Joining the two rare Bentleys at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, as part of the H&H Classics 30th anniversary sale is a rare 1949 Aston Martin 2/2.6-Litre Sports 'DB1'. Coming from long term ownership (almost 30 years by the current vendor), it is the rarest of all the ‘David Brown’ production models and is expected to fetch between £100,000 - £140,000 on the day.

Before it came into long-term ownership, the car was completed thanks to the work of Aston Martin engineer and former racing car driver, Shaun Magee. Just one of 15 DB1 cars ever made - the eighth to be exact - it comes fitted with a 2.6-litre DOHC straight-six powerplant that was installed by Magee during the 1970s and re-bodied by the Swallow Coachbuilding Company in that same period also. It isn’t quite the finished product at present, but represents an exciting restoration project and once completed, would stroll into any concours event of its’ owners choosing.

“The car boasts a truly fascinating history and now is the time for someone else to write its next chapter. The sale will be an exceptional opportunity to breathe new life into a car that’s been an important part of motoring history and is ripe to make history again,” commented Damian Jones, senior motorcar specialist, at H&H Classics.

More information about the upcoming auction on September 20th can be found here. Bidding can be done in person, online, via telephone or by leaving a commission bid.

Words: Mike Booth
Picture: H&H Classics Ltd