Aston Martin
Works team cars LM5–LM7

Why it matters

LM5, LM6 and LM7 were the three works International team cars of 1931, the first time Aston Martin fielded a three-car team of identical appearance. Their results kept the company going: with LM6 winning its class at Le Mans, the season was good enough for A. C. Bertelli to find new financial backing.

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

Bertelli, short of money, borrowed from H. J. Aldington of Frazer Nash, who agreed to the building of three new works cars for 1931, registered HX 4321, HX 4322 and HX 4323. They debuted in the Brooklands Double 12, where LM5 (Gallop/Cushman) took second in class behind LM6. At Le Mans LM5 retired after about 125 laps, as did LM7, while LM6 won the class and finished fifth overall. In August LM5 finished 14th overall and first in class in the RAC Tourist Trophy.

After the season LM5 went to financial backer Lance Prideaux-Brune and received a 2/4-seater body, then stayed with one owner for almost 50 years. It was mechanically restored by Ecurie Bertelli while keeping its original character.

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 1931 team cars share identical narrow doorless bodies with exaggerated cowled scuttles, lowered radiators and round drooping tails, with dry-sump 1.5-litre engines in Elektron lightweight cases. They were registered HX 4321 to HX 4323; LM5 carries the later 2/4-seater body fitted around 1932, supported by the build record.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   The 1931 Aston Martin team cars (May 1980) Level B Motor Sport magazine

   • a three car team... These identical cars, LM5, 6 and 7
   • All three 1931 cars survive today
   • 69.25 mm. x 99 mm. and a capacity of 1,493 c.c.
   • 69.25 mm. x 99 mm.
   • 70 b.h.p. at 5,000 r.p.m. on a 9:1 compression ratio
   • 70 b.h.p. at 5,000 r.p.m.
   • separate, four speed gearbox, connected to the underslung, worm drive rear axle by a torque tube
   • four speed gearbox

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Ecurie Bertelli – Team cars LM1–LM7 Level B

   • 3 1931 first-series works team cars LM5, LM6 and LM7 ("these three cars")

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   1931 Aston Martin 1.5-Litre International LM5, Villa Erba 2019 Level C RM Sotheby's

   • four-cylinder engine
   • 1.5-litre overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine
   • overhead camshaft four-cylinder

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   1931 Aston Martin 1.5-Litre International LM5 Level C Bonhams

   • engines produced 70bhp
   • top speed of 90mph

   Accessed 2026-11-12