Like all British car manufacturers, Aston Martin was left to pick up the ashes at the end of World War II and try their best to get back on their feet. Luckily, the company was rescued from liquidation by an industrialist by the name of David Brown. While the first post-war Aston, the 2-Litre Sports, only found 14 buyers, the car that followed would be a resounding success, with its W.O. Bentley-designed six-cylinder engine appropriated from Lagonda, which Brown acquired in parallel with Aston Martin.

The DB2 was introduced in 1949 in prototype form, and it incorporated everything that anyone could ever want from a sports car at the time; in addition to the pedigreed twin-cam six, it featured gorgeous aluminum bodywork that could be acquired in either coupe or drophead body styles. The next model was named the DB2/4, in reference to the occasional rear seating found below a folding panel. By 1957, 1,175 DB2s and DB2/4s had been sold, as the company was still a boutique operation. Then, the final and most sophisticated version of the line, often just called “DB Mark III,” added 551 units to the total by 1959.

This final DB2-series iteration is central to Aston Martin’s heritage, as it is the first production Aston Martin to feature the marque’s now trademark grille, which appeared on later versions of the legendary racer, the DB3S. Inside the cabin, the grille’s shape was mirrored by the car’s dashboard, and designers chose to place the instruments directly in front of the driver. The updated “DBA” engine benefitted from a stiffer block, stronger crankshaft, high-lift camshafts, and bigger valves, and it would be the final evolution of the W.O. Bentley-derived powerplant. Perhaps the biggest improvement to the Mk III over the early DB2/4s was the eventual addition of front disc brakes, a first for any road going Aston Martin and well ahead of most of its larger competitors.

This rare factory left-hand-drive DB2/4 Mk III Drophead’s early history is not known, but it was found after a long period of static storage and acquired in the early 2000s as a restoration project. The car still exhibited great potential and was entrusted to the Aston Martin specialists at Kevin Kay Restorations (KKR) for a complete body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration. Completed in 2010, absolutely no expense was spared in making this DB2/4 one of the very finest examples in existence, and the results speak for themselves. Looking to upgrade the car for increased performance and drivability, it was fitted with triple SU carburetors (a factory option over the standard dual carburetors), the optional dual exhaust system, and a KKR-developed five-speed manual gearbox conversion to make for relaxed high-speed cruising. Restoration receipts from KKR, totaling over $422,000, are on file and will be included with the car.

Just prior to the completion of the restoration, the Aston Martin was purchased by its current owners, northern California-based collectors who have exercised and beautifully preserved and maintained the car ever since at KKR. The car presents as absolutely breathtaking in its highly compelling Aston Green metallic with rich green upholstery and darker green convertible roof. Factory-optional Borrani wire wheels add panache and a visual counterpoint. The paintwork is nearly flawless, and the interior presents just as well, with ever-so-slight creasing on the driver’s seat from routine exercise. Including a fresh service and show detail by KKR, the car is complete with an original jack, full tools, and a reproduction owner's handbook. Its restoration presents as well today as it did the day it was completed, and it would certainly please the most discerning of Aston Martin aficionados looking for a concours-ready DB2-series Drophead Coupe that is more than ready for a delightful road trip.