VIN: the works Aston Martin DB2 chassis LML/50/8
History of chassis LML/50/8
After building a pair of DB2 prototypes (chassis LML/50/5 and LML/50/6), Aston Martin assembled a trio of team cars for the 1950 season.
In May 1950, the team cars (chassis LML/50/7, LML/50/8 and LML/50/9) were consecutively registered VMF 63, VMF 64 and VMF 65.
Of these three works racing cars, chassis LML/50/8 (VMF 64) went on to become the most successful with class wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1950 and 1951, the Mille Miglia in 1951 and 1952 and the Alpine Rally in 1951.
For the 1950 Le Mans race, all three team cars were equipped with a number of special modifications to include long-range fuel tanks with roof-mounted fillers, a variety of extra cooling ducts, bonnet cut outs for quick fluid top ups, illuminated ID plates and leather bonnet straps.
Chassis LML/50/8 was driven at Le Mans by George Abecassis and Lance Macklin. Grid slots were decided on engine size and they started 19th.
At an average speed of 87.25mph, Abecassis and Macklin finished fifth overall to claim victory in the three-litre Sports category. They also shared the Index of Performance prize.
Along with the other two team cars, LML/50/8 next appeared at the Silverstone International One Hour Production Car Race. By this time, the Le Mans addenda had been removed and the DB2s ran in more or less standard trim.
Deputising in LML/50/8 for an injured Macklin was Raymond Sommer. Sommer finished as best placed Aston driver in fourth overall (second in class).
Macklin was back in chassis 8 for the Dundrod Tourist Trophy on September 16th. The three hour road race took place in appalling conditions during which the DB2s displayed remarkable roadholding.
Macklin finished eighth overall (third in class) while team-mate Reg Parnell took another class win to complement Aston’s Le Mans victory.
One week later, all three team cars attended the Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb. Charles Brackenbury stood in for Macklin (who was away racing for HWM). Brackenbury finished sixth in class; up the short course the DB2s were eclipsed by a team of lightweight Frazer Nashes.
Chassis LML/50/8 subsequently became one of David Brown’s personal cars. It was de-tuned for road use and, over the next few months, led a relatively sheltered existence.
In early 1951, Brown agreed to lend the car to motoring correspondent and accomplished amateur racer, Tommy Wisdom, for an outing on the Mille Miglia.
The service department at Feltham gave LML/50/8 a thorough check over and, towards the end of April, it was on its way to Brescia.
Together with his co-driver, Anthony Hume, Wisdom completed the gruelling 978-mile course in 13 hours and 29 minutes to finish eleventh overall and first in the over two-litre Touring class.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin were preparing a pair of second series lightweight DB2s to contest the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours (LML/50/50 and LML/50/55).
It was hoped they would be accompanied by a DB3 but, when it became apparent the brand new sports racing car would not be ready in time, the decision was made to press LML/50/8 back into action.
The DB2 was fitted with a Series 2 bonnet, sliding plastic windows, an uprated engine and the interior was comprehensively stripped. Lance Macklin and Eric Thompson averaged 90mph for the entire race and finished third overall to win the three-litre Sports category.
The car was then loaned to Tommy Wisdom and his wife Elsie “Bill’ Wisdom for the nine-day 1951 Alpine Rally. The Wisdoms claimed four stage wins and took yet another class victory for the DB2 (in the two to three-litre class).
Suitably refreshed once again, LML/50/8 next appeared with Tommy Wisdom / Fred Lown on the 1952 Mille Miglia where it finished twelfth overall and first in the over two-litre GT class.
A few weeks later, Wisdom was joined by artist and navigator, Roy Nockolds, for another attempt on the Alpine Rally. Now running on Weber carburettors, the DB2 finished 15th overall and fifth in the three-litre class.
The car was subsequently retired from competition duty.
Once it had been refurbished and fitted with a standard interior, LML/50/8 starred at the London Motor Show in October 1952. For this appearance, it was emblazoned with the number 600 as worn on its successful Mille Miglia outing earlier in the year.
During 1953/1954, the car was fitted with its third new bonnet – this time the Series 3 type with raised headlights as used by the DB2/4.
In 1957, David Brown sold LML/50/8 to his friend, Gerald Lascelles.
Lascelles was the younger son of Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood and Mary, Princess Royal, the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. He was also the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Gerald Lascelles kept the unrestored car until his death in 1998 at which point it passed to his son, Henry.
LML/50/8 was retained by the Lascelles family until 2009.
Notable History
Cadillac Green
Aston Martin Ltd.
05/1950 registered VMF 64
25/06/1950 IND Le Mans 24 Hours (G. Abecassis / L. Macklin) 5th oa, 1st S3.0 class (#19)
26/08/1950 IND Silverstone International (R. Sommer) 4th oa, 2nd S3.0 class (#14)
16/09/1950 IND Dundrod Tourist Trophy (L. Macklin) 8th oa, 3rd S3.0 class (#22)
23/09/1950 BHC Shelsley Walsh (C. Brackenbury) 6th in 3.0 Production class (#56)
Used by David Brown as his personal car
29/04/1951 IND Mille Miglia (T. Wisdom / A. Hume) 11th oa, 1st 2.0+ Touring class (#425)
Fitted with Series 2 bonnet, uprated engine and stripped interior
23/06/1951 IND Le Mans 24 Hours (L. Macklin / E. Thompson) 3rd oa, 1st S3.0 class (#26)
12-20/07/1951 IND Alpine Rally (T. Wisdom / E. Wisdom) Alpine Cup, 1st in 2.0-3.0 class (#??)
20/07/1951 road tested by Autocar magazine
04/05/1952 IND Mille Miglia (T. Wisdom / F. Lown) 12th oa, 1st GT2.0+ class (#600)
Fitted with Weber carburettors
11-16/07/1952 IND Alpine Rally (T. Wisdom / R. Nockolds) 15th oa, 5th in 3.0 class (#??)
Re-configured as a road car for David Brown
10/1952 London Motor Show (#600)
1957 sold to Gerald Lascelles, West London
Retained until 2009
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Aston Martin - https://www.astonmartin.com
