Launched at the 1950 New York Auto Show, the Aston Martin DB2 proved crucial in the company's reemergence after the War. Under new ownership of David Brown, Aston Martin had developed the new car in plain sight; on the race track. This unusual approach was awarded with an outright victory at the 1947 Spa 24 Hours and also built up anticipation for the road car considerably. Despite the high demand, Brown decided to pull the first three production cars off the line and prepare them for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950. These DB2 Team Cars were pretty much standard and nevertheless managed to win the three-litre class and the all-important Index of Performance at Le Mans. Two more cars were built for the next season but it was the Le Mans class winner that continued to score the victories for Aston Martin. It was first in class at the Mille Miglia and again at Le Mans. In September of that year, the purpose-built DB3 was introduced, which effectively ended the works career of the DB2. The five cars continued to be raced and subsequently driven on the road for many more years. They were also prominently featured in various magazine articles of the day. Today all of them have survived and are still regularly campaigned.
In recent months two of the 1950 Team Cars have made auction headlines by selling well over their top estimates. The 1950 and 1951 Le Mans class winner changed hands for 550.000 Pounds at the November 2009 RM Auctions Automobiles of London sale. This weekend Bonhams' annual Aston Martin sale was topped by a sister car, which changed hands for 513,000 Pounds.
Both of these cars are featured in our detailed article and 18-shot gallery.

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1950 - 1951 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car - Images, Specifications and Information