BaT Auction: 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé

This 1953 Aston Martin DB2 is one of approximately 100 Drophead Coupé examples produced between 1950 and April of 1953. The car, chassis 50/364, is a left-hand-drive model that was first owned in New Jersey. Finished from the factory in Crushed Strawberry, the vehicle is equipped with a black soft top and grey leather upholstery with red piping. The numbers-matching, Vantage-spec 2.6-liter DOHC inline-six remains fitted and powers the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. This DB2 was acquired in 1998 by its late owner, car collector Don Marsh, and was reportedly displayed in his home for the ensuing two decades alongside a Jaguar XK120 and a Steinway piano. The car is now offered on behalf of the late owner’s trust with a history file, knock-off mallet, Aston Martin Owners Club documentation, and a clean Ohio title.

The aluminum-bodied DB2 debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 1950, and the Drophead Coupé variant entered production later that year. This example is finished in Crushed Strawberry and features a two-piece windscreen, single Talbot-style sideview mirror, Lucas headlights, driving lamps, and a rear door for the spare wheel compartment. The black soft top can be seen up close in the gallery below.

Chromed 16″ wire wheels are secured with two-eared knock-offs and wear Excelsior Stahl Sport tires. Braking is managed by drums at all four corners.

The seats and door panels are trimmed in grey leather with red piping. Red carpeting lines the floors, and the dash top and fascia are also upholstered in red.

Driver controls include a wood-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel and a floor shifter for the four-speed gearbox. The wood instrument panel contains Smiths gauges, including a 140-mph speedometer with an inset clock, a reverse-sweep 6k-rpm tachometer, and a combination instrument for oil pressure, amperage, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows just under 35k miles, approximately 5k of which were added by the late owner.

In Vantage spec, the 2.6-liter DOHC inline-six featured dual SU HV6 carburetors and an 8.16:1 compression ratio. Factory-rated output was 125 horsepower. An Optima Redtop battery is fitted.

Engine stamping VB6B/50/1192 can be seen in the gallery and matches the chassis tag.

UNDERSIDE PHOTOS

Additional underside photos are included in the gallery, and start-up and driving videos are viewable below.

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