Heroshot

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4

Drophead Coupe by Bertone
Gooding & Company goes online for Scottsdale 2021
Monday, 18 January - Friday, 22 January 2021
$968,000
Sale Price
$1,000,000 - $1,400,000
Est. Range
Yes
Reserve
22 January 2021
Sold Date
41
Lot Number
#1-
Older restoration
Gooding & Company
Auction House
Chassis no. LML506; Engine no. VB6E50337. Metallic blue/gray with blue cloth top over parchment leather. 2580/125hp dohc inline six, dual SU carburetors, chrome wire wheels, Michelin Pilote 6.00x16 tires, tool kit, copy build sheet, BMIHT certificate.

Evaluation: One of two believed in this style and a total of eight Bertone-bodied DB2/4s built for ‘Wacky’ Arnolt. First owned by Mrs. Edith C. Field in San Francisco and displayed by her at Pebble Beach in 1955 where they won third place in class. Later acquired by GP driver Innes Ireland, then by David Clark in 1988. Restored a decade ago but still show quality with a beautiful engine compartment, strong details, and excellent paint with a few small flaws and nicks but barely anything for the restoration’s age.

Bottom Line: Sold by Bonhams at Goodwood in July 2011 for $974,646 (GBP 606,500 at the time), then by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2017 for $1,430,000. This result, should anyone wish to compare it with 2011, is GBP 707,300 which demonstrates the frustrating effect of exhange rates in comparing auction results. It’s not one of Bertone’s best designs (the interpretation of the Aston Martin grille is nothing if not awkward) but it is distinctive and rare. Today the odometer at 373 miles is only 231 more than it showed in 2017 and the restoration is starting to show its age. Bidding was at $870K with 1 3/4 hours to go and advanced only one more increment to timed closing. The consignor and the bidders seemingly reached an intelligent compromise in the final minutes.

by Rick Carey
2 February 2021

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More on this topic

Hagerty Insider Newsletter

Your weekly dose of auction reports, market analysis, and more.

Thank You!
Your request will be handled as soon as possible
Hagerty Insider Newsletter
Your weekly dose of auction reports, market analysis, and more.
Share
Condition definitions
Condition #1:
Condition #2:
Condition #3:
Condition #4:
Condition #5:
Condition #6: