Aston Martin
2 Litre works team cars LM22 & LM23

Why it matters

LM22 and LM23 were the two 2-Litre Speed Model team cars prepared for the 1936 Le Mans race. The race was cancelled because of French industrial strife and neither car was ever raced by the works. Chassis LM22 was the last to carry the factory's 'LM' prefix.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Rumours of a larger-engined Aston Martin to replace the 1.5-litre cars circulated in early 1936, and the works then made two entries in the 2-litre class at Le Mans. When the race was cancelled, Aston Martin withdrew indefinitely from competition and the two prototype 2-litre cars were to be sold.

The cars had drawn so much interest that two further chassis were laid down with pure two-seater bodies, and entered in the 1936 RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards. One of these, chassis H6/711/U, was driven there by Dick Seaman.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The team cars are identified by the 'LM' chassis prefix, with LM22 the last chassis to carry it. They share the Speed Model design: a 1,949 cc engine with reversed ports, a Mark II-style frame that is wider and more rigidly cross-braced, a 102 in (260 cm) wheelbase and Lockheed hydraulic brakes with twin master cylinders.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Ecurie Bertelli – 2 Litre Speed Model Level B

   • 2 Works team cars LM22 and LM23 ("two new works team cars to be designated LM22 and LM23")

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1936 Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed Model 'Red Dragon', chassis H6/711/U Level C Bonhams · 2016-09-10

   • engine was enlarged to 1,949cc
   • Lockheed hydraulic brakes with twin master cylinders were adopted
   • 102-inches, 260cm, wheelbase

   Accessed 2026-11-12