1958 Aston Martin DB 2/4
A 1950s Aston Martin DB 2/4 with an exceptional cultural pedigree, this car was acquired new by British jazz and blues impresario Chris Barber, who used it for road trips as well as a single competitive outing in 1958. Notably, it served as transport for a young Jim Clark and Colin Chapman at the Nürburgring that same year. After passing through several British owners, a lengthy custodianship from 1981 included a thorough restoration by Lynx Motors International, and the car remains in well-maintained, usable condition.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £140,000 – £180,000
- → 1958Factory deliveryR. Vickerypartial documentation
Original owner of the vehicle; sold to Chris Barber in January 1958.
- 1958 → 1962Private saleChris Barberpartial documentation
British jazz and blues musician who used the car for both competition and personal travel, including transporting Jim Clark and Colin Chapman to the 1958 German Grand Prix.
- 1962 → 1981Succession of UK-based ownersnone documentation
Multiple unidentified owners based in Britain between Barber's sale and the Hamilton acquisition.
- 1981 → 2015Acquisition unknownJohn Hamiltonpartial documentation
Retained the car for approximately 34 years; commissioned a major restoration by Lynx Motors International and subsequent work by A.J. Barnard Engineering, with a strong emphasis on preserving original bodywork and patina.
Competition
- 1958-07-01Arthur Bryant TrophyDriver: Chris Barber4th
A 10-lap handicap event; Barber finished behind three DB3S entries driven by Jean Bloxham, John Dalton, and Graham Whitehead.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2014ServiceClassic Performance Engineering and CKL Developments
Ongoing maintenance and mechanical upkeep by Classic Performance Engineering and CKL Developments to sustain the car's condition.
Described as more recent than the Barnard Engineering work; exact start date not stated.
- —RestorationLynx Motors International
Comprehensive restoration by Lynx Motors International encompassing a replacement cylinder block and timing cover, addition of DB5 Girling front brake calipers, and a full stainless-steel twin exhaust system with tubular manifolds. The work ran to approximately 1,150 man-hours and prioritised retention of the original bodywork and its accumulated patina.
Total cost was approximately £53,400. Work was carried out during John Hamilton's ownership, which began in 1981.
- —MechanicalA.J. Barnard Engineering
Installation of a Marles steering box, four MWS 72-spoke wheels, and a lead-free conversion to the cylinder head.
Work was carried out across a period from 2009 to 2014.
- —Modification
Additional safety-oriented modifications including an electric cooling fan, aluminium radiator, aluminium rear axle mounting brackets, and servo-assisted front brakes.
Specific date and workshop not recorded; listed alongside the ongoing maintenance work.
- —InspectionRikki Cann
A recent condition assessment carried out by marque specialist Rikki Cann, the report from which accompanies the car.
Report forms part of the car's history file presented at auction.
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