P1800 protoype with Aston Martin Engine

[fishyboy]

Hi all,
Saw this on the Jensen Owners Club Forum. Looks like a "tribute" rather than original. Any truth?
Phil

Volvo-Aston Martin
In the early 60’s Aston Martin had plans to sell engines to other manufacturers but did not want to sell their six-cylinder engine and so developed a prototype four cylinder engine for that purpose, with a 2.5litre DOHC 150hp engine – project DP208.

Requiring a test car, they turned to Jensen/Volvo and installed an engine in a P1800. Three engines were produced, but only one P1800 with the AM 4-cyl engine. The car produced is recognisable with the power bulge.

[cassell]

This car was on the Volvo Owners Club stand at the NEC for the 1800 50th anniversary year in 2012, as far as I can recall from the exhibition information displayed with it, it is genuine (and beautiful), shame it never went into production.

[Groundes-Peace]

There was indeed a documented project trying a 4 cylinder development of the Aston Martin DB series engine, with a reduced capacity of 2.5 litres.
From the project apparently three cars were taken forward of which one car survives, currently residing in Switzerland.
I will see if I can post some additional photos .

[classicswede]

Thanks for sharing

[Derek UK]

Actually the 2011 NEC show. I have a set of pictures I took of the engine bay and a couple of the car. No interior pics I'm afraid so I don't know if there were any changes inside. I can post more pics if needed.

[Underdrive]

Interesting that although the conversion was done for Aston Martin by David Brown which would presumably be in the UK, they used a LHD P1800. Looks like a tight fit in the engine bay, cooling might have been marginal but maybe not an issue for the current owner in Switzerland.

[c1800]

Some interesting reading here.

https://www.woonkymobile.info/aston-martin-3/us.html

[Underdrive]

Originally Posted by c1800

Some interesting reading here.

https://www.woonkymobile.info/aston-martin-3/us.html

It does make fascinating reading and explains my question about why LHD. It's not the original car but a period correct Jenson built Swiss LHD car fitted with the original Aston engine. Interesting that although they only cast three blocks and heads, this sole remaining engine has a spare crankshaft and other spares with it. Also the engine originally had SUs not webers.

[Laird Scooby]

Amazing conversion and kind of ironic that Ford later owned both Volvo and Aston-Martin at the same time.

Makes you wonder what could have been if things like cost hadn't got in the way..............