![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/091181EA-85B2-4829-823C-1091C8E0F78E/2MA7XE0.jpg)
Close-up of Richard Lake's Red, 1938, Aston Martin Speed Model, in the National Pit Garages, at the 2022 Silverstone Classic
Following on from the disappointment over the aborted 1936 Le Mans race, 23 of the 25 chassis laid down in 1936 eventually became Speed Models, although delivery was spread over the following 4 years. These cars had quite a mixture of body styles, by E Bertelli, Abbey and Aston Martin without recognisable standard coachwork. Those with 2/4 seater bodies by are described as 'Type A'. A pair of cars, known as the 'Type B' were bodied by Abbey Coachworks. The easily distinguished 'Type C' were bodied by the Aston Martin factory themselves. Both the 15/98 2 litre saloon and tourer weren't especially long lasting in their original forms. Once the coach built bodies were damaged or aged due to use they were often uneconomic to repair. This actually wasn't the end of these otherwise will engineered cars. It has become quite common and acceptable to rebuild them as much sportier Speed Models retaining the chassis, engine and gearbox.
Size: 4779px × 3691px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -quarters, 15/98, 1938, 1950cc, 2, 500, 2022, aston, brdc, cars, classic, close-, front, lake, litre, martin, model, mrl, pre-war, red, richard, silverstone, speed, sports, view