1935 Aston Martin Ulster
- Engine
- 1.5L inline-four, dry-sump, 100 mph capable
Aston Martin Ulster chassis B5/549/U (registered CMC 614), built in 1934–35 as a Works racing car for E. R. Hall, has an unbroken documented history stretching back to its first competitive season. It contested the 1935 Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Targa Abruzzo, and RAC Tourist Trophy before passing through several private owners. Its longest custodian, Derrick Edwards — founder of Ecurie Bertelli — raced it worldwide for four decades, claiming an estimated 650 awards. Original components displaced during that period were subsequently refitted, making this one of the most intact surviving pre-war Aston Martins.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,172,500
- 1935 → 1936Factory deliveryAston Martin Workspartial documentation
Build sheet identifies car as an ex-Works vehicle. Eddie Hall, for whom it was built, apparently never paid for it, so Works retained and supported the car through its first season of competition.
- 1936 → 1950Private saleH. H. Porter Hargreavespartial documentation
Purchased from Works and raced with modest results; fitted a supercharger, the bulge for which remains the sole visible external modification made in the car's entire history.
- 1950 →Private saleR. F. MacNab Meredithpartial documentation
Returned the car to active competition and achieved multiple podium finishes at club-level events.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDerrick Edwardspartial documentation
Pre-war Aston Martin specialist and co-founder of Morntane Engineering, later Ecurie Bertelli; raced the car extensively over roughly four decades, claiming around 650 awards, and kept all replaced components in careful storage.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFred Blakemorepartial documentation
Ecurie Bertelli proprietor who received the car after Edwards' passing and reinstalled the original parts that Edwards had preserved; the sole replaced panel is retained at Ecurie Bertelli.
Competition
- 19351935 Mille MigliaDriver: Eddie HallDNF — retired due to oil leak
Hall and mechanic Marsden were forced out near Siena after an early oil-related mechanical failure.
- 19351935 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Maurice Falkner8th overall, 4th in class
After Works factory repairs, Falkner and co-driver Tommy Clarke achieved the second-best result among the seven Aston Martins entered.
- 19351935 Targa AbruzzoDriver: Count Johnny Lurani1st in class
Originally scheduled for Hall and Lurani; Hall withdrew at short notice citing hotel discomfort, so Lurani drove with last-minute co-driver Gildo Strazza.
- 19351935 RAC Tourist Trophy
Final competitive outing under Works support before the car was sold in 1936.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1935RepairAston Martin Works
Following the oil-leak retirement at the Mille Miglia, the car was returned to the Aston Martin factory for remedial work before its Le Mans entry.
- —Modification
A supercharger was fitted during H. H. Porter Hargreaves' ownership, necessitating a visible bulge in the bodywork — the sole external change to the car across its entire lifespan.
This modification is the only alteration apparent in period and later photographs.
- —RestorationEcurie Bertelli
Following Edwards' death, the new owner had all original parts that Edwards had carefully set aside during his racing years reinstalled on the car. Only one body panel had been replaced, and the original piece remains held by Ecurie Bertelli.
The work was carried out under Fred Blakemore's ownership and aimed to return the car as close as possible to its original specification.
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