1937 Aston Martin 15/98 4-door saloon.
Chassis D7/754/LS was supplied new in 1937 to Mr Langrishe in Kent, after which its history is unknown until around 1948/9 when it was advertised for sale by Performance Cars at Chiswick. It was purchased by the Quilter family of Ruislip (furniture retailers) as a present for a son's wedding.
After a relatively short period of ownership the original engine failed and D7/754/LS was left at a second hand car dealer for disposal. There it was purchased by the current owner’s family as a non-runner in 1952. The engine was rebuilt and it then became the family car with the original engine for several years.
When Aston Martin moved from Feltham to Newport Pagnell some redundant stock was sold, including several ‘DB1’ engines. One of which was purchased by the owner who had a local engineering company design and machine an adaptor plate to instal it into the 15/98 with the original gearbox; this was a modification carried out to several 15/98s at the time. The engine swap was carried out in 1955/56 and D7/754/LS continued to be used as family transport for the next ten or so years.
The 15/98 saloon model was first showcased at the 1936 Olympia Motor Show alongside a long chassis tourer and a Speed Model. The Ulster and MkII Aston-Martin were amongst the most expensive cars in the 1 ˝ litre category, whilst a range of other quality manufacturers were making 1 ˝ litre cars for two thirds of the price. Aston-Martin decided a major change was required. This came in the form of a bigger engine, with increased capacity of 2 litres and the belief that this would be the best route to more racing success, whilst also justifying the high prices of the production vehicles. The 2 litre Speed Model and 15/98 chassis were wider, benefited from an advanced front axle and - in the case of the 15/98 - superb Girling brakes and an advanced, synchromesh 4-speed Moss gearbox. Around 25 orders were taken at the Olympia Motors show and the 15/98 became the most popular of the pre-war cars. A maximum of just 12 of these cars are believed to exist today; some were turned into racing specials and others were simply uneconomical to repair and were scrapped.
This car will make an exciting project with a number of options.
To discuss this car and how best to return it to the road, please contact Robert Blakemore at Ecurie Bertelli.
