1934 Aston Martin MARTIN 1 1/2-LITRE MK II SPORTS BY BERTELLI

MARTIN 1 1/2-LITRE MK II SPORTS BY BERTELLI image

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The 1934 Aston Martin 1 1/2-Litre Mk II Sports by Bertelli is an exceptional car that personifies luxury, power, and elegance. Among the most famous of pre-war Aston Martins, it also holds a special rank in automobile history as an influential force in sports car design.

The car's design is the result of a collaboration between Italian automobile designer Augustus Bertram "Bert" Bertelli and Aston Martin Chairman, Lionel Martin. The Bertelli-designed Mk II sported a heavily revised chassis and suspension, and its innovative hydraulic power-assisted brakes made it one of the safest cars of its time. The car was launched in 1934 at the London Motor Show, and it quickly became one of the most sought-after cars in the market.

The 1934 Aston Martin 1 1/2-Litre Mk II Sport is powered by a robust 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that can deliver up to 73 horsepower at 5,000rpm. This engine was built with a single overhead camshaft, which made for a more efficient combustion, and was mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Its acceleration is impressive for a car of its time, and it can sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 15 seconds, with a top speed of 85 miles per hour.

The Mk II's suspension system was radically different from its predecessors, with a new Girling-type hydraulic shock absorbers all around - a significant improvement over the frictional devices of the earlier models. The car's solid axle rear suspension mounted with semi-elliptic leaf springs and front suspension with a divided axle and quarter-elliptic leaf springs, which along with its Shackled Suspension System, made for a comfortable ride both on and off the road.

The Mk II's body design is a thing of beauty, with an art-deco influence, and Bertelli's inclination towards aerodynamic shapes. Its long, curved hood provided sleek, aerodynamic lines, and the car's body was made with lightweight aluminum, while the chassis was made of steel. Its refined, sleek design also made it a more reliable and stable high-speed performance car.

Inside, the 1 1/2-Litre Mk II Sport is a masterpiece of luxurious comfort, with two-tone leather seats, reflective of its era. Its dashboard features a full set of gauges for monitoring speed, rpm, fuel consumption, and oil pressure, complete with a tachometer and an ammeter. The car also has a classic wood steering wheel with a four-spoke hub and alloy rims.

The 1934 Aston Martin 1 1/2-Litre Mk II Sport by Bertelli is a truly remarkable car. Its combination of power, speed, luxury, and style made it an unparalleled masterpiece in its time. Today, this car has become a sought-after classic collector's item for automobile enthusiasts and investors worldwide. With its high-quality construction, outstanding engineering, and elegant design, the Mk II embodies the very best of British automobile engineering that can still be admired to this day.

Milestones

- The Aston Martin 1 1/2-Litre MK II Sports by Bertelli was first introduced in 1934 as a successor to the 1933 MK II model.
  • It featured a new chassis design and a revised engine with an output of 73 horsepower.

  • The bodywork was designed by Italian coachbuilder Bertelli and featured a stylish sloping grille and sweeping fenders.

  • The car was designed for sports car racing and had a top speed of around 90 mph.

  • In 1935, a competition version of the MK II sports was introduced, featuring a tuned engine and lightweight bodywork.

  • The competition version went on to achieve numerous successes in racing, including a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1935.

  • Production of the Aston Martin 1 1/2-Litre MK II Sports by Bertelli continued until 1936, with a total of 129 examples built.

  • Today, the car is considered a classic sports car and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.



Technical

- Engine: 1495 cc inline-4 engine

  • Power output: 73 bhp at 4,500 rpm

  • Transmission: 4-speed manual gearbox

  • Suspension: Semi-elliptic leaf springs with friction dampers at the front and semi-elliptic leaf springs with Hartford shock absorbers at the rear

  • Brakes: Girling hydraulic drums on all four wheels

  • Wheelbase: 2,591 mm

  • Length: 3,962 mm

  • Width: 1,549 mm

  • Weight: 953 kg (without body)

  • Top Speed: 80 mph (129 km/h)

  • Production: Only 130 examples were built between 1934 and 1935.

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