1937 Aston Martin 15/98 2 Litre, 2 Seater Sports inspired by the famous 'Jock' Horsfall Aston Martin 2 Litre Speed Model - the 'Black Car’

No sooner had peace returned to war-ravaged Europe than thoughts turned once again to motor racing. Entered by British driver St John ‘Jock’ Horsfall the ‘Black Car’ exceeded all expectations with outright victory in the 1946 Belgian Grand Prix for Sports Cars. This outstanding result makes the 'Black Car' probably Aston Martin's most successful pre-war competition car.

Aston Martin 2 Litre and the 'Black Car'

First available in 1936, the Aston Martin 2 litre was available in dry-sump, 100 b.h.p. Speed Model or wet-sump, 98 b.h.p. 15/98. Originally supplied to R.Wilkins as a Speed Model chassis (chassis C7/719/U) by Aston Martin, including a spare works ‘Ulster’ body that was (literally) lying around, the ‘Black Car’ was completed in 1937. Bought that year by Horsfall, the 'Black Car' chalked up wins in the 1938 Leinster Trophy, at Brooklands and in the 1938 Donington Tourist Trophy against the BMW 328 Works team. Finishing second outright, to Gerard's 3 litre Delage and winning the 2 litre class, the 'Black Car' vanquished the Works BMW 328s, none of which finished. Then in 1946, at Brussels’ Bois de Cambre, it won the Grand Prix for Sports Cars outright against more fancied opposition.

Retained by the Horsfall family until 1973 and undergoing many modifications, the 'Black Car' was restored to its original 'Ulster body' specification in 1993. It is the car in this form that inspired our tribute to the the 'Black Car' and St John 'Jock' Horsfall.
Twenty two, 2 Litre Speed Models were assembled by the factory and sold for racing purposes, but only one car featured the unique ‘Black Car’ Ulster body and equipment. ‘Jock’ Horsfall was a brave and resourceful driver whose outstanding preparation and driving skills allowed him to ‘mix it’ with the best of his day. After wartime service supporting secret operations, including Operation Mincemeat (he apparently drove the van delivering 'Major Martin' to the submarine), Jock was killed whilst competing in an ERA in 1949. He remains a revered stalwart of the Aston Martin community.

Our Aston Martin is a 15/98 and was built in 1937, the same year as the 'Black Car'. Featuring Aston Martin's in-house 2 litre OHC engine and chassis, it utilises Moss gearbox, ENV differential and Girling brakes as original equipment. It retains an original 15/98 engine which, uniquely, still has its original crankshaft and connecting rods. Other original components include: gearbox, rear axle, wheels, brakes and other minor components including lights, instruments, dampers etc. The original body was was a sports saloon by E.Bertelli.

We purchased the car about twenty years ago and it was fabulous, an excellent example of a proper sporting car. The car was delightfully patinated and in excellent, original, unrestored condition, but after damaging the right hand rear quarter, a complete renovation programme was begun. On close and detailed inspection it was found that the timber body frame was both rotten with dry rot and ‘lozenged’, with every joint broken. It unfortunately required total replacement so the decision was made to reconfigure the car as a two seater, whilst retaining as much of the original car's 'fabric' as possible.

The Build

With the engine and gearbox recently rebuilt and in excellent order, all mechanical and chassis components were cleaned, checked, painted and reconditioned as necessary. Jeff Edwards’ Artisan Coachworks was commissioned to design and build a new timber frame and Richard Stanley of Coachcraft fashioned the new aluminium panels to finish the car, now to Aston Martin Works Short Chassis specification.

As close as possible in appearance to the 'Black Car' and retaining the majority of its original components this car is eligible for many high status historic events for pre war sports cars and is complete with a FIVA ID.

The 'Black Car' Tribute build was a satisfying experience and our very own ‘Black’ Aston Martin is very reliable and a joy to drive. It is totally impractical, in that there is no hood or tonneau, but it has for the past five years or so been a ‘regular driver’, covering some thirteen thousand miles in that time without incident.

Please enjoy the ride.