Handmade in the uk
Aston Martin DB2 Corrugated Bumpers & Body Side Mouldings
New- DB2 First Sanction
- DB2
Handmade brass corrugated bumpers and body side mouldings that faithfully recreate the distinctive ribbed profile characteristic of the earliest DB2 models from the David Brown Feltham era. Previously unavailable as complete sets, our comprehensive trim packages represent the first opportunity for customers to obtain fully‑formed corrugated bumper assemblies.
Corrugated front and rear bumpers were used in early DB2 production, while the corrugated body side mouldings were unique to the first 49 models—the “First Sanction” cars designed in the late 1940s and built soon after. These earliest production examples are instantly recognisable to marque enthusiasts by their distinctive vertically slatted three‑piece radiator grilles and bonnet‑mounted side vents—commonly known as the “washboard” side grilles—two brightwork components we also manufacture at DMark®.
The ribbed front and rear bumpers curve and follow the car’s lower body shape, while the straight body side mouldings are positioned beneath the doors on the lower bodywork, with the second section upon the panelled sill section behind the front wheels—aligned with the front and rear bumper positions. Trims that finish at the wheel arches have chamfered ends, with square‑cut terminations at the other ends.
From the 50th production DB2 onwards, the corrugated side body moulding strips were removed, though the front and rear corrugated bumpers continued briefly on subsequent DB2 models that retained the lower headlight configuration. At DMark® we provide variant set options to accommodate all cars and customer requirements.
Every component features the distinctive corrugated cross‑sectional profile with well‑characterised, true, well‑defined ribbing. Our proprietary manufacturing process ensures the corrugated geometry remains consistent throughout forming and shaping, avoiding the profile flattening, distortion or wobbles that can occur during some unsupported forming operations.
For defined ends, the ribbed profiles are correctly closed‑off flush rather than left open. For DMark® to completely finish components, we either cut to our default strip lengths or require measurements from the customer. We can:
- Apply our default measurements, or
- Work to customer‑supplied dimensions (or combine both approaches), or
- Leave one or both ends oversized for customer tailoring
For component ends to perfectly match your vehicle’s bodywork, we recommend clients supply the necessary dimensions. This enables us to cut and finish to those specific angles and lengths or, alternatively, components can be left oversized when preferred.
Where required, small brass flush end‑capping strips can be supplied to close off the ribbed ends. These caps are silver‑soldered in place.
Manufactured using dimensional data derived from an exemplary original vehicle and other genuine parts we have sourced, our custom tooling and forming techniques have overcome the significant manufacturing challenges these components present. Creating the corrugated profile demands specialised handling along vulnerable long and narrow lengths to maintain true, straight profiling without error.
We offer complete flexibility across all our configuration options, recognising the variations that can exist between individual vehicles and customers’ specific requirements.
The same corrugated profile and specialist DMark® tooling is also used to create the internal door trim mouldings mounted along the upper trim section of the door, which are half the width of these bumper trims.
All DMark® DB2 corrugated bumpers and body side mouldings are finished as polished brass, meticulously prepared across the intricate ribbed corrugation and chrome‑ready.
Customers may receive their complete corrugated trim set in polished brass or chrome plated once the part has been finalised. DMark® partners exclusively with established, reputable electroplating specialists who share our exacting quality standards and understand the complexities of plating vulnerable sheet components.
There are clients who prefer DMark® to manage the chrome plating process, however, we understand some customers prefer to coordinate plating themselves—particularly when batching with other polished and chrome‑ready componentry after a dry‑fit.
Our improved brass fixture plates with 2BA threaded studs are soft‑soldered directly to the backside of the ribbed profile or supplied separately for customer installation. The backing plate has a substantially larger surface area than a screw head and will not deform the trim when soldered, secured to the car, or overtightened, distributing mounting forces across a wider area to prevent localised deformation—which is not an uncommon thing to see.
Components can be supplied at standard dimensions, with customer‑specified measurements, or oversized with additional material length for customer trimming and tailoring to their specific vehicle requirements. Flush finishing end‑cap strips for ribbed end closures are available if required.
Primarily made‑to‑order due to the customisation options available.
Complete mounting fixtures available as integrated or separate components according to customer preference.
Customers should be aware that vehicles with extensive repairs may have altered bodywork geometry due to paintwork processes and body filler usage, which can subtly affect panel shape where these corrugated bumpers are positioned. We have taken considerable care to replicate the most authentic original geometry, though this may occasionally differ from a vehicle’s current surface characteristics. Similarly, mounting point positions in a vehicle’s bodywork may vary from new DMark® component stud positioning.
