Chichester, UK – Bonhams|Cars will offer the iconic 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car ‘VMF 65’ at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 12 July, estimated at £800,000 – £1,200,000. Driven by legendary British racers like Eric Thompson, Stirling Moss, and Peter Collins, ‘VMF 65’ embodies Aston Martin’s rich racing heritage. This veteran of the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, and Goodwood events is eligible for the Le Mans Classic and many other prestigious events worldwide.
This wonderfully well-preserved and highly original ex-works Aston Martin team car was prepared as new in 1950 to compete in the second postwar Le Mans 24-Hours race. Unfortunately, en route to the Sarthe circuit, the body was damaged and couldn’t be repaired in time for the 24-Hour race. It was returned and repaired at the Works in time for Eric Thompson to drive it in the ‘Daily Express’ One-Hour Production Car Race at the important BRDC International Trophy meeting at Silverstone.
‘VMF 65’ completed a DB works team 2-3-4 finish in that race and then raced in the RAC Tourist Trophy with driver George Abecassis of HWM team fame behind the wheel, finishing 5th. Three weeks later, at Shelsley Walsh hill-climb, an important event at that time, Abecassis clocked 47.73 seconds in this car. In early November, it was shared by two of Abecassis’s HWM team drivers, Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin, to contest the MCC ‘Daily Express’ 1,000-Mile Rally.
Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd then used it as their dedicated press road-test DB2. In this role, it featured prominently in ‘The Autocar’ magazine of 17 September 1950 and in a John Bolster test in the ‘Autosport’ magazine issue of 2 March 1951, where it appeared on the front cover. This historical significance adds a layer of prestige and desirability to ‘VMF 65’, making it a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts.
‘VMF 65’ is well-known to the Bonhams|Cars team, who have handled the sale of more DB2 Team Cars than any other house. James Knight, the specialist handling the sale and who pioneered the annual Bonhams Aston Martin sale at the Newport Pagnell Works, said, “I’ve known VMF 65 for over 25 years, and it’s a privilege to represent the owner to whom we sold the car some 14 years ago. A DB2 Team Car represents the best value to the exclusive Aston Martin Works Team Car Club and is an entry ticket into the world’s finest historic motor sport events.”
The car’s history and provenance are exceptional. Its involvement in early postwar racing events, its association with legendary drivers, and its role as a press car make it a unique and significant automobile. The opportunity to own such a piece of automotive history is rare, and ‘VMF 65’ stands as a testament to Aston Martin’s legacy in motorsport.
As the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale approaches, the anticipation surrounding ‘VMF 65’ continues to build. Collectors and enthusiasts alike are eager to see this remarkable car in person and perhaps even take the opportunity to acquire a piece of British racing history. With its illustrious past and continued presence in historic racing events, ‘VMF 65’ is not just a car; it is a living piece of automotive heritage that continues to inspire and captivate.
