1935 Aston Martin 1½-Litre Mark II Long-Chassis Tourer
A rare gem from the early days of British sports cars, the 1935 Aston Martin 1½-Litre Mark II Long-Chassis Tourer represents a pivotal development in the company’s evolution. Introduced in 1934 following Aston Martin’s revival under A.C. Bertelli, the Mark II featured significant improvements including a stronger chassis and a revised 1,492cc overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine with a counter-balanced crankshaft. Available in both short (8’7″) and long (10′) wheelbase configurations, the latter provided genuinely comfortable accommodation for four passengers.
Technical advancements included racing-derived dry-sump lubrication, while the updated drivetrain incorporated a unit-construction gearbox and spiral bevel gears in the differential, replacing the older under-slung worm back axle. Contemporary road tests praised these vehicles for their exceptional handling characteristics, with one publication noting they had “roadholding the best of the trio” when compared to period rivals. With only 166 examples built through 1935, these early Astons remain exceedingly rare collectibles that offer driving enthusiasts a unique window into automotive engineering during the pre-war period.
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