Pre-eminent Aston Martin DB4 set for auction cameo
Amidst the continued clamour for the Aston Martin marque, Historics at Brooklands is set to auction a highly original example of the DB4, widely recognised as being responsible for establishing Aston Martin’s reputation as a road car specialist, at its sale on Saturday December 4th.
Replacing the DB Mark III and costing £3,976 when launched - £900 more than its predecessor - every major component on the DB4 was new, and significantly, the lightweight ‘Superleggera’ tubular frame helped establish the DB4 as the world’s first production car capable of 0-100-0 mph in less than 30 seconds, and a 0-60 mph time of under nine seconds.
As a pre-cursor to the renowned DB5, the DB4 continued Aston Martin’s racing pedigree but through a combination of its superb performance and an alluring Italian-style appearance, became the accepted ‘drivers’ model, and put Aston Martin back in direct competition with other major sports car manufacturers at that time.
The first model to be manufactured at the famed Tickford Street site in Newport Pagnell, five distinct series of the DB4 were produced, with the Series IV introducing a vertical barred (rather than eggcrate) grille, shallower bonnet intake and recessed rear lamps.
One of 1110 produced in total, DB4/796/R was registered on 9th November 1961 to its first owner in Knottingley, Yorkshire, where according to the build sheet, it was originally finished in a Black Pearl body colour with Terra Cotta interior, and a number of very rare factory options including overdrive, chrome wheels, electric window lifts and heated rear light.
With just four owners in nearly 50 years, and covering a believed genuine 72,000 miles from new – under 1500 per year - DB4/796/R is complete with history file and with offers expected in the region of £120,000 - £140,000, represents a rare opportunity to acquire an original and unmolested example of a car that epitomises sporting sophistication.
For more information, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the afternoon of December, visit historics.co.uk. Entry by catalogue only, available prior to, or on the day of the auction.
