VIN: the works Aston Martin DB3 chassis 2
History of chassis DB3/2
Aston Martin built the first five DB3s for works use.
Chassis 1 raced at the Dundrod Tourist Trophy in September 1951 but no other appearances were made by the model that year.
Four more DB3s were then assembled, the first of which, chassis 2, was destined for David Brown who liked to personally test all his company’s new models. The unpainted car was registered XMY 80 in March 1952 and then shaken down by the likes of Geoff Duke and Peter Collins.
Owing to a shortage of DB3s, the by now green chassis 2 was used for one race early in 1952.
On April 19th, it appeared for an under three-litre Sports car event at the Ibsley airfield circuit in Hampshire where Dennis Poore showed astonishing pace to run away from the Frazer Nashes driven by Roy Salvadori and Rodney Peacock.
Thereafter, David Brown had chassis 2 at his disposal for the rest of the year.
In 1953, it was given a refresh and used for the DB3s final two appearances with the works team.
Geoff Duke posted a DNF at the Silverstone International meeting (May 9th) and then Eric Thompson collected a second and fourth at Thruxton (May 25th).
By early 1955, chassis 2 had been sold to company director, Dennis Barthel, who raced the car at club level, mostly at Goodwood.
Barthel sold the car to a private owner in 1956.
Notable History
David Brown’s personal vehicle
Registered XMY 80
19/04/1952 IND National Ibsley (D. Poore) 1st oa, 1st S3.0 class (#81)
09/05/1953 IND Silverstone International (G. Duke) DNF (#24)
25/05/1953 IND Thruxton Unlimited Sports (E. Thompson) 4th oa, 2nd 3.0 class (#63)
25/05/1953 IND Thruxton Sports (E. Thompson) 2nd oa (#63)
Sold to Dennis Barthel, Sussex
26/03/1955 IND Goodwood Novice Handicap (D. Barthel) 2nd oa (#71)
16/04/1955 IND Oulton Park Sports (D. Barthel) 1st oa (#53)
16/04/1955 IND Oulton Park Handicap (D. Barthel) 3rd oa (#53)
30/05/1955 IND Goodwood International Sports (D. Barthel) 8th oa (#65)
30/05/1955 IND Goodwood International Unlimited Sports (D. Barthel) ran (#65)
18/06/1955 IND Goodwood Handicap (D. Barthel) 2nd oa (#115)
24/09/1955 IND Goodwood Sports (D. Barthel) 5th oa (#46)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: MCH Group - https://www.mch-group.com/en-US.aspx
