Ex-Works 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Consigned to Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale

Bonhams|Cars is gearing up for its annual Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, which is scheduled to take place on July 12 at the storied circuit in Chichester, UK. This event is known for bringing excellent vintage racers to market, and this year will be no different — just announced is the addition of a 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car, Ex-Works, known as “VMF 65.”

This car was driven in period world championship events by British racing drivers Eric Thompson, Rob Walker, George Abecassis, Major Tony Rolt, Stirling Moss and Peter Collins. 

The car was originally set to compete in the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans — the second post-war running of the event. The car was damaged en route and wasn’t repaired in time, so it returned to the Works and prepared for Eric Thompson to run it in the “Daily Express” One-Hour Production Car Race at the BRDC International Trophy meeting at Silverstone. There, the Works cars finished 2-3-4.

Later, the car raced in the RAC Tourist Trophy with George Abecassis at the wheel. He finished 5th. A few months later, Abecassis’ teammates Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin drove it in the MCC “Daily Express” 1,000-Mile Rally. After that, Aston Martin Lagonda used the DB2 as its press road-test car. It appeared in “The Autocar” magazine in September, 1950 and in a road test in “Autosport” in March of 1951 — and it took the cover shot.

James Knight, the specialist handling the sale and who pioneered the annual Bonhams Aston Martin sale at the Newport Pagnell Works, said, “I’ve known VMF 65 for over 25 years and it’s a privilege to represent the owner to whom we sold the car some 14 years ago. A DB2 Team Car represents the best value to the exclusive Aston Martin Works Team Car Club and is an entry ticket into the world’s finest historic motor sport events.”

The car is estimated to be worth from £800,000 – £1,200,000. Recently, it’s run in the Mille Miglia Retrospective, the Tour Auto and at the Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed. It’s also eligible for the Le Mans Classic.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed auction will take place on July 12. Learn more here.

Images courtesy of Bonhams|Cars