1930 | Aston Martin International

Lot details

Year: 1930
Make: Aston Martin
Model: 2/4 International Open Bodied Sports
Registration: GO 825
Chassis No: JO/78
Engine No: tba
Mileage: tba

Fantastic restoration opportunity

Desirable 2/4 seater example

With more short chassis cars than tourers being produced in 1929, the efforts of the Aston Martin Works were clearly going towards the sports end of the market. By the end of the year the 'Standard Sports Model' had developed into the 'Four-seater "International" Sports Model', more commonly known simply as the "International". It was quickly and widely regarded as one of the best light sports cars of the day. The appearance of the cars at Brooklands racetrack and in rallies, sprints and hill climbs all around the country alongside the works team cars, increased the cars' sporting reputation. The "International" was expensive but performance was good enough for the motoring press to praise the car highly. A significant amount of advertising was placed in the popular motoring press highlighting competition successes.

The four-seater "International" Sports was built on the short chassis, most of the first series cars were bodied by E. Bertelli Ltd. The standard "International" coachwork was a slightly perpendicular open 2/4-seater, with minimal space in the back for passengers. It was characterized by a rather high profile stemming from a tall 'wet case' radiator (the shell forming the water tank) which was further emphasized by the 21" wheels. The fuel tank was enclosed beneath the rear of the body and the spare wheel bracketed on to the body at the extreme rear. The exhaust system was taken from the cylinder head in a simple manifold with the downpipe going down inside the bonnet to the tail pipe and exhaust box below the car. The windscreen folded forward from the base, not flat onto the scuttle (with the exception of the "International Le Mans" model).

The engine, a Renwick &Bertelli designed overhead camshaft four-cylinder eight valve engine with dry sump as per the 'Standard Sports Model' had a power output approximately 60 bhp at 4,750 rpm. With twin SU 1⅛" side draught carburettor, Magneto ignition and two 'Autopulse' fuel pumps mounted on the rear of the chassis. Aston Martin designed a 4-speed crash gearbox with straight cut gears, constant mesh main shaft and layshaft, dog clutch fourth speed and reverse. Performance was brisk! approximately 80 mph and the price new in 1932 was circa £595.

Originally purchased and registered in April 1931 to a W.H. Birmingham of Pyford near Woking, Surrey, this International 2/4-S passed to Viscount Curzon (later sixth Earl Howe) who was a known racing driver and Vice-Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, director of Automobile Proprietary Ltd., Motoring Services Ltd., and a member of the RAC Public Policy Committee, the British Motor Sport Council. AMOC records show that GO 825 was never raced and thus presumably used on the road by the Viscount.

In 1950 AMOC records show that a Mr R.G. Phillips in Cardiff owned GO 825 before the buff logbook shows Mr Gregory purchased it in Wimbledon in July 1952. Later Mr Norman and Mr Todd both owned the car in 1957, both residing in Surrey before Todd sold it to PO W.P. Dymund of RAF Debdon, however he also owned the car for less than a year before our vendors father Dr N. Powers of Cambridge purchased the car. He eventually moved to Binstead on the Isle of White with the car and has owned until his passing recently.

The 1931 Registration document lists the car as cream with maroon but in 1957 the colour changed to green, the colour still found on the body today. The car has been in the Powers family for 65 years and his daughter had hoped to restore it with her father. The car, even in its current state will be missed by the family but unfortunately, they are unable to undertake the restoration themselves. An open bodied sports car in 2/4 configuration as denoted in the AMOC records. The original books and the International information are also available as collected by Dr Powers over his ownership.

When Dr Powers passed away, the car was in two separate locations, but it has now been bought together and catalogued as you can see on the Historics website. The car is believed to be a fairly complete but requiring full and detailed restoration. The chassis number can be found stamped on the chassis but sadly the original chassis plate is not present. The items will all be at the auction location for collection with a selection of parts on display, with a pull photo catalogue reflecting that of the website to ascertain what is included in the sale.

Included with the Lot are AMOC documents from the car's early history and photos of the car in its original state, Buff logbooks and some later invoices from Dr Powers Tenure. A fantastic and unique opportunity to own and restore an Aston Martin International with known history from new. Consigned by Mathew Priddy

Guide Price £25,000-£35,000

For more information on this lot please email mrp@historics.co.uk