- Review Centre
- Motoring
- Car Reviews
- Aston Martin Main Page
- Aston Martin DB2
Aston Martin DB2 is a classic sports car coupe which achieved considerable success on the track. It was also the first of Astons famous DB series of road race cars to be sold with those famous initials. The DB2 production sports car was first shown in April 1950 at New Yorks Motor Show where it created a lot of interest in the racing world. The Aston Martin DB2 was considered to be a major advancement over the Aston Martin 2-litre sports car it replaced; and demand was so high that the firm was not capable of building enough cars to keep up with the initial high demand. Eventually, during its three years production run, 411 Aston Martin DB2s were built. These included 102 drop-head coupe versions. The Aston Martin DB2 was available as both an Aston Martin Coupe - 2 door model and an Aston Martin DB2 Convertible (also a 2 door). It was only sold by Aston Martin as a production car from 1950-1953.
The Aston Martin DB2 was a turning point for the Aston Martin firm, its massive success in racing, helping to set up Aston Martin for a bright future. The success of the DB2 race cars during the 1950 Le Mans 24 hour race, just off the production line, made the Aston Martin DB2 a very attractive proposition to every post-war sports car enthusiast. Even though demand was high after its debut in New York, the second, third, and fourth DB2 models produced were taken by Team Aston to compete at Le Mans. Two ended up finishing first and second in class that year and all three continued to race the next year. Their success brought fame to Aston Martin, and convinced them to begin a series of specially-built racing models, starting with the DB3.
The Aston Martin DB2 engine at 2.6 L was larger than its predecessor. The early Aston Martin DB2s featured a three part grille similar to that of the DB1 and a large rectangular side vent behind each front wheel plus bright trim along the side under the door. The Straight Six engine which was used came from the Lagonda company, Aston Martin owner David Brown having bought it, especially for this purpose. The Lagonda engine was originally designed by Walter Owen Bentley, founder of another famous British auto company, Bentley Motors, along with engineer Willie Wilson.
Although 411 DB2s were produced from their 1950 launch until 1953 the first 49 cars were different, using a square three-part grille, in front, with large rectangular side vents. This was soon updated with the more familiar rounded, integrated Aston Martin grille with the horizontal slats. The three racing models were similarly upgraded to show the new Aston look. The Aston Martin DB2 was also a fixed coupe with a small top-hinged boot in back used to store the spare wheel. Luggage space was behind the front seats and accessible from inside the car. A large single-piece bonnet was hinged at the front, helping to give the car its distinctive look. In 1950, the Drophead Coupe variant was produced; and in 1951 Aston Martin offered an optional engine with larger carburetors, as the first Vantage upgrade. This was an engine power-only upgrade, offering 125 hp. The bigger carburetors were also joined by increased 8.2 to 1 compression ratio, making the DB2 even quicker. Access to the Vantage engine was made easy via the massive front-hinged bonnet.
