1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 Saloon

Coachwork by Touring

3,670cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Dual SU Carburetors
240bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Disk Brakes

*One of only 73 left-hand drive DB4 Series 1s built
*Retains the original, matching numbers engine
*Delivered new to famed French attorney René Plasseraud
*Successfully completed many prominent road rallies

THE ASTON MARTIN DB4

'When the products which are raced bear such a close resemblance to those which can be bought by the public, as do those of Aston Martin, only the most biased can deny the value of racing in improving the breed. It should be no surprise (that the DB4) should be based on an engine which first appeared in experimental form in some of last year's races.' - The Autocar, 3rd October 1958

Classically proportioned and instantly recognizable from the moment of its introduction, the Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4 established a look that would survive, with only minor revisions, until 1970. At its launch in October 1958, the DB4 marked a major turning point for Aston Martin as it was the first car of the David Brown era which neither used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939 nor an engine designed at Lagonda under the auspices of W O Bentley. Moreover, it was the first Aston Martin to carry Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' bodywork, in which light alloy panels were fixed to a framework of light-gauge steel tubes welded to a platform chassis. Although styled by Touring, the DB4's gorgeous fastback coachwork was built under license at Newport Pagnell by Aston Martin, which employed some of the finest panel beaters in the industry. The result was a car whose sleek lines were described as 'unmistakably Italian and yet... equally unmistakably Aston Martin.'

First seen at Le Mans the previous year in the DBR2, the 3.7-liter, six-cylinder, double-overhead camshaft engine was the work of Tadek Marek, formerly with Austin, while the gearbox was a new David Brown four-speed all-synchromesh unit. An immensely strong platform-type chassis, designed by Harold Beach, replaced the preceding DB2/4's multi-tubular spaceframe, the latter being considered incompatible with Touring's Superleggera body construction. The DB2/4's trailing-link independent front suspension gave way to unequal-length wishbones while at the rear the DB4 sported a live axle located by a Watts linkage instead of its predecessor's Panhard rod. Boasting disc brakes all round and with 240bhp on tap, the DB4 was the first production car capable of accelerating from a standing start to 100mph and back to rest again in under 30 seconds. At a time when few family saloons were capable of exceeding 70mph and took an age to get there, this staggering performance made the DB4 just about the fastest thing on the road, easily the equal of its Italian rivals.

Manufactured between October 1958 and June 1963, the DB4 developed through no fewer than five series. The first had already undergone a number of improvements, including the fitting of heavy-duty bumpers after the first 50 cars, before the second series arrived in January 1960. A front-hinged bonnet, bigger brake calipers, and an enlarged sump were the major changes made on the Series II, while the third series featured separate rear lights, two bonnet stays, and a host of improvements to the interior fittings. The fourth series was readily distinguishable by its new grille (with seven vertical bars), shallower bonnet intake, and recessed rear lights, while the final (fifth) series manufactured between September 1962 and June 1963 was built on a 3.5" longer wheelbase (allowing for increased leg room and a larger trunk) and gained 15" wheels, an electric radiator fan and the DB4GT-type instrument panel.

One of the most notable developments had arrived with the introduction of the 'Series IV' in September 1961, when a 'Special Series' (SS) or 'Vantage' engine became available as an option. The 'SS' incorporated a 9.0:1 compression ratio, larger valves, and triple SU HD8 carburetors.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This DB4 Series 1 was among the last of its series built, the 114th of 149 total. It was ordered new by pioneering intellectual property lawyer René Plasseraud—after whom one of France's most established international intellectual property law firms, Cabinet Plasseraud, takes its name—through French Aston Martin dealer Garage Mirabeau in November of 1959. Copies of factory records indicate the car was built in December 1959 and finished in Peony Red over a Beige Connolly leather interior with optional chromed wire wheels and Radiomobile radio.

Factory correspondence between Aston Martin and Mr. Plasseraud indicate the car was regularly maintained including several warranty repairs in October of 1960. The DB4 appears to have remained in France for the majority of its life and was subject to a comprehensive restoration by recognized Aston Martin specialists Garage Lamy of Villejuif, France in 2001 with receipts totaling nearly €100,000. The car remained with the French owner who had commissioned the restoration for a further seven years before being acquired by the current owner in June of 2007.

Since acquiring the car, this rare DB4 Series 1—one of only 73 left hand drive examples to roll out of the factory works at Newport Pagnell—has been sparingly driven. Given its 14 years of recent storage, some level of recommissioning is recommended before active use.

A highly desirable machine that is eligible for countless events including the Colorado Grand, Copperstate 1000, Going to the Sun Rally, and much more, it is equally at home winding through the Tail of the Dragon as it is processioning up a country club's winding drive.