This car left the factory as a long chassis ‘Standard’ 2 door tourer. It was discovered in 1967 by the present owner in terrible condition on an airfield. As found it was already in short chassis specification and had the nose cone of what was thought to be a Meteor jet bolted to the rear of the chassis acting as rear coachwork.
The car was incomplete and clearly needed a total restoration, so it was completely rebuilt with the expert help of Bill Ellwell-Smith as a ‘New International’. The owner (a master craftsman) had a short chassis International and copied the bodywork of this car making a complete body frame in ash and had it panelled by a local company. It is therefore to the correct specification of the rare (only fifteen made) ‘New International’ in all respects.
In 1990, following a slight road accident the car had a body off chassis rebuild by Ecurie Bertelli and during the following decade the engine was completely rebuilt with new white metal bearings.
This venerable Aston Martin runs very well, is in good mechanical condition throughout, and has proved to be remarkably reliable. It is well known by the Aston Martin Owners Club and has been used regularly over the past 48 years by the present owner and his family including trips across France and up and down the full length of the UK a number of times.