Aston Martin does not build many cars like the Aston Martin Le Mans: a 2 seat open sports / 4 seat open sports (from 1933) with 1.5 L (1493 cc) Straight-4–cylinder, built from 1932 to 1934 when streamlining and independent suspension were arriving together.
Where it came from
The Aston Martin Le Mans is a two or four seat sports car made by Aston Martin between 1932 and 1934. Aston Martin's single-overhead-cam engine with a Bore/Stroke of 69.3 mm x 99 mm, had first been seen in the 1927 models, was highly efficient and now had an output of 70 brake horsepower (52 kW) at 4750 rpm from 1.5 litres, an outstanding development by early 1930s standards. Twin Horizontal SU carburettors were fitted. The aluminium body was mounted on a separate steel chassis which had beam axles front and rear with semi-elliptic leaf springs. 4-Wheel drum brakes, mechanically operated at the rear, and by cable at the front were used.
During 1932 the Aston Martin International Le Mans had slowly sold at £650; the 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans model retailed at £595, thereby increasing the chance of the car selling faster. Aston Martin, encouraged by the car's reception, began to offer alternative wheelbase lengths: 102 inches/2591 mm or 120 inches/3048 mm and a choice of open two-seater or four-seater bodywork. The cars were long, low and immediately recognisable by their unique radiator style. Aston Martin made the cars exclusive; between 1932 and 1933, only 130 were produced. According to the standards of the early 1930s, Aston Le Mans were speedy cars – compared to the pace of the MG and Singer- with a top speed in the region of 85 mph (137 km/h) and acceleration from 0–50 mph (0–80 km/h) in 16 seconds.
Under the skin
Under the skin sits 1.5 L (1493 cc) Straight-4–cylinder; other versions carried different engines, listed in the specification table below. Kerb weight is 2,128 lb. The gearbox is a 4-speed manual. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
In context
Where it sits in Aston Martin's history is not in doubt: the Aston Martin International came before it; the Aston Martin 12/50 Standard followed it. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Chevrolet Suburban, the Bugatti Type 57, the Tatra 57. Nearby in the Aston Martin catalogue sit the Aston Martin Mark II and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
The money
MotorJury scores cars on the United States complaint and recall record, and the Aston Martin Le Mans has none: too old, too rare, or never sold there. Its value today is a collector's question, decided by provenance and condition rather than by a class average.