Aston Martin DB 2/4 LML/742 Restoration

Aston Martin DB 2/4. 1954. 3L.   Reg: 370AKP     LML/742 

The two Aston Martin DB 2/4 cars as they had been stored for the previous 30 years awaiting restoration. The car with the white bonnet is LML/50/742.

Finding the car:-


During the summer of 2008 I had a chance meeting with David Reed from DAVRON in the paddock at Silverstone during the Silverstone Classic meeting and asked him if he could keep his eye out for a Feltham car for restoration.


Somethime later David mentioned that two cars were for sale bt the owner would only sell both together. Both cars were purchased and it was a simple matter of selecting which of the two cars I would take on for restoration. The final selection was based on a more interesting and complete history, which included sprints and hill climbs with LML/50/742. This car was also in slightly better condition body wise than the other car. 


The other car LML/50/979  Reg: 11 LKM was sold to an enthusiast in Europe it is the car in the picture with the grey bonnet and white body.


Below are some pictures of both the cars when located:-

Once the cars had been moved down to DAVRON I selected the car I wanted to restore and came to an agreement with David from DAVRON on the processes and budget and time scales for the rebuild.


The car LML/50/742      was then taken to pieces to see what needed to be replaced and what could be restored and also what we needed to up grade as it was decided that the car would continue its racing/sprint/hill climb history but with the addition of road rallying so a fast rally/race engine would be required as well as safety cage etc.


The car LML/50/ 742  in pieces:-

A rig was made for the body work for easy moving and maintaining the correct body shape.

Once the car was in pieces the rig was made and the body work originally located in my garage as I intended to do the body work but due to my own work commitments with was not really an option so the job was out sourced to Andy Mitchell who has an excellent reputation for top class body work for high end historic and classic cars.

I will up date more on the body work as the work progresses over the next few months.

Building up the Chassis:-

Due to the poor condition of the bulkhead most of this was rebuilt and replaced by DAVRON. At the same time the chassis was straightened out as the car had been crashed in to a farm gate post in the 1950's which had bent the chassis, front suspension and bonnet. (The bent damaged bonnet was sold with the other car).

When we looked at the records with the car it was difficult to understand how the car had been in a crash in 1955 with the damage listed on the invoice from the period but the bonnet was perfect. We asked the long time owner of both cars about this and it was explained that he had swooped the bonnets over so as to make one good car from the two he had. This is why my car had the good bonnet from the other car and showed no damage.

Further chassis prep. work:-

Chassis and components assembly after cleaning,stripping,painting:-

The rolling chassis is now basically complete and is waiting to be married up with the body work during 2012.

Starting work on the engine rebuild:-

CSCC 1950s Sports Car & GT Challenge

This race was organised by the fifties sports car racing club (see link below) and will be organizing more races in 2012 for 50's sports cars.

This was a 30 min qualifying and a 30 min race over the full international Oulton Park circuit.

Weather clear, very warm in the morning and very hot in the afternoon with a light wind.

Qualifying :- 

Grid Position:- 3rd

Time:- 2:19.086 ( This is my best lap time at this circuit)

Pole lap time:-  2:11.940 A Sharp.

I came in on lap 7 in qualifying as the gear box was very notchy and 2nd and 3rd did not sound very good so my plan was to save it for the race just in case of gearbox failure.

Trying to keep the car cool. 

I did not realize how small the DB2 was compared to modern day cars the roof height is only just level with the bottom of the side windows.

Preparing for the race post qualifying

Jonathan sorting out the front brakes

The Race:-

Final Position:- 3rd overall.

Best Lap Time:- 2:19.688

Fastest Lap:- 2:15.421 A Sharp.

Total Race time for me was:- 31:45.114

I had a good start but Jim Campbell overtook on the inside going into the first corner but I was able to get back in front of him going into Island Bend and started to chase the leading DB2 of Andy Sharp and the Ferrari of Stuart Anderson. I was able to keep them insight but no chance of catching up.

The race was very enjoyable and the track dry and hot, but in the previous race a car put down a large amount of oil Brittens down to Knickerbrook all on the racing line.

