One of the most important pre-war Aston Martin models called Ulster had two profiles. one is ultra high performance sports car and another is a pure racing car.
Only a very small number were built, but they are outstanding in terms of beauty, rarity and racing history, they are a pivotal model in the history of Aston Martin.
The Ulster was the most advanced of a series of 1.5-litre SOHC-engined models created by period company owner Bertelli brothers, who created the golden age of pre-war Aston Martin. Ulster has a high performance engine with a specially designed head and domed pistons in a short 8ft7in chassis. It was equipped with a special two-seater lightweight body and various components specifically designed for racing.
Improvements such as raising the engine compression ratio to 9.5:1 resulted in a maximum output of approximately 85 bhp and a top speed of 100 mph for all Ulsters fully equipped.
Definition of its models by Aston Martin has always been a little complicated.
This is exactly the case with the Ulster, and there have been some theories about the number of cars produced.
Aston Martin Heritage Trust states that 31 cars known as the Ulster were produced. 2 of these were rebuilt with new serial number, so in effect 29 cars were produced in total.
The 29 cars are broken down into 21 customer car models and 8 works team cars.
The origin of the 'Ulster' was a customer car chassis number C4/403/S for then client Sir Richard J Barton. itbuilt as a replica of 3 works team cars built in 1934. It is listed as 'Replica of LE MANS RACING CARS 1934" in the period build sheet by Aston Martin.
This 1 racer replica and 3 team cars are all recognized as "Ulster" in later.
They appear to have been built at about the same time.
C4/403/S was completed with the engine tested in March 1934 and the frame diverted from the works car LM12, which competed at Le Mans on 17 June, and registered and delivered on 21 July under number BML58.
And then about 3 works team cars that were built at the same time as the first Ulster and which served as references for it.
For the 1934 season, Aston Martin's 3 works team cars were given chassis numbers LM11, LM12 and (skipping the ominous number) LM14, and first tried out for their debut race at Le Mans.
However, engine problems resulted in all 3 cars retiring.
In the 1934 Tourist Trophy at Ards, Northern Ireland, in September, the car showed its ability by finishing 3rd, 6th and 7th.
Earlier after Le Mans, the LM11 and LM12 were deliberately replaced with a normal chassis as their lightweight chassis conflicted with RAC regulations which stated that the car must be in catalogue specification at the time of registration. The LM11 and LM12 were renewed as the LM15 and LM16 respectively.
This was necessary because they had been registered on the road just before the race, while the LM14 was registered after Le Mans and entered the TT in its original form.
These two identity changes are the reason why two theories have been circulated about the number of Ulster cars produced 31 and 29 unites.
Thus, the Ulster, originally billed as a Le Mans replica, was given the name 'Ulster' when it made its debut at the Olympia show in October, following a result of Le Mans in June and a successful Ulster TT in September.
Almost allUlsters had a two-seater body in accordance with AIACR regulations and had a uniquely shaped tail end with a horizontally positioned spare tyre.
26 of the 29 cars produced were built as two-seaters and only 3 chassis numbers #508, #570 and #591, were built as 2/4-seaters with rear seats. *One more, chassis #551, was built as a two-seater and then converted to a 2/4-seater, which it still retains today.
This Car
This car, chassis number F4/444/S is one of 21 customer chassis Ulster built, the second of which is a very early example.
This car has been recognized as an original Ulster from that time to the present day, and its history is documented in Heritage Trust documents and the Ulster Book by Parawan press.
The chassis number F4/444/S can be deciphered the "F4" indicates the year of production.
This refers to the year of manufacture of the engine, not the chassis, which would have been made at the same time unless there were special circumstances.
The first digit of the alphabet indicates the month of production: A=January, L= December and so on, so “F” in this car is the sixth digit of the alphabet and was produced in June.
The second digit indicates the year of production: 0 for 1930, 9 for 1939 and 40 for 1940. The 4 in this car represents the year 1934.
This means that the car's engine was built in June 1934, and the chassis can be read to have been built at the same time or around the same time.
The numbers in the middle, separated by a slash, are the serial numbers of the cars produced at Aston Martin's Feltham factory by Bertelli, starting in 1927. This car is numbered 444, but because the number is rounded up at the turn of the series, it is literally about the 302nd car, not the 444th.
The final symbol "S" after the slash means short chassis.
Almost Ulsters have a "U" suffix (later model as “Speed models” and “C-type” also have this “U” suffix) instead of an "S", Only the first 4 Ulster customer cars had the "S" suffix.
This car was probably built on 1 June 1934. The basis for this is next Ulster chassis #447 was produced on 1.June.1934 according to the Bonhams auction catalog, and this chassis #444 which is one before #447 chassis number has also 'F4' indicates June 1934 production, so
logically that would be the production date.
The original customer card of F4/444/S from the AM Heritage trust contains supporting records from the Ulster Book. The number 3-7-34 appears under the chassis number on the customer card, which is the date of delivery as shown in the title of F4/444/S in the Ulster Book.
This is an earlier delivery date than the first chassis C4/403/S.
On the other hand, the text of the Ulster Book states that it was delivered in chassis on 30.6.34.
In any case, we can assume that it was delivered at this time.
This F4/444/S was originally delivered in rolling chassis condition to the London Aston Martin dealer, Rawlence & Co, where a Marshall supercharger was fitted. The car was apparently tested for improved performance with a supercharger.
