A neglected classic Aston Martin car that was dismantled in a garage 54 years ago may look like a jumble of worn parts, but it is likely to sell for £60,000 when it is auctioned this weekend.
The broken down DB2/4 Mark II Saloon is the last of just 199 examples made by the famous British manufacturer in 1957 and has been in the same family ownership for 57 years, having been acquired by the seller’s late father in 1966.
The family, from Headingley, Leeds, enjoyed fun outings in the sports tourer for three years before the decision was made to leave it in the garage awaiting restoration.
However, the reconstruction was never completed. Now the classic vehicle heads to the auction room as an unfinished project – and there’s enough work to keep a new owner busy for a long winter.
But if they bring it back to its former glory, the fully restored Aston could be worth around £100,000 more than its estimated sale price on Saturday.
Could this be €60,000 well spent? Experts believe this dismantled classic Aston Martin could be worth almost a quarter of a million pounds if fully restored with all original parts.
The Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII Saloon from 1957 is the last of its kind produced by the British brand. And it’s one of only 199 made. The only problem is that it has been sitting in parts in this garage near Leeds for over half a century
In 1969, stripping of the car to its bare chassis began in the city of Yorkshire.
All important components were carefully removed and stored in boxes.
But when family life became the priority, the car was left untouched and sat in the garage for the next five decades.
Here in its expansive resting place it appears to have struggled to stand the test of time, with photos from Historics Auctioneers showing the car covered in dust and grime.
After the death of the owner, his family decided to part with the vehicle in a disassembled state, on the basis that all parts are accounted for to complete a complete rebuild.
Included with the Aston are several historic photos of the Aston in its former glory, the original Buff logbook, the sales invoice with correspondence from 1966 and old tax discs.
The family selling the bike – from Headingley, Leeds – said they enjoyed fun outings in the sports tourer for three years before the decision was made to take it to the garage awaiting restoration. Here it is in its former glory days
The Aston Martin was stripped to its rolling chassis and the parts put into boxes for storage ahead of a planned full restoration
However, reconstruction never took place due to other obligations. Some 54 years later it is sold as it appears at auction
This is the last of 199 versions of the Aston Martin DB2.4 Sport Saloons that rolled off the production line in 1957
Another family photo of the beautiful Aston Martin, before it was placed in the family garage for storage
It says the car has 90,683 miles on the odometer and comes with a documented history file with paperwork.
In 1957 the saloon would have cost £1,925. In today’s money that’s £57,268, according to This is Money’s Historic Inflation Calculator.
That means the original value is approximately £60,000. Historics Auctioneers expect it to be sold in its current deconstructed state.
Once fully restored, the auction house estimates the Aston Martin DB2/4 to be worth more than £160,000.
Classic car valuation experts Hagerty believe that an excellent example could sell for £142,000 on today’s market, while a DB2/4 Sport Saloon in concours condition would be worth closer to £227,000.
Given the provenance of the last example produced and the claim that it has all its original parts, if it were completely reassembled with factory accessories it could well become a quarter of a million pound asset.
Only 149 sedan models like this were made.
The remaining DB2/4s were a mix of 16 drophead compartments, 34 fixedhead compartments and four others.
Dan Godin, of Historics Auctioneers, said there is already a lot of interest in the vehicle given its incredible rarity.
He said: ‘There has been a lot of interest from the Aston Martin community, not just in the UK but internationally.
‘People love a restoration project, especially when it involves an early and original Aston Martin.’
It says 90,683 miles on the odometer, although it has driven absolutely zero in 54 years
Once fully restored, the auction house estimates the Aston Martin DB2/4 to be worth more than £160,000.
Classic car valuation experts Hagerty believe that an excellent example could sell for £142,000 on today’s market – while a DB2/4 Sport Saloon in concours condition would be worth closer to £227,000.
Considering the provenance of the last example produced, the availability of its documented history, and the claim that it has all its original parts, if it were completely reassembled with factory accessories it could well be worth a quarter of a million pounds can be.
He continued, “It is complete and has been untouched for years.
‘It is an excellent opportunity to obtain a complete example of the barn find, which is offered without reservation.’
The sale will take place on Saturday, November 25 at Mercedes Benz World at the famous Brooklands location in Weybridge, Surrey.
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