Aston Martin 1917 is one of the earliest Aston Martins, an original short-chassis, competition car. It was rebuilt in the 1980s when it was also clothed in a superbly accurate and evocative copy of the GP racing body seen and photographed in 1923 on Barlow’s chassis 1916, as it competed at the Aston Clinton hill climb and at Brooklands (before that car became the famous Halford Special).
Chassis 1917 also derives from the pre-production period of the marque’s history when Aston Martin production was a mix of prototypes and racing cars, as Lionel Martin concentrated on competition more than commercial considerations. 1917’s early life was also centred around competition although unusually as a dirt track racer run by Victor Gillow, reportedly equipped with a pointed, cloth-tail body. It was not registered for the road until 11th March 1930.
Sometime before 1930 it acquired the racing side-valve engine and small “GP” radiator from chassis 1916, most likely when Major F. B. Halford started to modify that car into the Halford Special.
Once registered for the road, the pointed tail racing body appears to have been replaced by a more practical touring type body but still with the engine and GP radiator. Only one photo of the car before 1960 exists showing the car with this body. In 1960, chassis 1917 was bought by Derrick Edwards, refitted with engine no. 1924 (Neil Murray acquired engine no 1916) and sold on to the current owner’s grandfather and great uncles. It has remained in the same family since then.
A very detailed history including many letters about the car from previous owners, the former AMOC registrar and side valve expert Neil Murray, and even former factory employees, establishes a detailed ownership record.
The car runs reliably and is driven locally, although not often enough. The owner is busy with one other side-valve Aston Martin and a Frazer Nash special so is looking for an appreciative home for this remarkable and beautiful car where it can be shown, enjoyed and exercised as it deserves.
