90 | THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
0t is particularly fitting that this singularly important Aston Martin sports-
racing car is offered for sale here at the Goodwood Motor Circuit since
two of its most celebrated drivers in-period have particular links here.
Richard John ºDick’ Beattie-Seaman ¶ the finest British racing driver
of the 1930s, later winner of the 193 German Grand Prix in his works
Mercedes-Benz W154 ¶ was born at Aldingbourne House, which still
stands today a mere three miles away to the east, within earshot of
Goodwood Motor Circuit. And in later years this remarkable car would
be owned and campaigned by leading Welsh privateer Dudley Folland
¶ one of the first internationally-known owner-drivers to compete at
Goodwood, not least in the first Ferrari V12 ever to appear in England.
Against this background, Bonhams is particularly delighted to offer this
uniquely-specified historic Aston Martin here at the Goodwood Revival
Meeting. As new this particular car could perhaps be regarded as the
ultimate in the illustrious line of pre-war Aston Martin ‘Ulster’ works
racing cars.
Rumours had begun to circulate early in 1936 of a new larger-engined
Aston Martin to replace the marque’s successful 1½-litre designs.
Discreet official confirmation came when two entries were made in the
2-litre class of the Le Mans 24-hour race. Aston Martin’s production
of the 2-Litre ‘Speed Model’ competition variant would total just
23, making it more rare and exclusive than its ‘Ulster’ predecessor,
production of which ran to 31.
The 4-cylinder engine was enlarged to 1,949cc with the ports reversed
in expectation of minimizing detonation as experienced on the 1½-litre
unit. The patented Renwick & Bertelli wedge-shaped combustion
chambers were retained, while 1 mm spark plugs appeared on the
exhaust side of the cylinder head instead of the inlet side. Scintilla
magneto ignition was used, and dry-sump lubrication retained.
Two new Speed Model Team Cars were readied for Le Mans only
for that 1936 race to be cancelled following French industrial strife.
Neither car would ever be raced by the works. The first chassis, ºLM22’
was the last to bear the famous factory prefix ºLM’. Chassis design
followed that of the familiar Mark II model’s, down-swept beneath the
rear axle and upswept over the front. It was wider, and more rigidly
cross-braced, although its 102-inches, 260cm, wheelbase matched the
Ulster’s. The front axle was mounted via ‘Silentbloc’ bushed trunnions,
with torque reaction during braking or under drive being controlled by
stout cables in tension. Great attention was paid to improved steering
geometry while Lockheed hydraulic brakes with twin master cylinders
were adopted. The gearbox was in unit with the enlarged engine.
• The ultimate pre-War
competition Aston Martin- Multiple participant in the Mille
Miglia and Le Mans 24-Hour race
• Competitive entrant for the world’s
premier historic motoring events
• Equally at home on road and track
130
The Ex-Works, Dick Seaman, Eddie Hertzberger, Dudley Folland,
John Wyer, Colonel Ronnie Hoare, Jack Fairman
1936 ASTON MARTIN 2-LITRE SPEED MODEL
‘RED DRAGON’ SPORTS-RACING TWO-SEATER
Registration no. FGY 409
Chassis no. H6/711/U
© Stuart Collins