Motoring News

A 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk 1 3-litre ‘barn find’, for sale with a story every bit as colourful as its appearance, is to be offered at auction by Historics at Brooklands on June 2.

Previously owned by a farmer who took the car as payment for a bad debt in 1973, the grand tourer has since been cooped up in a chicken shed for 34 years, being driven only once when the farmer and five friends drove to a local barn dance soon after buying it.

Having thoroughly enjoyed themselves, they piled into the Coupé and roared home, but overloaded with passengers and driving somewhat enthusiastically, the farmer scared himself and consigned the car to his shed, never to drive it again.

The current vendor – who purchased the car in 2007 – vowed to retain as much of its rustic ‘barn find’ charm as possible by choosing to keep the paintwork as found.  Under the bonnet however, a £20,000 restoration retains the original sports appeal of a car capable of 118mph when it was launched*.

The engine has been rebuilt with 9.5 to 1 Omega Pistons with new liners, polished crankshaft, new mains and big ends, new chains, gaskets, valve guides and many more new parts besides.  The petrol pumps have been replaced and the petrol tank was removed, cleaned and replaced.

The exterior is presented in black coachwork with magnolia hide, black painted wire wheels, red painted grille and racing roundels, whilst the car – registration MDA 818 – is also supplied with a history file, current road fund license and MoT road test certificate valid until January 2011.

Historics’ Lot 28 represents an excellent investment potential for those looking for originality, and is expected to fetch offers in the region of £65,000 – £85,000. 

Related posts: