1938 Aston Martin 15/98 Open Sports (short-chassis)
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-four, SOHC, twin SU carburetors, ~98 bhp
A pre-war Aston Martin 15/98 Two Litre, chassis J8/776/LS, delivered in October 1938 with Bertelli saloon coachwork. The original long chassis was subsequently shortened and rebodied in the two-seat Open Sports style by Abbey Coachworks, followed by a comprehensive body-off restoration by Steel Wings of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, which included a left-hand-drive conversion and hydraulic brake upgrade. Believed to be the only pre-war Aston Martin in left-hand-drive configuration, it won awards within AMOC North America and was judged Best in Class at the 2012 Cavallino Classic.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$286,000
- 1938-10-21 → 1954-03-06Factory deliveryA.W. Stewart-Deanfull documentation
Took delivery of the car new at Sudbrook Manor, Grantham; later purchased a new DB2 in 1953, which apparently prompted the sale of this vehicle. His daughter continued the family tradition of Aston ownership after his death.
- 1954-03-06 →Private saleI.H. Mannfull documentation
Resident of Terreagles, Maidenhead, Berkshire; acquisition documented in factory build records.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownR.W. and R.J. Millspartial documentation
Acquisition documented in Aston Martin Owners Club records, dated to the early 1980s. During their tenure the original long chassis was shortened and a two-seat open sports body in the traditional Abbey style was fitted, reportedly by R.W. Mills himself.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownVincent Youngpartial documentation
Long-standing member of AMOC North America; commissioned a full body-off restoration by Steel Wings of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, which included a left-hand-drive conversion, hydraulic brake upgrade, and revised gearbox. The car reportedly won all available AMOCNA awards for its type during his stewardship.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownOrin Smithpartial documentation
Added the car to a personal collection, where it was regularly maintained and used. Entered it at the Cavallino Classic in 2012, where it achieved a Best in Class result.
Competition
- 19341934 Tourist TrophyTeam prize
Result for the Aston Martin works team; noted as part of the broader marque history rather than for this specific chassis.
- 19351935 Le Mans 24 Hours3rd overall
Marque-level achievement cited in the historical background; not attributed to this specific chassis.
- 20122012 Cavallino Classic, Classic Sports SundayBest in Class
Event held at Mar-a-Lago; the result was subsequently featured in the Winter 2011–2012 issue of the AMOCNA publication The Vantage Point.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
Chassis shortened to short-chassis specification and a new two-seat Open Sports body constructed in the original Abbey Coachworks style, reportedly built by R.W. Mills.
Work carried out during ownership by R.W. and R.J. Mills, believed to be in the early 1980s.
- —RestorationSteel Wings
Full body-off restoration completed to show standard by marque specialists Steel Wings; included conversion to left-hand drive, fitment of hydraulic brakes, installation of a gearbox with synchromesh on second, third, and fourth gears, and professional fabrication of a machine-turned aluminium firewall.
Commissioned by Vincent Young; workshop located in Ivyland, Pennsylvania.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.