1931 Aston Martin International 1½ Litre 2/4 Seater

A1/100roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: 1.5L inline-four SOHC, dual SU carburetors, 56 bhp
Colour: Green

Chassis A1/100 is a 1931 Aston Martin 1½ Litre International, one of 129 first-series Bertelli cars built, and among the most celebrated light sports cars of its era. First delivered to a buyer in Bradford, England, it passed through several British owners before being exported to the United States in the 1950s, where it has remained. The car was later owned by noted Aston restorer Toby Bergin, and a subsequent sympathetic restoration by specialist Kevin Kay Restorations returned it to period-correct condition.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$280,500
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1931 →Factory delivery
Mr. Halstead of Bradford
partial documentation
First owner; the vehicle was initially delivered to this individual in Bradford, England.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Various UK owners
none documentation
The car passed through multiple hands within the United Kingdom before being exported. During this period it received updated brakes, a new gearshift, and replacement carburetors.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
J.M. Morgan of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
partial documentation
This individual exported the car to the United States during the 1950s, relocating it from the UK.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Toby Bergin
partial documentation
Well-regarded Aston Martin restoration specialist who held the car around the early part of the 2000s; the car was based in the US during this time.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Recent US owner
partial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Aston Martin specialist Kevin Kay Restorations, covering electrical, mechanical, and cosmetic work, with a strong emphasis on period authenticity.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Mechanical
Aston Martin factory
During early ownership, the car was fitted with replacement brakes, a new gearshift, and new carburetors. The factory build sheet documents ongoing factory maintenance through 1946.
Build sheet copy on file confirms factory involvement in servicing up to 1946.
—Restoration
Kevin Kay Restorations
Comprehensive recommissioning by an Aston Martin specialist, encompassing full cleaning, new wiring harness and Bosch generator installation, complete electrical rewiring to a re-veneered dashboard, new leather spring gaiters, rebuilt Hartford-type friction dampers, and rebuilding of the carburetors, generator, radiator, magneto, water pump, starter, and camshaft. Original green paintwork was retained with minor touch-up, and a new period-specification green interior including wooden seat supports was fabricated. New Dunlop tyres were fitted to the original wire-spoke wheels.
Work carried out under recent ownership with emphasis on authenticity; accompanying documentation records the mechanical scope.
—
Mechanical
Fuel system sorting to improve drivability and overall running condition.
Carried out in recent years; the car has also been started on a regular basis to keep it in running order.

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