1958Service
A final service carried out in September, shortly before the car was exported to the United States.
- 1959Modification
Twin exhaust system fitted in early 1959; still present on the car.
- 1999RestorationRM Auto Restorations
Full restoration carried out to concours standard, returning the car to its original Cardinal Grey over Red leather specification.
Commissioned by Ed Herrmann after acquiring the car in a deteriorated state; Carroll Shelby's prior ownership was identified and confirmed during this project.
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