After testing, the car was sent to Enrico Bertelli, Aston's main body shop in Feltham, where an Ulster two-seater body was fitted.
The scene is captured in photos. This extremely racy appearance is a well-known photograph of the Ulster and is featured in books about Aston Martin.
As for the first owner, several books and sources suggest that it was Sir Ronald Gunter, a well- known racing driver and one of the Bentley Boys, but there does not appear to be any official record of this by customer sheet or otherwise.
The date of registration of the public road registration number BYE 526 (BY or YE are also London area code) is unknown at this time in the available data.
The car was subsequently owned by several enthusiasts, including racing drivers, and participated in many racing events since the war.
In light of the customer card and the Ulster Book research, it appears that the car's engine and chassis were replaced by Aston Martin Service at some point.
The new chassis No. 9878 and the new engine No. 10324 are listed on the customer card, respectively.
Below a summary of the information with reference to the Customer card, Ulster Book and AMOC Register Book.
BRIEF CAR HISTORY:
1.Jun.1934
Engine tested by Aldridge, 'No trouble on bench'.
30.Jun.1934
Delivered chassis via Winter Garden Garages (London)to L. C. Rawlence & Co.
Body fitted afterwards. According to the Ulster book.
3.Jun.1934
Delivered date(?) on customer card.
7.Jul.1934
Instruction book sent.
22.Sep.1934
Listed in the program at the BRDC 6th International 500-mile race at Brooklands, Car No. 31,
as supercharged. It was entered by R. F. Oats, a Brooklands habitué, with his friend Bert Bertelli
as co-driver.
It is believed that it did not actually run in the race.
20.Nov.1934
“Rear spring Rear springs changed & clutch lever movement modified.” According to Customer card.
Feb.1936 to Jan.1938
Advertised for sale from Brooklands motors, Euston road, London, as Unused racing car costing over GBP 1000 for a 500mile race.
This period. This car haspurchased by Brian Lester Howell, London.
1939
Owned by Dennis Campbell (LM18 owner, sold LM in Malawi in '37 and returned home).
8.July.1939
Participated in the Leinster Trophy Race on the Tallacht circuit, by Dennis Campbell.
Missing records from circa 1934 to 1947 on Aston Martin customer cards.
An undated supplement to the customer card mentions a new chassis (no. 9878) and a new engine (no. 10324). Possibly replaced by Aston Martin Ltd.
16.Jun.1947
'Complete overhaul of engine, etc.'
28.Jan.1948
Advertisement for sale. Described as a body with doors. Body with doors is a feature of the LM16 and LM18. Repainted to Red.
24 May 1948
The Autocar advertise 'Special Ulster Aston Martin, this car is in brand new condition having had £400 spent on her, the engine was completely overhauled 2,000 miles ago ... new Marlett racing pistons (9.7 compression), racing camshaft, lightened balanced flywheel, drilled
racing brake drums, body fitted with special brake lever and door, resprayed ... spares worth over £200 ... one previous owner ...has had little use. 4 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield 7'.
31.Aug.1948
Cylinder Head removed Sump removed. Piston rings, valve collars and others replaced.
2.Dec.1948
Fit H.C. pistons check Rockers, Engine No Ulster type Rad. set front springs. According to customer card. These can be read as confirmation of high compression ratio pistons and rocker arms. Confirmation of the engine number can be read as the possibility that the engine
block was replaced at this time. It also reads that the Ulster type radiator and front springs were replaced.
1949~
Owned by A. Middleton Campbell (RAF SqdnLdr)
18.Jun.1949
BOC meeting,Silverstone. Car no. 35. Middleton Campbell. (Photographed)
29.Jul.1950
AMOC St John Horsfall Memorial trophy race Car number 66. A. Middleton Campbell
10.Nov.1950
“General overhaul of engine. Fit 2nd hand cylinder block. New connecting rods etc.” by Friary Motors According to Ulster book.
Friary Motors is Coachbuilder owned by Aston Martin limited owner Gordon Sutherland.
20.Sep.1952
Snetterton Meating. car no. 55 Entered by A.M. Campbell. Driven by Dennis Campbell.
19.Jun.1954
AMOCʼs USAF Meating, Snetterton, Car no 78. Ivor Robertson apparently painted black.
24.Jul.1954
St John Horsfall Memorial trophy race car no 81. Ivor Robertson
Dec.1955
Owned by J.Bennett, Stoke-on Trent.
Dec.1957
Purchased by Ian H Mann (Worcester and Twyford)
May. 1958
David Brown Relay race meeting, Silverstone. Car no 12,20C
Jul. 1958
AMOC Silverstone Horsfall meeting, Car no 78
Aug.1958
BDC meeting car number 27
Jul.1959
AMOC Silverstone Horsfall meeting Car number 70
Apr.1959
AMOC/JDC Martini meeting Brands hatch, car number 55 accident by Mann
May.1959
David brown relay race meeting, Silverstone. Car no 11,20B
May.1960
Martini Trophy meeting car no 32
Jun.1960
Oulton park VSCC, accident?
May.1964
AMOC Silverstone Horsfall meeting, Car Number 120
c.1980
Purchased by A. Rossbach, Germany
He also owned a Mk.II E4/442/S, which is still in the USA.
Mid-1985
Purchased present owner from Ecurie Bertelli as ex-Ian Mann car. Restored by Morntain Engineering. Old body purchased by Rossbach.
5.Oct.1986
Second in class at AMOC Concours in Kent.
c. 1987
Imported to Japan
