Aston Martin 15/98 Open Tourer LWB
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Car producer : |
Aston Martin |
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Model: |
15/98 Open Tourer LWB |
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Year: |
1937-1939 |
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Type: |
Tourer |
In the 1930s, Gordon Sutherland at Aston Martin made the decision to broaden the firm’s appeal. As such, he elected to reduce the number of two-litre saloons to be built from 100 to 50 so that a revised sports model could share production capacity. The new models made their first appearance at the 1936 Le Mans race. They were two-seaters equipped with a two-litre, 98-horsepower version of the proven Aston Martin wet-sump engine. Aston Martin combined the new car’s Royal Automobile Club horsepower rating (calculated with an antiquated formula no longer relevant today) and its actual horsepower rating to give the car its 15/98 moniker. A four-speed manual synchromesh gearbox was included, as was magneto ignition. The front axle received an upper-mounted steel cable to locate it and resist front spring wind-up. Top speed was a very respectable 82 mph in stock form.
Initially, bodies were built by A.C. Bertelli’s brother Enrico (E. Bertelli Ltd.), but Bertelli’s resignation in 1936 caused the firm to seek relationships with other established coachbuilders, including Abbott and Abbey. Abbey Coachworks of Willesden produced a 2/4-seat tourer, which was shown in 1937 in London at the first Earls Court Motor Show. In all, a total of 176 two-litre cars were produced, of which 50 were short chassis open cars: 25 Abbott drophead coupés and 25 Abbey 2/4 open tourers. Another 50 closed saloons and 76 Speed models completed the total. The chassis prefix would denote when the car was built, 'E' corresponding to the fifth letter of the alphabet and therefore fifth month, and the '8' corresponding to second number of the year.
