Makes › Aston Martin › DB2/4 › DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupé · Rare specification · 1957–1959 Extremely Rare
Aston Martin
DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupé
Tickford drophead of the DB Mark III
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 84 Built
- Years
- 1957–1959
- Engine
- Inline six, twin overhead camshaft · 2,922 cc / 2.9 LFactory: 2,922 cc
- Power
- 133 kW / 180 PSFactory: 178 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Mk III Drophead Coupe is the open version of the last and most developed DB2-series car. RM Sotheby's counts 84 Mk III dropheads, perhaps half of them left-hand drive. The Mk III introduced the marque's now-familiar grille shape and added front disc brakes, a first for a road-going Aston Martin.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productionMk III Drophead Coupes built, perhaps half LHD | 841 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The DB2 appeared in prototype form in 1949 and the DB2/4 followed with occasional rear seating. By 1957 1,175 DB2 and DB2/4 cars had been sold, and the final version, often called the DB Mark III, added 551 more by 1959.
The Mk III had a revised 'DBA' engine with a stiffer block, stronger crankshaft, high-lift camshafts and bigger valves, the last development of the W. O. Bentley-derived six. Triple SU carburettors were a factory option over the standard pair, and Borrani wire wheels were a factory option.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupé.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline six, twin overhead camshaft2 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 2,922 cc / 2.9 LFactory: 2,922 cc2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Three SU H6 carburettors (factory option; standard was two)2 Independently researched |
| Power | 133 kW / 180 PSFactory: 178 hp · converted2 Independently researchedQuoted for this restored car with the optional triple SU carburettors; standard-carburettor output not given. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, coil springs2 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle with coil springs and radius rods2 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes2 Independently researchedSpecification of the offered car; disc brakes came late in Mk III production. |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,510 mmFactory: 99 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Mk III cars are recognised by the new Aston Martin grille shape, which the dashboard shape echoes, and by instruments placed directly in front of the driver. The engine is the 'DBA' unit with larger valves and high-lift camshafts. Front disc brakes arrived late in production. Factory options included triple SU carburettors, dual exhaust and Borrani wire wheels.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's lot catalogue: 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupe (Monterey 2015) Level B
- 84 Mk III Drophead Coupes built, perhaps half LHD
-
2
1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupe, Monterey 2015, lot 121 Level C RM Sotheby's · 2015
- 2,922 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine
- three SU H6 carburetors
- 178 bhp, 2,922 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine
- independent front suspension with coil springs
- live-axle rear suspension with coil springs and radius rods
- hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes
- Wheelbase: 99 in.
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