90 years of the Aston Martin MkII and Ulster models

2024 marks the anniversary of two very important early models in the 111-year Aston Martin story, the MkII and the Ulster. You may not immediately have thought of these cars, or even know what they are, but this year’s Aston Martin Heritage Festival will celebrate them both, with a number of fine examples on display. So why the big deal? Let’s have a look at the background to these two vitally important models from our early history…

Following the purchase of the Aston Martin marque by ‘Bert’ Bertelli in 1926, the business introduced an entirely new model and, very soon after that, began racing with Works versions of it known as Team Cars with chassis numbers LM1, LM2 and so on, right up to LM21.  Incredibly, Aston Martin developed three entirely new models between 1926 and 1934, each with long and short chassis variants and a variety of body styles from saloon to race. 1934 saw the introduction of the third model, known as the MKII, and as was traditional a Team Car version was built alongside – later to be known as the Ulster.

One noticeable feature of the new model was its very elegant, but fully functional, vertically slatted radiator grille. These slats opened and closed thermostatically, a feature that could be found on certain prestigious marques of the time, albeit normally on much bigger cars. The MkII was finished to a high standard and was well equipped for its time. The folding roof was positioned outside the rear body, to give more room to the occasional rear seat. The car had a high-quality feel and, in many ways, was the beginning of how future Aston Martins would be viewed – as high-quality sports cars.

In addition to the standard ‘2/4’ body, the MkII could also be ordered as a ‘Drop Head Coupe’ (with a more substantial folding roof and roll up windows) and on a longer chassis, a full four-seater tourer or four-door saloon was also available.

The MkII wore the newly introduced ‘wings’ Aston Martin badge, from which the current badge derives, proudly on its vee-shaped radiator. This badge, designed by racing driver, journalist and great Aston Martin supporter S.C.H. Davis, had first been seen in 1932.  It was based on artwork found in ancient Egypt, which was all the rage following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1923. The new badges were only fitted to certain models, but from 1934 onwards all models would carry the now unmistakable emblem.

In the mid-30s Aston Martin was very much at the forefront of endurance motor racing. Since the very start of the brand, year by year, the owners of Aston Martin were increasing their investment into purpose built ‘team cars’ and strategically entering races at home and abroad. From 1928 the factory-owned Team Cars were numbered with a LM prefix, LM1, LM2, etc. For 1934, three new cars were built for the team, LM11, LM12 and LM14, which all raced in that year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race. In an unusual move, for the following season two of the cars were rebuilt to comply with the regulations for that year’s Tourist Trophy. LM11 and LM12 morphed into LM15 and LM16. As a result, these new cars, with their beautifully rounded tails which enclosed the spare wheel, where to be known as ‘Ulsters’.  LM11 & LM12 had extensively drilled chassis which made them ineligible for the TT hence they were re-built on new, un-drilled chassis. 

In a bid to give the team more luck, the highly superstitious Italian Managing Director, A.C. ‘Bert’ Bertelli changed the racing team colour from green to red. By coincidence the cars were much more successful, achieving a 3rd place overall at Le Mans in 1935 with an impressive average speed of 75.22mph. As such, it's true to say that these were the first truly iconic Aston Martin cars. The team cars spawned a production model that the public could buy, although the substantial price of £750 meant that just 21 examples were sold. 

The production Ulster was sold with a guaranteed top speed of 100mph, each car being tested at the Brooklands motor racing circuit before handover to verify the ambitious claim. They featured a more powerful (85bhp) variant of the usual 1.5 litre four-cylinder Aston Martin engine plus some items, such as the handbrake, were drilled to shave a few more ounces. The Ulster was nothing less than the British supercar of the 1930s and, thankfully, all of them survive and are now highly collectable.  

The MkII and Ulster models really did pave the way for how Aston Martin would operate for many decades, with their influence stretching, perhaps, right up to today. Good looking, comfortable, fast sports cars with real track-developed technology – just as today’s production Vantage model has racing siblings. The old saying goes: “race on Sunday, sell on Monday…”