1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupé by Bertone (Arnolt-Aston Martin)
- Engine
- Rebuilt inline-six with raised compression, DB Mk III-spec valves and camshafts, upgraded oiling
- Colour
- Metallic blue
Chassis LML/765 is the sole coupe among seven Aston Martin DB2/4s bodied by Bertone under the direction of American entrepreneur Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt II, with distinctive flanking creases and a wraparound rear window attributed to Bertone designer Franco Scaglione. Commissioned in 1954 for a client believed to be Simca founder Henri Pigozzi, the car was exhibited at the 1957 and 1958 Turin Motor Shows as part of an unsuccessful bid to win the DB4 coachbuilding contract. After decades of private ownership in the United States, it underwent a meticulous concours restoration exceeding $800,000, debuting at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won First in Class.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,105,000
- 1955-01-07 →Factory deliveryHenri Pigozzi (believed)partial documentation
Commissioned by Arnolt on behalf of a Paris-based client whose name was recorded with variant spelling; believed to be the founder of Simca, whose cars shared certain styling details with this Aston.
- 1976 →Acquisition unknownJohn G. Gyannpartial documentation
First recorded US-based owner after the car's arrival in America.
- → 1987Acquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
California-based collector group from which the next owner purchased the car.
- 1987 → 1998AuctionRoger Karlsonfull documentation
California owner who spent eleven years carefully addressing mechanical issues inherited from the prior cosmetic restoration; contributed a detailed written account now part of the car's documentation file.
- 2019 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Commissioned a full concours-level restoration exceeding $800,000 by California-based Aston Martin specialists, returning the car to its correct 1955 specification and original metallic blue livery.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDr. Jim Pavlatospartial documentation
Illinois-based owner who oversaw a largely cosmetic restoration during his tenure.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBill Jacobspartial documentation
Chicago-area sports car dealer through whose hands the car passed.
Competition
- 19571957 Turin Motor ShowExhibited on Bertone stand
Car displayed in white finish; Bertone reportedly used the appearance to lobby Aston Martin for the DB4 coachbuilding contract.
- 19581958 Turin Motor ShowExhibited on Bertone stand
Car shown in blue finish; again used by Bertone as a pitch for the forthcoming DB4 project, which ultimately went to Touring of Milan.
- 19871987 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Shown while owned by Roger Karlson, shortly after his acquisition from Blackhawk.
- 20232023 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceFirst in Class
Debuted following completion of an extensive restoration; the win represented the car's return to the spotlight after decades.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1987Mechanical
Thorough mechanical sorting and refinement of the car, addressing areas not covered by the earlier cosmetic restoration.
Carried out by or under the direction of Roger Karlson over the course of his eleven-year ownership from 1987.
- 2023RestorationKevin Kay Restorations
Comprehensive concours-level restoration returning the car to its original show-specification metallic blue finish, matched to traces of surviving original paint. Correct period front bumper, taillights, bonnet trim, sun visors, and interior hardware were fabricated to replicate the original 1955 configuration. The original engine was retained and rebuilt to a higher-output specification with increased compression, DB MK III-style valvetrain components, and an uprated lubrication system. Total cost exceeded $800,000.
Completed in time for the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance; supported by restoration photographs and invoices included in the car's documentation file.
- —Restoration
A primarily cosmetic restoration carried out under the ownership of Dr. Jim Pavlatos; mechanical condition was noted as still requiring attention at this stage.
Preceded Roger Karlson's ownership; Karlson subsequently devoted considerable effort to addressing the mechanical shortcomings left by this work.
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