Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Coupé

In 1953, Aston Martin replaced the DB2 with the much-improved DB2/4, which, from today’s point of view, should have been better called DB3 for correct counting – since in 1959 the DB4 replaced it. Compared to its predecessor, it received in all body shapes 2+2 seats, so two full-size seats in the front row and emergency seats in the rear, which are often better used as additional luggage space. For purchases and smaller travel bags, the sports car for the first time received a trunk lid integrated in the rear. Overall, Aston Martin made 1,315 copies in three series as well as in Coupé or Convertible form. But not quite, as a total of nine chassis (six of the first series and three of the second series) received coachwork bodies. Instead, Touring and Bertone built elegant Spiders out of them, while Bertone held back one chassis for the American industrialist and car importer Stanley H. ‘Wacky’ Arnolt, eventually building him a special Coupé.

‘Wacky’ Arnolt made his money with various patents he bought cheap in the 1930s and sold for much money during World War 2. From 1950, he sold mainly British cars in Chicago, for example Aston Martin, Bentley, MG, Morris, Riley and Rolls-Royce. A year later, he contractually secured Nuccio Bertone to buy 100 copies of the Bertone MG, that debuted at Turin Auto Show, as Coupé and Cabrio. In 1953 he ordered the aforementioned Aston Martin DB2/4 Spiders at Bertone. Finally, chassis number LML/765 followed as the last chassis sold by Aston Martin to Arnolt, who was now decided to be a competitor and not a customer and business partner. The reason for this were the Spiders, which he could sell for a good profit. The final vehicle became a Coupé, although today nobody is able to say which Bertone designer was responsible for its styling. Some details clearly carry the design language of Franco Scaglione.

The transformation at Bertone not only affected the elegant, sharply drawn body with its rapidly sloping roofline and long bonnet, but also the interior. Compared to the normal Aston Martin DB2/4, the Bertone Coupé got a separate, more sleek and modern dashboard. It was such a good design, that Bertone presented the originally white painted vehicle at the Turin Auto Show 1957. Together with Arnolt they planned a small series, which, however, it never came due to the rift between Aston Martin and Arnolt.

Shortly after the Auto Show in Turin, French car fan Henry Pagezy from Paris took over the car and kept it for almost 20 years. Around 1976, a sale to John G. Gyann in Chicago took place. Another 19 years later, the DB2/4 Bertone moved into the car collection of Lawrence Hoyt in San Leandro/California and eventually sometimes later into the hands of the current owner. In the course of time, an extensive restoration and repainting to classic Italian red took place. However, this happened a few years ago, so another technical revision may well be necessary. Gooding & Company is offering the one-off at their auction in Scottsdale this coming weekend and expect a hammer price between 600,000 and 800,000 US$.

Images: Gooding & Company