1957 Aston Martin DP114/2 prototype (DB Mark III successor development car)
- Engine
- Inline-six, essentially Mark III specification with modified hypoid differential and bespoke exhaust
- Colour
- Almond Green (previously white with blue roof)
The Aston Martin DP114/2 is a unique factory development prototype, constructed in 1957 with a tubular perimeter chassis engineered by Harold Beach and bespoke coachwork designed by Frank Feeley. Originally built as a successor study to the Mark III, it was abandoned after Touring Superleggera declined further involvement, whereupon it passed to the wife of Aston Martin Lagonda chairman David Brown as personal transport. Its subsequent history encompasses private ownership, class victories in historic rallying, a five-year factory recommissioning, and concours appearances. The matching-numbers car retains its original experimental specification throughout.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £421,250 (≈ $527K)
- 1957-08-23 → 1962Factory deliveryMrs Brown (wife of Aston Martin Lagonda chairman David Brown)full documentation
Served as personal transport after the prototype was retired from development. First registered in August 1957 and known informally as the 'Walls Ice Cream Van' due to its white and blue colour scheme.
- 1962 →Acquisition unknownMr Sarantpartial documentation
- 1966 →Acquisition unknownGroup Captain William Dennis Davidpartial documentation
Decorated RAF officer affiliated with the Ministry of Defence; had served in WWII and held the rank of CBE with DFC.
- → 1990Private saleAston Martin Lagondapartial documentation
Bought the car back prior to 1990 and subsequently commissioned a five-year works recommissioning programme at Newport Pagnell to factory standards using original engineering drawings.
- 2005 →Acquisition unknownSubsequent owner post-Aston Martin works recommissioningpartial documentation
Returned the car to Aston Martin Works in 2005 for further restoration costing nearly £35,000, which included a respray in Almond Green and a full interior re-trim in Fern Green leather.
- Date unknownPrivate saleIvor Howellspartial documentation
Former Aston Martin bench fitter who purchased the car for £600 when it had deteriorated badly. He carried out a thorough two-year restoration beginning in May 1977, supported by parts and documentation from Aston Martin Dorset.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJames Joseph Murraypartial documentation
Had the car converted for historic competition and obtained FIA homologation as a prototype GT for use in period-style rallies during the 1980s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnidentified owner who campaigned car in 1989 Pirelli Classicnone documentation
Entered the car in the Pirelli Classic Marathon the year after Murray's ownership before Aston Martin Lagonda reacquired it.
Competition
- 1978Knebworth House Classic Motor Show
Attended by Ivor Howells following completion of his two-year restoration.
- 1980Newport Pagnell Concours
One of several events the car attended under Howells' ownership after its restoration.
- 1988Pirelli Classic MarathonFirst Pirelli Classic MarathonClass win
Car was entered while prepared for historic competition under James Joseph Murray's ownership, having been FIA-homologated as a prototype GT.
- 1988Bridgend Ford Directors Rally StagesClass win
Achieved a class victory alongside the Pirelli Classic Marathon win during the same season.
- 1989Pirelli Classic MarathonPirelli Classic Marathon
Entered by an unidentified subsequent owner before the car was reacquired by Aston Martin Lagonda.
- 1993Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance, London
Displayed as a demonstration of Aston Martin Works' restoration capabilities following the five-year recommissioning project.
- 1995Coys International Historic Festival, Silverstone
Exhibited at Silverstone as part of continued promotional activities for the recommissioned prototype.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1977Restoration
A painstaking two-year ground-up restoration undertaken by Ivor Howells, supported by a parts catalogue, workshop manual, original works specifications, and replacement components supplied by Aston Martin Dorset.
Restoration completed circa 1979; Aston Martin Dorset provided key documentation and parts.
- 1990RestorationAston Martin Works
A five-year comprehensive recommissioning programme conducted to the highest standard at Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell, guided by original engineering drawings recovered from the factory's own archive.
Intended as a demonstration of the Works facility's capabilities; completed circa 1995.
- 2005RestorationAston Martin Works
Further recommissioning at Aston Martin Works: exterior refinished in Almond Green, interior and boot fully re-trimmed in Fern Green leather with coordinating carpets and seatbelts, and the braking and suspension systems comprehensively overhauled with bodywork and paintwork corrected.
Documented by service invoices totalling approximately £35,000.
- —Modification
Car converted for historic motorsport use and homologated with the FIA as a prototype GT, enabling participation in historic rally events.
Carried out during James Joseph Murray's ownership in the 1980s.
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