Aston Martin’s first successful post-war production car was the DB2. It used engineering principles from both Aston Martin and Lagonda after David Brown purchased both companies in 1947. It became the first successful David Brown Aston Martin and set a trend for many more incredible cars.

Equiped with an impressive list of features, the Aston Martin could be considered the best British sports car available in 1950. Laurence Pomeroy wrote for Motor in October 1950 “It would appear that every so often the gods pass over some works or another and with an inclination of the head inspire the production of a car with outstanding virtues. The Aston Martin DB2 stands worthy in the pedigree of real motor cars stretching back through the 4 ½ Bentley to the 30/98 Vauxhall.”

Engineering for the DB2 was first set out with the 2-Litre Sports Aston Martin’s first post-war sports car. It had a tubular steel chassis and distinctive two-seat tourer body designed by Frank Freeley. Engineer Ted Cutting shortened the this chassis and fitted Lagonda’s highly acclaimed 2.3 liter engine. A highlight was the four-wheel coil-spring suspension and a well braced chassis with triangulation and upper side-rails.

Some of the very first DB2s were prepared for the track. Three interim models were entered for the first post-war 24 hours of LeMans in 1949. Unfortunately, disaster struck, and a fatal crash that killed works driver Pierre Marechal. Soon after LeMans race, a production DB2 was launched at the New York Motor show.

Production versions were very similar to the works racing cars which had a Lagonda 2.6 liter engine, an improved DB1 space frame, stressed aluminum bodywork and the same overall appearance.

During its release at the 1950 New York motor show, the DB2 offered performance of a Lemans race car with the comforts of a highway tourer. The only car British car offering similar performance during that period was the affordable Jaguar XK120. This caught the attention of visitors to the show and 100 cars were ordered during the car’s launch.

Phil Hill tested one of the cars and said “the Aston handles as well as any sports car I’ve driven, far better than any passenger car…the DB2 handles like a dream and is a lot of fun to drive.”

During a three year production run DB2s sold as fast as Aston Martin could produce them. A total of 339 coupes and 102 drop head were manufactured. In later years, Aston offered a more potent Vantage version and the DB2/4, a longer more spacious car which had a boot and two rear seats.

The DB2, in all its forms, was replaced by the DB4 launched in 1959. Leading up to the DB4, the DB2 was enlarged into the DB2/4 and Drophead Coupés were offered on all examples.

Story by Richard Owen