1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Spider
A year after the introduction of the DB2/4, Stanley Harold Arnolt ordered several bare chassis for Bertone bodywork. Among a few different designs, he had three of these Spyders made.
Franco Scaglione was responsible for the design at Carrozzeria Bertone. He used the flowing lines and added a sharpness by using a crease along the extremity of the the fenders. The result was distinctly Italian but didn’t lose the Aston Martin ‘look’. Later the successful design was used on Harold Arnolt’s Bristol-Bolide.
Only three Bertone Spiders were made. Two of these were prepared with minimal interiors as if they were prepared for racing. LML/505 differs with it’s more opulent interior and grill-fitted bumpers.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| body stylist | Franco Scaglione |
| coachbuilder | Carrozzeria Bertone |
| production | 3 |
| engine | DB2 Vantage Inline-6 |
| position | Front Transverse |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC |
| displacement | 2922 cc / 178.3 in³ |
| bore | 78 mm / 3.07 in |
| stroke | 90 mm / 3.54 in |
| compression | 8.2:1 |
| power | 93.2 kw / 140 bhp @ 5000 rpm |
| specific output | 47.91 bhp per litre |
| torque | 195.24 nm / 144.0 ft lbs @ 2400 rpm |
| front brakes | Girling Drums |
| rear brakes | Girling Drums |
| f suspension | Trailing Arms w/Coil over Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Radius Rods, Coil Springs |
| wheelbase | 2515 mm / 99.0 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.92:1, 1.96:1, 1.33:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~193.1 kph / 120.0 mph |
Chassis
LML/507-Displayed at the 1954 Chicago Motor Show and then was sold to Phil Stewart, one of Arnolt’s factory racing drivers. Carl Kiekhaefer later owned the car and raced it in several SCCA events in the Midwest. Later it was included Michael Schudroff’s collection and had some minor paint work done. Over the 55 year period the car had covered only 14,500 miles and still had it’s original interior. It sold at Gooding & Co.’s 2009 Pebble Beach Auction for $1,045,000 USD inclusive of buyer’s premiu
Auction Sales History
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Competition Spider – sold for €672,000 One of three built and the only known unrestored “survivor”. The only Bertone-bodied Aston Martin with known racing history. Wonderful 15,000-mile original example with exceptional patina. Single ownership for 38 years.
Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction
