Footnotes

• While in his early twenties, Michel Poberesjky, born 1930 in Neuilly, one of the wealthiest Parisian suburbs, decided to become a racing driver and bought an Aston DB2 from the French importer,
  Majestic Automobiles, with whom he also signed a technical support contract. He chose the DB2
  Vantage, chassis number 'LML/50/155', engine number 'VB6B/50/1052', a right-hand drive model with Perspex rear windows, which was registered '72 BH 75' under his name in Paris in 1952. He assumed the racing name of 'Mike Sparken' so that his mother, who suffered from a heart condition, would be unaware of his racing activties.
  He soon tasted success, finishing first in a race at Monthléry in 1952, and became great friends with Hermano da Silva Ramos, who also decided to buy a DB2, as well as with Peter Collins who had come to live in Paris to promote Aston Martin sales. Soon, they formed a close-knit group of friends who enjoyed the good life in Paris. They often met at the offices of the 'L'Action Automobile' newspaper, where Mike Hawthorn or Stirling Moss would occasionally be spotted as well.
  In 1953, Mike Sparken raced this car in Agadir where he finished in 5th place; in the 'Tour de
  France Auto', along with his friend Silva Ramos, abandoning because of broken shock
  absorbers; in the Roubaix Grand Prix; in the 12-hour Hyeres race and in other events such as
  the 'Rallye de Dieppe' and 'Rallye de Soleil Cannes'. These two drivers both still live in the
  South of France and retain very fond memories of their DB2: 'easy to drive, such a great
  performer with a lovely engine sound'. Afterwards Mike Sparken drove a DB3 with Peter
  Collins in Casablanca and then a Ferrari Monza and even a Formula 1 Gordini, finishing in 7th
  place in the British Grand Prix of 1955. For the 1953 Tour de France, the DB2 was fitted with a small wind deflector on the bonnet, as evidenced by two small holes filled with rivets.
  In the 1960s many sports car dealers were located to the north of Paris, where the automobile industry had first begun at the turn of the 19th Century. It was here in Levallois in 1961 that a 'Mr P' chose this same DB2, which had covered very few kilometres and which, according to the salesman, 'had won some races'. In 1963 the engine suffered a con-rod problem and was reconditioned by the Rubichon and Garage Mirabeau. Its owner lived in the middle of Paris, near the Eiffel Tower; it was here that he kept his Aston but soon realised that it was not ideal in city traffic, so his son bought him a Morris Mini instead. In 1964 'Mr P' died and the DB2 was taken to the family's weekend property in Normandy, remaining there unused until the 1980s when his son decided to put the car back on the road, after some re-commissioning. For a few years the Aston was used very occasionally at the weekends but these pleasure drives eventually ceased and two years ago the car was sold. The figure of 32,708 kilometres recorded on the odometer is believed to be the total covered from new.
  We are advised that chassis number 'LML/50/155' has never been in an accident. The bodywork, engine and upholstery are original, un-restored and unmolested while all the accessories, such as wing mirrors, headlights, etc are original also. Recent servicing consisted merely of checking the carburetion, electrics, exhaust, brakes and fuel supply. Benefiting from new filters, engine lubricants and brake fluid, the car is said to drive nicely with good oil pressure and no troubling engine noises.
  This DB2 has only had three owners in 60 years and comes with its old/current French registration documents and a complete file of notes and bills dating back to 1963. Aston Martin DB2s with in-period competition history are rare and this example represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire just such a car, eligible for the Tour de France Auto, Targa Florio and Historic Le Mans as well as many other similar events.
  

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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