Aston Martin was keen to impress upon prospective customers that its new DB2 would maintain the marque’s motorsport heritage with period brochures proudly listing the firm’s on-track successes. Employing a lightweight steel tubular frame chassis dressed in aluminium panels coach built by Mulliners of Birmingham, the svelte Sports Saloon lived up to the legacy. In the 1950 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, DB2s claimed the lap and distance record for 3-litre cars in addition to scoring 1st and 2nd place in class. Come that year’s prestigious Tourist Trophy, the model went a step further by locking out the class podium.

The DB2 offered here, chassis LML/50/264, was originally delivered on 8 December 1952, per an accompanying copy of the guarantee form. Notably, it is listed as being factory-equipped with a 2.6-litre twin-overhead camshaft Vantage engine (originally designed by W.O. Bentley) that increased power from 107 to 125 brake horsepower. While just 313 Sports Saloon body examples were built between 1950 and 1953, this car was configured in even rarer left-hand-drive form. Accordingly, it was first imported to Mexico by the Autos Europeos dealership so was therefore specified with a speedometer reading in kilometres rather than the more typical miles per hour.

Originally finished in Bottle Blue with red piping to complement a grey interior and matching head lining, the DB2 was first owned by Mr Guy Fontaine and remained in Mexico for its next two keepers. While little is known about the intervening years, it was purchased in the 2010s as a restoration project before being acquired by The Best of British Collection in May 2014.

Presented today in cream, chassis LML/50/264 is a prime candidate for a complete rebuild. Thereafter, it would make for a glamorous cruiser ideally suited to touring continental roads.