1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon

Coachwork by Touring

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

*Original, left hand drive example
*Retains the original, matching numbers engine
*Three owners since 1968
*Documented by copies of factory records

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, October 3, 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

According to a copy of the original factory build record on file, DB4 chassis number DB4/438/L was delivered new to A.J. Cornforth, an Englishman living in Erlenbach, Switzerland. Finished in Peony Red over Champagne Connolly hides with chromed wheels, rear defroster, Marchal Fantastique fog lamps and more, the car was delivered on November 5, 1960. Cornforth would keep the car a few years, driving it an enthusiastic 10,000 kilometers a year before selling it to Major J.H. Bailey of Surrey, United Kingdom. Retained by Major Bailey for a few more years, the DB4 would come stateside in July of 1968 when it was purchased by Dr. David Rose, professor of Nuclear Engineering and Thermonuclear Fusion Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to export the factory recorded an extremely lengthy and extensive service befitting of a car about to enter the garage of an engineer.

The DB4 would come to California and in 1980 enter the garage of Dr. Rose's son. The current owner acquired the car on August 19th, 2007. Today this lovely 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon is in nicely patinaed condition with a largely original interior (although the radio has been replaced). The chassis and body plates are original, and the original, matching-numbers engine remains in the car. On static display since acquisition, recommissioning is recommended prior to active use. With only three owners in the last half century, this DB4 is accompanied by an old copy of the California pink slip and then aforementioned copy of the factory build sheet. The DB4 Series II remains one of the most desirable iterations of the celebrated Aston Martin model, featuring the 'cathedral style' taillights, tall bonnet scoop and original front grill design, and this left drive example is not one to be missed.