Aston Martin DB2/4
The Aston Martin DB2 / 4 was a sports car that was offered by Aston Martin from 1953 to 1959. Its construction was based on the model DB2 it replaced. However, it was designed as a 2 2- seater, and thus had an additional two jump seats in the rear. As one of the first vehicles in the car had a new tailgate. Other changes were a panoramic windscreen, larger bumpers and staggered headlights. As with the previous model, there was also a convertible, and a few, built by Bertone Spider.
Mark I
The Lagonda six-cylinder had initially the same, designed by WO Bentley twin cam engine, as was used in the Vantage version of DB2. The displacement of the VB6E machine was 2580 cc, the Power 125 bhp (92 kW). From the middle of 1954 they built the VB6/J-Motor with 2922 cc and 140 bhp (103 kW), which accelerated the car up to 192 km / h.
With a wheelbase of 2511 mm, the vehicles were 4300 mm long, 1650 mm wide and 1360 mm high. The curb weight was 1179 kg. 102 copies of a total of 565 Mark I models were designed as a convertible. One appeared ( The Birds ) in the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds.
Three works cars in 1955 provided for the Monte Carlo Rally, and two for the Mille Miglia, but the company has focused more on the use of the racing car model DB3.
Mark II
Launched in 1955 Mark II model had an optional engine with larger valves, which developed 165 bhp (121 kW). Further changes amounted to little tail fins, bubble-shaped rear lights like the Hillman Minx and additional chrome trim. A two-seat coupe was also new to the market; The Cabriolet was still built. From a total of 199 Mark II models only 30 were built as a coupe.
Three Mark II chassis was sent to the Carrozzeria Touring in Italy, in order to develop Spider models. Touring later helped Aston Martin with the " Superleggera " in the construction of the model DB4.
A crucial change behind the scenes look at the introduction of the Mark II was the transfer of responsibility for the bodywork from the factory to the Feltham Tickford Coach Building Works in Newport Pagnell. David Brown bought these works in 1954 and moved the production launch of the DB4, the entire production there.
Mark III
1957 Model DB 2/4 Mark III was - often only DB Mark III or Mark III called - introduced. It had the more developed 2.9 - liter engine of the Mark II Other changes involved the grille, which now resembled that of the model DB3 / S, a new dashboard and the possibility to install Girling disc brakes. Also new were the hydraulic clutch, optional overdrive Laycock -de- Normanville or - also on request - an automatic transmission. Steering and drive axles construction were taken over from the predecessor. The tail fins were also modified so that the taillights of the Humber Hawk could be used.
For assumed by the Mark II Standard Motor DBA dual exhaust was available as an option, the 178 bhp (131 kW) allowed to increase engine performance. Thus equipped the car reached 100 km / h in 9.4 s and drove 192 km / h fast. An optionally available high- performance machine, type DBB, with three Weber carburettors, sharper camshaft and dual exhaust reached 195 bhp (143 kW ), but is less common than the DBD - machine in the medium output range of 180 bhp (132 kW).
Girling disc brakes were all Mark III from the 101 copy as basic equipment. Many cars have been retrofitted previously manufactured.
With a wheelbase of 2515 mm, the vehicles were 4356 mm long, 1651 mm wide and 1360 mm high. The curb weight was 1270 kg.
Of a total of 551 copies only five were built with automatic transmission.
A report in the magazine Road & Track in 1959 praised the car much, but blamed its high price of 7,450 U.S. $. " The Aston Martin has many advantages and few errors. " The latter included a stiff steering, high sill and low maneuverability. No mention was the new combi coupe hatchback design and folding rear seats, which was already introduced in the Mark I in 1953.
There were, like the previous model, again offered coupe and convertible variants. Five coupe 's with DBB machine and 84 convertibles were produced. Both variants had no tailgate but a conventional boot lid.
In the novel Goldfinger, James Bond drives an Aston Martin DB Mark III. However, there the car is incorrectly referred to as DB III. It is the only car in the James Bond novels, which is provided with special equipment. In the film, which came out half a decade later, an Aston Martin DB5 was used.
Production
- Mark I: 565 piece it convertibles: 102 piece
- Which Bertone Spider: 4 or 5 pieces
- Them coupes: 34 pieces
- It convertibles: about 16 pieces
- Thereof Touring Spider: 3 piece
- It convertibles: 84 Pieces them with DBA Motor: 68 pieces
- Them with DBB Motor: 2 pieces
- Them with DBD Motor: 14 pieces