Aston Martin DB2 Prototype 1949

By motoring writer – Daniel Matthews

1947, David Brown purchased Aston Martin and its Lagonda sibling (for the use of its W. O. Bentley-designed straight-six engine). From there Aston Martin produced the 2-Litre Sports, affectionately nicknamed as the ‘DB1’ – this was the first car of the ‘DB’ line that still continues today, although not being named as such. The DB1 used a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but after only 15 had been produced, production ended to focus on a new car with the six.

1949 saw three ‘DB2’ pre-production cars entered into the Le Mans 24 Hours. These cars used a shortened version of the tube-frame chassis designed by Claude Hill for the DB1 but now had a fastback body penned by Frank Feeley – two had four-cylinder engines, and one used the new Lagonda six-cylinder. David Brown himself wanted one of the first truly ‘modern’ Aston Martins, so the car here, chassis LML/49/4, was registered ‘UMC 272’ in April 1949, and used by him as both his personal car and a promotional vehicle for Aston Martin. In 1950, a full competition programme for the DB2 started, overseen by John Wyer, and achieved an excellent 5th overall at Le Mans with ‘VMF 64’ (chassis LML/50/8) driven by George Abecassis and Lance Macklin. Now owned by Macklin, ‘UMC 272’ went to Italy to be fitted with Weber carburettors and continued to have success that season, with a works-backed 4th overall at the Coppa Intereuropa at Monza, and entrance into the Targa Florio.

Despite a good start (he was hot on the heels of Alberto Ascari in his V12-powered Ferrari 195S), the combination of wet weather and one of the world’s most challenging routes spelt disaster. Crashing down a ravine, Macklin retired from the race, and ‘UMC 272’ was brought back to the works for repair. Macklin had already entered the Mille Miglia, but couldn’t quite get to the start on time, so caught up with the competitors around six hours into the event! Macklin and co-driver John Gordon enjoyed a spirited drive until the turning for Genoa, where they continued onto Macklin’s mother’s residence in Monte Carlo. ‘UMC 272’ was subsequently sold to cover the cost of the repairs and received a new engine by the works.

‘UMC 272’ received a full restoration by the works between 1991 and ’92 and only emerged from long-term private ownership in 2010. It has since participated in the 2010 Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, 2010 Mille Miglia, 2012 Kuwait Concours d’Elegance, 2013 Aston Martin Centenary Timeline, 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and, where it is photographed here, the 2016 Concours of Elegance. Since the photo was taken, ‘UMC 272’ was sold by Gooding & Company at their Amelia Island 2017 sale, selling for $1.54 million – a small price to pay for all of the history.