The complete eight‑component set plus centre bridging piece comprising:
Front Bumper Assembly: Near‑side and off‑side corrugated front bumper sections, curved to wrap around the car’s lower front body contours
Rear Bumper Assembly: Near‑side and off‑side corrugated rear bumper sections, formed to follow the lower rear body profile
Body Side Mouldings: Four individual straight corrugated body side trim sections (two per side) positioned beneath the door and on the lower body sill panel behind the front wheel arch.
Centre Bridging Piece: We also supply a small bridging piece manufactured from the same corrugated profile that covers the join where the two rear sections meet. This piece is secured by two smaller 4BA studs that fit closely between the off‑side and near‑side trims.
While we believe this trim component was not fitted to vehicles leaving the factory originally, it has become a common addition on cars that have undergone subsequent resprays with heavy filler usage or bodywork repair where panel contouring or alignment has changed, creating gaps between the trim sections that they were unable to adapt. The presence of plain, non‑ribbed bridging plates on some vehicles suggests this was indeed a later modification.
However, we do supply this small additional piece for customers who require it, though when our bumper trims are fitted and tailored correctly, the two sides will meet flush and square, with no gaps.
Each component maintains authentic corrugated profile geometry throughout its formed curves, and is manufactured to the highest DMark® standards for period correctness and fitment quality. All components, except for the small centre bridging piece, include our improved stud backing plate fixturing to prevent installation‑related deformation.
Corrugated Profile Integrity
DMark® has invested significant development efforts in creating the specialised tooling and manufacturing techniques to make these bumper strips. We’ve only succeeded through persistence and trial‑and‑error refinement.
Our bespoke tooling performs two critical functions: creating the corrugated profiling with exceptional accuracy and consistency, while also maintaining shape through subsequent stages in the forming process required to replicate the vehicle’s lower bodywork, front, and rear valance contouring—maintaining cross‑sectional integrity throughout the length of each part.
Every DMark® corrugated component retains its period‑correct ribbed profiling from the straightest sections through to the tight curved areas on the front valance.
Deformation Prevention
Original stud mountings soldered directly to the back of the trim often resulted in rows of impressions from overtightening, or when the ribbed brass sheet had been annealed sufficiently during soldering that it would deform when secured to the vehicle’s bodywork, pulling and distorting the corrugated profile against the bodywork.
Our improved mounting solution using an enlarged backing plate eliminates this issue by bridging across the mirrored ribbed profiles, strengthening the area and providing superior load distribution during installation and adjustment.
DB2 First Sanction Component Availability
The same corrugated profile and manufacturing tooling used for these exterior bumper components also helps us create the similar internal door trim mouldings (available separately) found secured to the upper door trim.
DMark® also manufactures both the distinctive three‑piece radiator grille and the “washboard” side grilles that pre‑date the horizontally slatted one‑piece grille shape. Together, for the first time, customers now have the most distinctive brightwork on the First Sanction cars available to purchase.
Historical Significance & Rarity
The early David Brown era DB2 Aston Martins came during a post‑war period when the design of British sports cars evolved markedly from pre‑war innovation and motoring into modern grand touring.
The early First Sanction models, now over 75 years old, are rare and attract considerable interest. Today, these examples are among the most valuable and sought‑after DB2s, with surviving examples commanding premium valuations at international auctions and private sales.
Vehicle‑Specific Adaptation
We recognise that DB2 vehicles, particularly those with extensive restoration history, can exhibit variations in mounting points and body geometry. Our flexible manufacturing approach accommodates these individual characteristics through careful customisation and engineering.
This attention to detail extends to all aspects of our corrugated trim packages—from providing optional centre bridging pieces for vehicles that may require them, to ensuring precise dimensional tailoring that eliminates gaps and achieves authentic period‑correct fitment.
Bespoke by DMark®
Two‑component front bumper set comprising near‑side and off‑side corrugated front bumper sections. Each section maintains authentic period geometry following the lower body‑shape and front valance.
Two‑component rear bumper set comprising near‑side and off‑side corrugated rear bumper sections, plus the centre bridging piece, each formed to authentic rear‑end geometry.
Four‑component body side moulding set providing complete near‑side and off‑side corrugated body trim coverage.
Two‑component near‑side body moulding set for customers requiring a single‑side replacement.
Two‑component off‑side body moulding set for customers requiring a single‑side replacement.
