Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe: A Million-Dollar Tale.

Seven Aston Martins Built by Bertone

An Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe, constructed by Bertone, was purchased for more than a million dollars at a recent auction held in New York by RM Sotheby’s. This special two-door vehicle is unique, as it is the only one of its kind left on Earth and the sole coupe among the seven Bertone-crafted DB2/4s produced back in 1954.

Commissioned by Stanley H. “Wacky” Arnolt II, this Bertone DB2/4 is the only one of its kind featuring a hardtop – the other models were all roadsters. This rare, one-of-a-kind vehicle has managed to remain a timeless masterpiece.

California-headquartered Kevin Kay Reconditionings, a professional in Aston Martin autos, was responsible for reviving the full splendor of this remarkable DB2/4, a remote descendant of the current DB12 Coupé.

The Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe by Bertone is instantly recognizable due to its wraparound rear window – a signature touch of Franco Scaglione’s design. It bears chassis number LML/765 and was delivered to “Monsieur Henrey Pagezy” of Paris on January 7, 1955. However, it is believed that this may have been a misspelling, as the real owner is thought to have been Henri Pigozzi, founder of Societe Industrielle de Mecanique et Carrosserie Automobile (SIMCA). This theory is supported by the fact that the coupe’s taillights were borrowed from SIMCA automobiles.

The iconic Bertone-designed DB2/4 Coupe arrived in the USA in 1976 and passed through multiple different owners until 2019 when it was lovingly restored to its former glory by its most recent custodian.

The restoration of the car was done to bring it back to its “show stand-correct” metallic blue shade, and other parts of the body – such as the front bumper, taillights, bonnet trim, sun visors, and most interior trim hardware – had to be made to match the original. The entire project was valued at $800,000 and was finished just in time for the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was awarded First in Class.

At the most recent New York auction, this remarkable Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe designed by Bertone fetched $1,105,000 – which is not unexpected given its extreme rareness and notable heritage. Not seen in public since the concours at Monterey some time ago, it has been invited to attend the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2024.