Overall the lap times were down on qualifying for most of the drivers I think mainly due to the very high air and track temperatures and I did notice a little reduction in performance in the race compared to qualifying.

Stuart 2nd and me 3rd The winners/winner was in the next race.

Filling in for the winners (A Sharp and C Adams)

Pictures from the paddock

RAC Woodcote Trophy (Spa 6hrs) 2011

Our paddock from next F1 building

Jag section

Qualifying:-


Car:- Aston Martin DB2 Le Mans Lightweight 1951 (spec)

Friday 40 min Qualifying 9.30am

Weather Clear and cool, Bright with no wind.

Best Lap: 3.31

Grid Position: 31

Car handled very well but would not rev past about 4,500 in 3rd and would not pull in 4th gear so the two big straights caused major damage to lap times.

Race 1 hour (1 or 2 drivers):-

A long way back 31st on grid of 34.

10.30am warm, bright, no wind.


Best Lap:- 3.24


Finishing Position:- 23rd


Class Position:- 7th

Getting closer again

The car ran very well but a little slow picking up in 3rd gear I did not bother with 4th as the car is not powerful enough.


I over took several cars on the first lap with the intention of catching up with the other Astons as I had a slow qualifying time. By the end of the first lap I was right behind an Aston 2/4 but could not get past. I was faster in the slower windy parts of the track but could not keep up along the straights.


I finally decided to go for it coming into Les Combe but braked too late and missed the corner although I got passed I gave the position back. I continued to press but with no success.


I pitted in lap 10 but when I came out I was about 1500m behind with Aston I had been chasing so over the last 7 or 8 laps I slowly closed in and finally got within about 100m by the chequered flag.

Pit stop Steve asking about lunch

I lost the 12secs in 3 areas a slow in lap by me a fast out lap by the Aston driver and a slower pit stop all of which added up to12 secs and made it hard but enjoyable work to try and catch up.


I pressed the car in the windy parts as much as I could to make up for the lack of power down the straights and this has helped me to understand the car better.

Overall a very enjoyable race with my best lap time in the DB2 Le Mans.

Thanks to all the Wren Sport Team for their race support and encouragement.

Finally I was glad to see that like me Steve also waves to the apex of a corner as it goes by ( video and photographic evidence available by request).

On Track and Pit shots:-

Cooper Monaco 2nd in Class (Masters Race)

Looking for a Apex

Waving good bye.

Pit Crew with Calendar

Eau Rouge

General Paddock Views:-

DB4

XK140

DB2

330 GTO

Cobra

DB3 Class winner

My next car.

Gold Cup Woodcote Trophy Race 2011

Legends Woodcote Trophy Race 2011

DB2 Le Mans

Weather cool, windy and wet with some heavy rain.

50 minute race over the full circuit with 45 sec mandatory pit stop.

Legends Hospitality the only dry place.

Qualifying:- windy and damp.

Best lap         2.22.941

Grid position 19

Not a great position but the car ran well and I was taking it easy.

The Race:-  Fine rain at the start but with a dry track for 10 laps followed by heavy rain.


Best Lap 2.19.752


Classification:  19th

Class position: 6th.

2580cc engine

The car in the race was not quite as lively as I think I may have oiled a plug which took the edge of the performance particularly between 3,000 & 4,500 RPM.

We put extra fuel in the car 85L which was to much and made the car heavy which was a mistake as I could not keep up at the start of the race. As the fuel weight reduced the car was getting quicker and I was making some ground on the cars in front.

During the pit stop I was able to lap frog a few cars and tried to make up lost ground after the pit stop. As I came onto the track after the pit stop the rain started, but I was able to keep up a reasonable pace, until the rain fell very heavily and I slowed dramatically as I could not see.

The track became very wet and was oily and was incredibly slippery and I went off sideways at Druids but managed to regain control going across the grass then through the gravel trap, back onto the grass and finally on to the straight and continued .

Overall a reasonable race and learned more about the cars handling in the wet and also about tyre pressures.

Early video footage of the race before the rain.

Next race Spa

Brands Hatch AMOC Historic Championship

AMOC Pre 60 & Historic Championship


DNS

Weather was warm and sunny.

We did not run the Aston Martin 2/4 MKII at this meeting.