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Feltham Cars (1948-1959)
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  For the 1949 Le Mans 24 hour race, Aston Martin produced three new cars based on a shortened DB1 chassis with stylish fastback coachwork designed by Frank Feeley. One of these cars was powered by the new 2.6 litre six cylinder, twin overhead cam engine by Willie Wilson (under the supervision of W.O.Bentley) also acquired when David Brown purchased the Lagonda company a year before. Although it failed to finish the race, this car is regarded as the prototype for the production DB2 which was unveiled to the public at the New York Motor Show in April 1950.
The 2 seater aluminium coachwork was very advanced for the time and featured a huge front hinged bonnet which allowed excellent access to the engine. And the DB2 had sufficient room for luggage behind the rear seats, although access to the 'boot' was through the driver and passenger doors. The small flap at the back wasn't a boot lid at all since it only allowed access to the spare wheel.
Initially with a power output of 105 bhp, the light coachwork allowed for a top speed of around 110 mph; with the optional 'Vantage' 125 bhp engine, the DB2 was quicker still. In addition to the closed body, the DB2 was also available as an attractive drophead coupe. Sales of the car were very strong indeed, with 411 examples built over a production run of three years although due to post-war austerity measures in the UK, many were sold overseas.
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Apr 09, 2012
