• Finished 7th overall at the 1932 24 Hours of Le Mans; winner of the eighth Biennial Cup
• One of the three “second series” Aston Martin Works entrants to Le Mans
• Well-known history, with its previous owner retaining the car since 1955
• A wonderful, evocative pre-war Aston with superb provenance

Under A.C. Bertelli, Aston Martin enjoyed one of its most extended periods of competition success, with Works cars present at leading endurance classics. Built in 1932, LM8 was the first of three “second series” Works racers based on the latest version of the International. Powered by the firm’s proven 1.5-litre four-cylinder dry-sump engine allied to a four-speed gearbox, the cars were distinguished by their smaller, vee-shaped radiators, low bonnets with flat scuttles, and fold-down windscreens.

The cars’ first outing was at the JCC 1,000-Mile Race, but none made it beyond practice due to suspension problems. Changes were quickly made ahead of the trip to Le Mans, which was just two weeks away. The Works Astons performed well at the Circuit de la Sarthe, with sister car LM10 finishing 5th overall and 1st in class, followed in 7th position overall (and 2nd in class) by LM8, which was piloted by Bert Bertelli and Patrick Driscoll. Significantly, LM8 won the eighth Biennial Cup—the antecedent of the Index of Performance—despite suffering a water leak in the closing stages of the race.

Aston Martin celebrated the victory at Shelsley Walsh, with chassis LM8 opening proceedings just one week after its triumph at the Circuit de la Sarthe. At the end of the season the Works cars were sold, with chassis LM8—then sporting a 2/4-seater body with slab tank in the style of the production ‘Le Mans’ model—being bought by company draughtsman C.H. “Happy” Wood. He retained the car until 1935, when it was sold to A.M. Wicksteed, who in turn kept it until 1939. The car appears to have remained off the road and survived World War II in the hands of one P.A. Smith, who sold it in 1951 to Arthur Steel. Mr Steel sold chassis LM8 in early-1955 to a dealer in Carmarthen, after which it passed into the care of Paul Sykes.

An enthusiastic and devoted owner, Mr Sykes kept chassis LM8 for a remarkable 55 years, using it at first as his daily transportation, then as a treasured toy. Late in his ownership its mechanical components were renovated by Rob Davies, who fitted a new crank, rods, pistons, and valves; an Ulster-type cam; and straight-cut gears in the Le Mans ratio. Its bodywork was also repaired and replaced as necessary, prior to being finished in classic British Racing Green with a matching dark green leather interior.

Following its renovation, the car participated in the Aston Martin Centenary Celebrations at Kensington Gardens in 2013, and in 2021 was accepted to the Registro 1000 Miglia, signifying its eligibility for the Mille Miglia. Accompanying the car is a collection of historic archival materials and documentation, including period photographs and articles, an original instruction book, the 1949 British registration book, and a FIVA Identity Card from 2021. Bidders should note that, due to a period of extended static display, the Aston Martin will require inspection by a mechanic before it is once more at a racing standard. Please contact an RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist to find out more.

This significant early-Works Aston Martin is a remarkable survivor with competition history at the world’s greatest race, and would make a fantastic entry to leading historic events such as Le Mans Classic.

1932 Aston Martin LM8 Results       RaceDateEntrantRace NumberDriverOverall FinishClass FinishNotesJCC 1,000-Mile Race4 June 1932Prideaux-Brune/Aston Martin Bertelli/DriscollDNS  24 Hours of Le Mans18/19 June 1932Aston Martin Ltd. (GB)21Bertelli/Driscoll7th2ndBiennial CupJCC High Speed Trial Brooklands1933  Wood  Special AwardAlpine Trial31 July-4 August 1933  Wood/Hill4th  MCC Brooklands Meeting9 September 1933  Wood  Premier AwardJCC High Speed Trial30 June 1934  Wood  Special AwardMCC Rally Brooklands8 September 1934  Wood 2nd BARC Brooklands Meeting1936  Wicksteed   BARC Brooklands Meeting1936  Wicksteed   South Sea Speed Trials15 August 1936  Wicksteed   VSCC Speed Trials, Croydon1937  Wicksteed2nd  SODC Speed Trials1937  Wicksteed 1st VSCC Race Meeting Donington12 August 1939  Wicksteed1st  VSCC Prescott1939  Wicksteed  

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot a été introduit dans l'UE avec un cautionnement d'importation temporaire, qui devra être soldé par réexportation hors de l'UE avec un connaissement (bon de chargement) accompagné de ses documents douaniers, ou par paiement de la TVA et des droits de douane applicables s'il doit demeurer dans l'UE.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lm23.