1933 Aston-Martin Le Mans chassis E3/265/S

 Supplied new in 1933 to J Cadbury Esq of the Cadbury chocolate family, this was one of numerous Aston-Martins supplied to the family in the pre-war period. Most cars bought by the Cadbury family were mildly modified from ‘standard’ and this was no exception. In this case, the normal external exhaust was replaced and according to the build sheet it was "fitted with Town style exhaust system i.e. inside bonnet". The AMOC register shows Cadbury won a Glacier cup for a penalty-free run on the 1934 Alpine Trial. It appears Cadbury crashed this car, probably in 1937 or 1938, as there is an entry in the official Works Record "Rectify accidental damage" and another note that he "bought 2 litre 20.10.38". The accident repair appears to have included changing the bodywork tub only to the later MKII type. The second owner was Stephen Appleby who owned the car between 1939 and 1944 and we have two photos of it during this time which clearly show the Works-replaced bodywork at his country house, Hollingbourne Manor. Appleby lived in numerous countries as a child before taking to aviation in France then moving to the UK. He was involved in building and flying an aircraft called the Flying Flea, in this YouTube clip about the aircraft Appleby is featured. https://youtu.be/oiCuHpMEOCc Appleby even crossed the English Channel in his Flea!

There are three more owners during 1944 & 1945, likely aviators during WWII as it was very common for pre-war sports cars to be driven by pilots in the war and the Appleby connection makes this more likely. In 1948, E3/265/S was bought by Major Kite, whose name features both on the Works record card and the AMOC records. A Mr Johnson owned it next; the AMOC places him buying the car in 1950.

He is the last owner on the works card which has the last entry dated 1952. The the 1953 AMOC register, the car was still owned by W E Johnson, but by 1954 the AMOC records show a Mr RH Rowlands owned the vehicle. The current owner bought the car in 1967.

E3/265/S remains a fully matching numbers car, has been well kept with a lovely restoration of the bodywork and interior maintaining the original maroon paint colour and black interior. The restoration has aged well with appropriate gentle patina. Mechanically, this car is in good condition with an uprated crankshaft and conrods in the re-built engine and has covered only modest mileage each year.

Eligible for all major motoring events including 1000 Miglia, Le Mans and Goodwood, with good period history, matching numbers and a complete ownership history, this is one of the nicest Le Mans Aston Martins available.

Contact Robert Blakemore to arrange to see this car.

Genre

Restored