Aston Martin - DB2 MK1 Coupe LHD - 1952

A rare and historically significant 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Coupé, with a documented racing history, matching-numbers engine, and over €100,000 in high-quality restoration work — ready for both prestigious events and serious collectors.

Highlights
• One of only 411 DB2 Coupés produced
• Documented competition history with victories and cups from the period
• Matching-numbers engine according to the Aston Martin Heritage Certificate
• Extensive restoration with a total investment of over €100,000
• Recent in-depth restoration by renowned European specialists in all areas
• Dutch license plate with valid technical inspection
• Suitable for Mille Miglia, historic rallies and classic events

The appeal: While the later, James Bond-related GTs may have made headlines, without the DB2, they simply wouldn't exist. This is where the Aston Martin legend began. Born from David Brown's merger of Aston Martin and Lagonda, the DB2 combines Aston's sleek design and chassis with the brilliant W.O. Bentley-designed Lagonda straight-six engine.
The DB2 was Aston Martin's first true GT and formed the foundation for all subsequent models, right up to the present day. Only 411 examples were built. This particular example possesses the condition, specification, and provenance that serious collectors seek.

Legend has it that the car was discovered as a barn find in England in the 1980s. It was then fully restored with the goal of creating a competitive historic racing and hillclimb car. During this period, a roll cage was installed, weight-saving modifications were made, and the braking system was improved. As evidenced by the extensive history file, this goal was successful: the car achieved several impressive results in competitions.

In 2015, the DB2 was purchased by a well-known collector of the marque. He entrusted the car to leading European specialists, including Slebos Classic Engineering, who thoroughly inspected, renovated, and improved the car for a sum of over €55,000. The work included converting it to left-hand drive, a complete repaint in the correct Almond Green Metallic, and reupholstering the interior with beautiful tan bucket seats. According to the seller, every part showing signs of wear was replaced or overhauled, with the ultimate goal of successfully passing the Dutch inspection (MOT)—which the car now has.

This is an impressive and historically significant example of the Aston Martin DB2. It's allowed in prestigious events like the Mille Miglia, where its style and performance will effortlessly stand out among illustrious competitors. An opportunity not to be missed.

Today, this DB2 presents itself as a beautifully prepared, corrosion-free, and extremely reliable Aston Martin, suitable for both sporty road use and competition. The car is suitable for historic rallies, classic car events, and—most importantly—the Mille Miglia. Thanks to its racing history, matching-numbers engine, updated mechanicals, and recent paint, this is a formidable car for the enthusiast who wants to drive, not just display.

The car comes with the original front seat, spare parts, a full documentation file, extensive invoices, and a complete photographic restoration report. This is a unique opportunity to acquire not only one of the rarest early Aston Martins, but also one with exceptional provenance, superb mechanical condition, and an impressive racing history. The DB2 defined the Aston Martin spirit for decades—and even now, its tagline is perfectly suited: Intensity. Driven. In real terms, the total investment over the life of this car will well exceed €100,000, including the British restoration. This goes far beyond a simple refurbishment.

History and documentation
• First registration: 1952
• Discovered as a barn find in the UK in the 1980s
• Restored by an enthusiast from Stockport (UK) for historic racing and hill climbs
• Purchased in 2015 by a well-known Dutch Aston Martin collector
• Aston Martin Heritage Certificate available (confirms matching-numbers engine)
• Extensive archive with correspondence, drawings, photos, racing documents and restoration reports
• More than €55,000 invested in the Netherlands for restoration and RDW homologation
• Dutch license plate with valid technical inspection
• Suitable for historic rallies, classic events and Mille Miglia
(The extensive invoice and restoration descriptions from Aston Service Dorset, Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling, Slebos Classic Engineering, Ricambi Speciali, and Peet Classics are available in their entirety in the file and demonstrate an exceptionally high level of restoration.)

Restoration and maintenance
Aston Service Dorset (UK) – Invoice No. 80463 – £483.58
Aston Service Dorset is the factory-authorized parts supplier for early Aston Martins from the Feltham era. The work and parts supplied include:
• Front springs (2x)
• Rear springs (2x)
• International FedEx shipping and insurance
“These parts confirm that key suspension components have been updated with correctly factory-specified parts, suited to the chosen performance and rally configuration of this DB2.”

Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling (NL) – Bodywork and paintwork (2017–2018)
A series of invoices from Classic & Exclusive shows the considerable extent of the sheet metal work and finish:
Invoice 17,415 – €13,830 (excl. VAT)
• Extensive panel fabrication using an English wheel
• Reconstruction and correction of aluminum body parts
• Complete respray in Almond Green Metallic
• Preparatory work for later assembly
Invoices:
• 18,425 – €3,346.85
• 18,427 – €3,346.85
• 18,431 – €3,346.85
• 18,436 – €4,016.23
Four installment payments that reflect the phased approach to body and paint restoration.
These invoices include:
• Final design of the bodywork
• Finishing of seams and lead filling
• Precise alignment of doors, hood and trunk lid
• Applying primer, lacquer and clear coat
• Final polishing
“Collectively, these invoices undeniably demonstrate a high-quality, professional bare-metal restoration of the aluminum bodywork of this DB2.”

Slebos Classic Engineering (NL) – Invoice 2018251 – €10,291.88
The hub of recent mechanical and assembly work, Slebos Classic Engineering is one of the most respected Aston Martin specialists in the Netherlands.
The invoice includes:
• 130.5 hours of professional craftsmanship, including:
o Conversion to left-hand drive
o Reconfiguration of the steering system
o Overhaul of the brake system
o Installation of new wheels, belts, fasteners and interior controls
o Fuel lines, wiring, fittings and final adjustment
o Testing, adjustment, structural reinforcements and preparation for roadworthiness
Parts supplied:
• Used spoke wheels (correct specification)
• Engine belts
• Gearbox oil
• Fuel
• Various mounting materials
• Transportation costs
Further details are visible in the photos.
“This invoice reflects the most intensive mechanical phase of the Dutch restoration and confirms the high level of craftsmanship.”

Ricambi Speciali (NL) – Invoices for parts and electrical components
Invoice 17,098 – €1,793.92
A large order of important small parts often overlooked in restorations, including:
• Lucas indicator lenses
• Taillights
• Rubber suspensions and bushings
• Brake hoses
• Hood and trunk lid seals
• Pedals and pedal rubbers
• Clamp sets, fasteners and brackets
• Rubber per meter (bulk)
• Electrical connectors
• Special rivets and finishing clips
Invoice 2018-0106 – €5,791.18
An even more extensive order including:
• New handbrake cables (short and long)
• Windshield wipers and wiper arms
• Windshield rubber sets
• Hoses for window heating
• Fuel hoses
• Dashboard connector rings
• Complete gasket set
• Lucas switches and warning lights
• Electrical relays and mounting materials
• Speedometer cable
• Oil line to the dashboard
• RDW inspection costs
• Workshop hours
• Universal horn
• Switch and relay for the cooling system
"These invoices together demonstrate the high level of innovation and originality. While many early Aston Martin restorations rely on reusing old small parts, this car has been fitted with hundreds of new or NOS components."

Peet Classics (NL) – Interior restoration – Invoice 2018-0011 – €3,449.11
Peet Classics is known for its high-quality interior work. The invoice includes:
Rebuilding of the front seats with new fillings
Manufacturing and assembly of new leather seat coverings.
Replacement of two wooden side panels in the interior.
Welding work on frame brackets and reinforcements of the chair bases.
New interior finishing
New green carpet (per meter)
Material for interior style cladding.
Various small finishing materials
According to the seller, this work is responsible for the current exceptional interior finish.

Additional invoice – Ricambi Speciali – handwritten attachment – €356.85
A smaller parts order dated 20-10-2017, including:
Race-specific instrument components
Switching components
Hulpfittingen
Extra mounting material

Total documented Dutch expenditures.
Approximately €39,527.24
Not included.
The complete previous restoration in the UK (fully documented with photographs).
Costs for race preparation
Engine revision
Preparation for historical competitions
Thousands of working hours from the period of ownership by Cheetham.

This specific DB2 was discovered in the United Kingdom in the 1980s as an authentic barn find. The car was purchased by Mr. Cheetham from Stockport, who then began a meticulous restoration over several years, explicitly aimed at participating in historic races and hill climbs. To achieve this, both the engine and chassis were modified for improved performance, a full roll cage was installed, disc brakes with power steering were mounted at the front, and everything that added unnecessary weight was removed or replaced. The restoration and conversion process was extensively documented with numerous workshop photos, hand-drawn diagrams, and detailed invoices. The car is accompanied by a comprehensive archive containing correspondence, annotated drawings, period photographs, race documentation, and restoration reports.

The result of Cheetham's work was a very successful competition-DB2. Photos from the period show a richly filled trophy case, and the car achieved numerous victories in the hill climb circuit. Importantly, according to the Aston Martin Heritage Certificate, the car still features its original engine, now significantly improved but historically correct and fitting with the chassis.

