Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Drophead Coupé

While much is written about the partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato, the cooperation with Bertone is less well known. Even the collaboration with Touring on the DB4, DB5 and DB6 is known to more car fans than the few custom bodies created at Bertone. For example, only two Drophead Coupés with Italian bodies were built on the basis of the DB2/4. For collectors, these are nowadays very special examples of the early David Brown era.

Six DB2/4s with Bertone bodies

The car with chassis number LML/506 left the Aston Martin factory as a rolling chassis on June 9, 1953. On November 16 of the same year it reached Bertone, where one of two Drophead Coupés was built on this basis. The other one bears the chassis number LML/504. In addition, there were also three Spiders from Bertone with a design by Franco Scaglione as well as a Coupé. The latter probably also was styled by Scaglione. For the Drophead Coupé, Nuccio Bertone turned to Giovanni Michelotti, who was also under contract to him at the time.

Both Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Drophead Coupés were ordered through British Motor Car Distribution in California. This dealer delivered LML/506 to opera singer Edith Field, who was performing at the San Francisco Opera, on November 12, 1954. She proudly displayed her new Aston Martin at the 1955 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, placing third in her class. Over time, a few more owners in the USA followed before the car made its way to the UK in the early 2000s. There, a restoration to concours-worthy condition took place in 2006. This lasted until 2011, after which the car made its debut at the AMOC Autumn Concours at Chavenage House. There it won first prize in the Feltham Astons class.

LML/506 at Gooding & Co.

After this success, the Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Drophead Coupé moved back to a collector in the USA. Today, this car inspires not only by its excellent condition in blue metallic with cream white leather. The extensive documentation of its history and the restoration work carried out as well as the original tool kit in the trunk are also exceptional details. Gooding & Co. offers this vehicle in January at its Scottsdale Edition online auction. They didn’t yet provide details on the expected hammer price.

Images: Gooding & Co.