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Aston Martin Ulster 1934, Inglaterra
Fotografia
An advert from Aston Martin proudly proclaimed that its new Ulster sportscars were “built for durability with such precision that they hold their tune and maintain performance with remarkable regularity”. Given such a testimony, and a “guaranteed” top speed of 161 km/h, the two-seater model was ideally suited to the demands of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A visit to Le Sarthe in 1935 yielded a remarkable result of 3rd overall for the top-ranked Ulster, falling behind only larger-engined rivals.
The example offered here, chassis F4/447/S, was wearing race number 30 when it reached the chequered flag that same 16 June day in 15th place. Equipped from new with a chrome radiator, with Prince Bira’s sister car the only other Ulster to initially gain a similar treatment, it was shared by ‘Goldie’ Gardner and Alfred Beloë, at the time a relatively inexperienced race pairing. The duo endured a brush with a bank that damaged the front axle to force an extended visit to the pits on the Sunday morning, yet they still achieved a staggering average speed of 107 km/h.
Gardner is believed to have sold the Ulster come 1938, with the car registered for road use in March the following year before the outbreak of World War II. The Aston Martin was soon acquired and stored by a Mr Dundas; however, he was killed during the conflict. Off the road until 1953, chassis F4/447/S was listed for sale by his mother for £495, and caught the attention of a Mr Basil Scully. The owner of a Massachusetts, USA-based car workshop, which serviced the Ulster during his custodianship, he had it painted dark green and entered various hill climb competitions.
Mr Scully held onto the Aston Martin for 33 years before illness moved him to sell it in August 1986 to Mr Hugh Palmer of Rutland, UK, who insured it for a value of £52,000. After a three-year stint, the car was bought by occasional Aston Martin Owners Club racer and Virgin Records executive, Mr Simon Draper of Guernsey. While he moved the Ulster on in 1993, Mr Draper repurchased it a decade later before chassis F4/447/S found a longer-term home with Mr Alan Beardshaw. He acquired the car in December 2005, and two years later commissioned a six-month restoration by Ecurie Bertelli (invoices available to view on file), the Buckinghamshire-based pre-war Aston Martin specialist having already worked on the car over the preceding 15 years. At this point, the Ulster was painted in its current hue based on paint samples understood to have been found on the chassis. Much of the charming patina was retained.
Once completed, the Beardshaw family contested AMOC races and participated in the 2009 running of the Mille Miglia continuation event. The Ulster was subsequently bought by its UK-based consigning owner in February 2023 and has since been serviced and race prepared by the revered Blakeney Motorsport. Following the fitment of new tyres, an oil catch tank, fire extinguisher, plus a refresh of the radiator, ignition system, and carburettor, the Ulster participated in Vintage Sports-Car Club races in last year’s prestigious Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting and at Silverstone. The car has also been issued its VSCC buff forms.
Given just 28 out of the 31 originally built are thought to remain, the sale of any Ulster makes for a remarkable opportunity. Beyond its rarity, chassis F4/447/S boasts a fascinating known history and is eligible for the most prestigious of historic motorsport events, so is ready to be celebrated by its next custodian on the occasion of its 90th birthday. Texto da RM Sotheby's.
