Aston Martin DB2

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Aston Martin DB2
FR layout
RelatedAston Martin DB3
Powertrain
Engine2.6 L Lagonda I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase99 in (2,500 mm)[2]
Length162.5 in (4,130 mm)[2]
Width65 in (1,700 mm)[2]
Height53.5 in (1,360 mm)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor2-Litre Sports "DB1"
SuccessorAston Martin DB2/4

The Aston Martin DB2 is a

dual overhead cam 2.6 L Lagonda straight-6 engine in place of the previous overhead valve engine straight-four engine. It was available as a closed, 2-seater coupé which Aston Martin called a sports saloon, and later also as a drophead coupé
, which accounted for a quarter of the model's total sales. The closed version had some success in racing.

Development and racing

In 1947

pushrod 2.0 L straight-four in the Aston Martin 2-Litre Sports, was the main objective in Brown's acquisition of the company. W. O. Bentley had supervised the engine's design, which was largely by William (Willie) Watson, an engineer with the pre-war Invicta
company who had collaborated on Lagonda's pre-war V12 and also designed the short-lived post-war version.

In its original form the Lagonda straight-6 had a 78 mm (3.07 in) bore and 90 mm (3.543 in) stroke, and produced about 105 hp (78 kW) with dual SU carburettors. The DB2 utilized it in a shortened version of the tube-frame chassis designed by Claude Hill for the Aston Martin 2-Litre Sports, with a fastback coupé body designed by Frank Feeley.

Three pre-production cars were entered for the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans. One, which would become the development car for the production DB2, had the Lagonda straight-6, while the four-cylinder Aston Martin 2-litre unit powered the other two. After six laps the Lagonda-powered car, driven by Leslie Johnson, retired with overheating caused by failure of the water pump. One of the 2-litre cars was in 4th place and running without brakes when it crashed two hours short of the finish, fatally injuring driver Pierre Maréchal. The other finished 7th, crewed by Arthur Jones and Nick Haines. A month later, the larger-engined car, driven by Leslie Johnson and Charles Brackenbury, finished 3rd in the Spa 24-hour race, where one of the 2-litre cars was driven to 5th by Nick Haines and Lance Macklin.

For 1950 all three factory team cars were equipped with the Lagonda engine. At the

Sebring race meeting in December 1950. The factory team cars continued racing in Europe throughout 1951, including at Le Mans, where Macklin and Eric Thompson took 3rd overall, with Abecassis and Brian Shawe-Taylor
5th.

David Brown soon embarked on a series of Aston Martins designed specifically for competition use, starting with the DB3.

Production

The DB2 debuted at the

New York Auto Show
in April 1950 and continued in production until April 1953, by which time 411 had been made. The first 49 had a chrome-framed front grille in three separate parts, and large rectangular cooling vents in the front wings. Subsequent cars had a one-piece grille with horizontal chrome slats, and no side vents.

The single-piece bonnet was hinged at the front. At the rear of the fixed-head coupé (FHC) a small top-hinged lid gave access to the spare wheel, and luggage space was behind the front seats, accessible only from inside the car.

Later in 1950, a Drophead Coupé (DHC) variant was introduced. At least 102 were built.[3]

In April 1950, an engine with larger

Pool petrol".[4]
The first DB2 Vantage, LML 50/21, was delivered to, and raced by, Briggs Cunningham in the United States.

Performance

A closed coupé tested by the British magazine

The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of 116.4 mph (187.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 11.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20 miles per imperial gallon (14 L/100 km; 17 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1914 including taxes.[2]

  • The fourth and last DB2 prototype, built in 1949 for David Brown's personal use
    The fourth and last DB2 prototype, built in 1949 for David Brown's personal use
  • Aston Martin DB2 straight-6 engine
    Aston Martin DB2 straight-6 engine
  • The Aston Martin DB2 closed coupé body was a fastback design by Frank Feeley
    The Aston Martin DB2 closed coupé body was a fastback design by Frank Feeley
  • 1951 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé
    1951 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé
  • 1953 Aston Martin DB2 competition quasi-Vantage
    1953 Aston Martin DB2 competition quasi-Vantage

References

  1. ISBN 1-870979-39-7
    .
  2. ^
    The Motor
    . 27 September 1950.
  3. ^ Serio, Steve (August 2010). "1950 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage Coupé". Sports Car Market. 22 (8): 58–59.
  4. ^ "Aston Martin DB2 Sports Saloon (road test)". Autocar. 21 April 1950. With the 6.5 to 1 ratio in the car tested not the slightest sign of pinking or running-on was experienced on 72 octane Pool fuel under any circumstances; with the 8.2 ratio a higher octane fuel would be necessary or highly desirable.

Further reading

  • "Aston Martin DB2". AstonMartins.com. Retrieved 23 June 2005.
  • AMOC register for production dates and information on Willie Watson

External links

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