A 1958 Aston Martin, which belonged to a former owner of the Marque has been 'found' and auctioned in the UK.
The 'lost' Aston Martin DB2 Image:Small World |
The Convertible DB2/4 MkIII had been hidden under a tarpaulin in a driveway, with the keys still in the ignition, for more than 30 years until it was finally put up for auction by its owner.
The car was originally owned by David Brown, who gave the DB initials to the classic luxury sports cars after buying the company in 1947. Arguably the most famous model is the DB5, which was driven by Ian Fleming's spy character James Bond, although the DB badge is still used on Aston Martins - the lastest being the DB9.
The UK auctioneers, Barons, originally placed a value of between £80,000 - £100,000 ($124-155,000) on the 'lost' car. However, two UK classic car collectors were so enthused with the vehicle, which will need total renovation, that they battled it out until the hammer finally fell on a sale price of £206,000 ($320,600).
Meanwhile another classic car marque, Bentley, owned by Volkswagen but still hand-built in Crewe in the UK, is taking parts to the US in a unique roadshow. After a successful open day in Crewe last year, which brought in a large number of US-based Bentley owners, the company decided to take more than 1000 parts to the US for a Heritage Roadshow.
Starting in Beverley Hills and including New Jersey, Texas and Florida, the roadshow will offer everything from complete V8 engine blocks to US spec owners' manuals still in their wrapping. According to Bentley, nearly 80% of all the Bentleys ever made are still in existence, many of them being driven rather than displayed. Clearly, quite a few have found their way 'across the pond'.