Production
In total 411 DB2s were produced from their 1950 introduction through 1953. The first 49 cars used a square three-part grille in front with large rectangular side vents. This was soon updated with the more familiar integrated, rounded Aston Martin grille with horizontal slats. The three racing models were similarly upgraded establishing the company's new face. Among these 49 cars: two "Vantage spec" models. The first Vantage was LML 50/21 delivered in 1950 to racing driver Briggs Cunningham.
The car was a fixed-head coupé (FHC) with a tiny top-hinged boot in back containing a spare wheel. Luggage space was behind the front seats, accessed somewhat inconveniently from inside the car. A large single-piece bonnet was hinged at the front.
Later in 1950, a Drophead Coupé (DHC) variant was introduced. At least 102 were built.
In April, 1950, an engine with larger carburettors, inlet camshaft the same as the exhaust (increased duration) & higher compression ratio pistons (8.16:1) was "offered optionally", as Aston Martin's first Vantage upgrade. This was a power-only upgrade, with 125 hp (93 kW) available. However, the higher compression ratio engine was initially unsuitable for domestic market customers, since in the early 1950s Britain retained the war time austerity regime whereby UK fuel customers were restricted to 72 octane "Pool petrol".
Many cars went back to Aston Martin to have later 3 ltr engines fitted, many more have been converted since.
The name "Vantage" was chosen after leafing through a thesaurus looking for suitable tags for higher performance variants of the then current model. In the same tradition were later the names Volante for a convertible and Virage for a model in the 90s created.
Read more about this topic: Aston Martin DB2
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