Aston Martin MkII Long Chassis Tourer

Aston Martin may have had a chequered start, but nobody could ever accuse them of cutting corners – quite the opposite in fact, their innate eye for quality and their refusal to compromise on design being major causes of their financial woes. The concentration on their racing programme didn’t help either, although it did promote the marque well and laid the foundations of the company’s reputation. Even at a whopping £750 for a 1500cc 2-seater in 1935, they couldn’t make money and were kept afloat by a series of wealthy backers and loyal customers.

The new range of Aston Martins were developed from the lovely, individually handmade sidevalve cars. Technical director Bert Bertelli and his partner Renwick had developed an overhead cam engine which they had trialed in an Enfield Allday chassis before the opportunity to get involved with Aston Martin came along. This tough and reliable engine was to be the basis of their range until the late 30s, with stunningly low and rakish bodywork designs coming from Bertelli’s brother, Enrico. The MkII formed the basis of the highly competitive Ulster models, which had moved away from the somewhat frail worm-drive back axles of the previous models, making this model quite possibly the prettiest and most practical pre-war Aston Martin.

One of just 148 MkII models produced, copies of the original factory service records confirm that this particular car was used in the factory display at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show. It is one of the ultra-rare models with the cut-away drivers door. Nothing more is known of its early history until it emerged in 1962 when it went through the hands of the well-known London-based vintage car dealer, Dan Margulies. He sold it to Mr Colclough of Gt. Missenden in July of that year, who in turn passed it on to a Michael Stewart of nearby Wooburn Common in May 1964. He cannot have kept it long, as it was then sold via the larger than life Soames Langton, another vintage specialist, to Mr Foden, a member of the well-known commercial vehicle family. Paying £450, he had in fact gone to purchase a 3-Litre Bentley for the same amount from Langton and Peachey, however came away with this lovely MkII instead.

During his ownership Mr Foden undertook a restoration programme on the bodywork which is detailed in invoices from Jennings Ltd. They were based in Sandbach and were generally used as coachbuilders for larger Foden products! Upon completion, Mr Foden took the car on a continental trip to Italy, following which, in 1968, Denys and Gibbs were given the task of removing the engine from the car for a thorough overhaul. The car did few further miles in his hands until it passed to the vendor who was a good friend of the Foden family. There it has remained, meaning that it is again on the open market for the first time in 47 years.

A letter on file from Mr Colclough to Mr Foden outlines that he increased the mileage from 85,000 to 87,000, it being doubtful if a further 10,000 miles have been added since. Originally grey with red leather, Foden had the car painted dark blue during its restoration and the vendor has stayed with this attractive combination, keeping as much of the original leather interior as possible. In fact all of the work carried out by the current Rolls-Royce trained engineer owner has been done with originality in mind – he even doubts whether the body has ever been removed from the chassis.

Mechanically it has new Omega pistons bored out to +0.020”. The mains and big ends have been re-metalled and a modern cartridge oil filter incorporated into the old oil filter housing. All new valves were fitted along with new oil pump gears and drive spindle whilst the water pump, fitted well prior to the car being sold by Margulies in 1962, comes from a Rolls-Royce 20, the only non-original part on the car and retained only because it is a part of the vehicle’s history. The magneto, starter and dynamo have all been serviced and the carburettors have been rebuilt. This car is fitted with its original Aston Martin gearbox (some were fitted with ENV units) which has done few miles since it was overhauled in 1968 and works perfectly.

The chassis has had new king pins and bushes installed by marque experts Ecurie Bertelli, as well as new front inner brake cables, all set up and balanced correctly. The vendor reports that all of the instruments work as they should with the exception of the fuel gauge which gives slightly misleading readings. Two new 6v batteries have also recently been fitted.

The wings are the original items and the whole body is noticeably free from scuttle shake or rattles. The weather equipment is new and includes a full set of side screens (plus storage bag), tonneau cover and of course the lovely fold flat windscreen with its removable side wind deflectors which become the aero screens. All brightwork is in superb condition. To top it all off a new set of tyres was fitted just a few miles ago.

The vendor has been working on the car on and off for a number of years and was spurred on to complete the project to use at his daughter’s wedding earlier this year. Now completed, he needs the space to rebuild his pre-war MG for competiton and has reluctantly decided to part with the Aston.

The writer had the good fortune to take the car on an extended test drive and can confirm that it drives superbly well. The 20mph gearing allows for effortless 60 – 65mph cruising, with more to come once the running-in period has been completed. The brakes are a revelation for someone used to more vintage machinery, pulling the car up sharply and in a straight line, whilst the car tracked perfectly, feeling much as it must have done when it left the factory all those years ago. Its crisp exhaust note, wonderful set of dials and spectacular view down the long bonnet makes this a most exciting car to drive, as well as a truly important vehicle thanks to its history and remarkable originality. Opportunities like this do not come along every day!