In 2015, the DB2 was purchased by a well-known Dutch Aston Martin collector, who aimed to restore the car for high-quality street use while preserving its race-derived mechanical character. In 2019, the car was entrusted to Slebos Classic Engineering for an extensive package of work. This included manufacturing and fitting new steering components, a comprehensive mechanical overhaul, safety upgrades, and the final preparation for Dutch registration for public roads. Additionally, two perfectly fitting bucket seats, professionally restored in the Netherlands, were installed.

During this process, more than €55,000 was invested solely in the Netherlands to bring the DB2 to its current level and complete the RDW homologation. Every component showing even the slightest wear was replaced. The bodywork, originally restored in the United Kingdom, was re-inspected and finished in the correct color Almond Green Metallic. The paintwork is beautifully executed, with hand-painted racing numbers in a period-correct style. The car still features its impressive and extremely fast race specification engine, including the spectacular hand-made 'spaghetti' exhaust manifold.

The invoice history supporting these works is exceptional in scope and detail. Through Aston Service Dorset, the official parts supplier for Aston Martins from the Feltham era, the car received new front and rear springs, complemented by modified suspension components and factory-correct parts directly supplied from the United Kingdom. Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling carried out extensive aluminum sheet metal work and provided a complete professional repaint, documented in multiple phased invoices that record the entire process: metal shaping, panel correction, lead filling, primer, paint, and final finishing. Slebos Classic Engineering contributed over 130 hours of specialized craftsmanship for the conversion to left-hand drive, the fuel system, the gearbox, chassis corrections, drivetrain work, and the final setup for road use, including an extensive set of mechanical parts such as wheels, belts, fasteners, and structural materials.
Ricambi Speciali supplied a very large quantity of new electrical components, Lucas lighting, seals, gaskets, rubber mounts, connectors, fasteners, clamps, windshield wiper sets, cables, and dashboard parts. Their invoices demonstrate the exceptional level of detail in the restoration, with even the smallest parts replaced by new or NOS components that would simply be reused in many restorations. Peet Classics carried out a complete overhaul of the bucket seats with new padding, professionally fitted leather upholstery, replacement of wooden interior panels, welding on seat reinforcements, and new green interior carpet. This interior work alone represents an investment of more than €3,400.

Including all major Dutch invoices, the documented investment exceeds €39,500, excluding the British restoration, engine rebuild, competition preparation, and years of previous work. Realistically, the total investment in this DB2 over its lifetime far exceeds €100,000. The documentation fully reflects this: the car is delivered with an extensive and organized file containing drawings, handwritten notes, technical sketches, invoices, correspondence, racing memorabilia, and a thick photo album documenting the restoration from start to finish.

The condition
Professionally restored car body by Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling with extensive aluminium sheet metal.
Finished in the correct color Almond Green Metallic with hand-painted racing numbers in period-correct style.
Corrosion-free aluminum body (seller declares)
Professionally restored tan leather bucket seats with new fillings.
• New green interior carpet and renewed wooden side panels
Original front bumper included with the car.
Equipped with spoked wheels according to correct specifications.
Full roll cage, installed during competition preparation.
Dashboard equipped with period-accurate instrumentation.

Upon seeing this magnificent DB2, the buyer faces a difficult choice: to display it beautifully in a collection and admire it, or to use it for its intended purpose — driving.
It is undoubtedly a difficult decision. The characteristic lines of Frank Feeley are so natural and timeless that they have inspired countless followers. In this version, with Almond Green paint, yellow accents, and white hand-painted circles, they appear both elegant and purposeful.
Inside, the attention to detail continues. The beautifully restored tan leather bucket seats face a largely standard dashboard, with some carefully selected additions that suit the rally and racing heritage of this car.

General Information

Vehicle specifications
• Brand: Aston Martin
• Model: DB2 MK1 Coupé
Body style: Coupé
Year of construction: 1952
Engine & Performance
• Engine: 2.6-liter (2,580 cc) Lagonda inline-six engine with double overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Transmission: manual
Number of cylinders: 6
Fuel: Gasoline
Vehicle details
License plate: Dutch license plate
Mileage: 00222 km
Color: Racing Green
• Note: Margin scheme applies (VAT not deductible).

Extra Information

No COC document is required for registration within Europe for this Aston Martin due to its age.
This car is offered with a Dutch registration, which means it has been inspected and is immediately ready for the public road.
Taking photos are part of the description.
The seller can assist with worldwide transport.

The car can be viewed and picked up in Schiedam, Netherlands. All technical inspections, test drives, and viewings are possible before making an offer. For any questions, you can contact the auctioneer.