1938 Aston Martin 15/98 Short-Chassis

A pre-war sports car requires more skill and nerve than newer machinery, but the rewards can be enjoyable at speeds just over the legal limit

by Stephen Serio

By the mid-1930s, Aston Martin was one of the most admired British sporting makes. Solidly engineered, low-built,1.5-liter sports-racers took the team prize in the 1934 Tourist Trophy race in Ulster, followed by an impressive third in the 1935 Le Mans 24 hours.

But if the company were to survive, it had to widen its appeal. New cars appeared for the Le Mans 1936 race. They were two-seaters, broadly similar to the Ulster but with a longer stroke, 100-hp, 2-liter version of the well-proven wet-sump engine. Aston Martin combined the new type’s fiscal horsepower and rated power for the 15/98 title. The cars had a good synchromesh gearbox, effective hydraulic brakes and magneto ignition.

The front axle received an upper-mounted steel cable to locate it and resist front spring wind-up. Built-in axle jacks were provided. A short-chassis sports four-seater managed 82 mph, and for the first time, it seemed that the company had a chassis suitable for...