Footnotes

'For many Aston Martin enthusiasts the DB4 was the best of the post-war cars. Previous cars were lacking in power while the later DB5 and DB6 put on weight and were more like fast tourers than high-speed thoroughbreds...' – Mike Twite, 'Motors', 1967.

Classically proportioned and instantly recognisable 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 of the breed 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-litre, six-cylinder, double-overhead camshaft engine was the work of Tadek Marek, while the gearbox was a new David Brown four-speed all-synchromesh unit. 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. However, it should be made clear that the cars were not thus designated by the factory, this nomenclature having been suggested subsequently by the Aston Martin Owners Club to aid identification as the model evolved. The third series featured separate rear lights, two bonnet stays, and a host of improvements to the interior fittings. In all, approximately 1,100 of these iconic 'Gentleman's Express' sports saloons were produced between 1958 and 1963.

This DB4's accompanying copy guarantee form reveals that it was retailed via Garage Mirabeau and sold new to Claude Rouzaud. On 30th September 1958, Claude Rouzaud had been invited by David Brown and Marcel Blondeau (the then French importer) to the launch of the new DB4 at Garage Mirabeau in Paris.

At the time, Claude Rouzaud was boss of 'A la Marquise de Sévigné', a chocolate manufacturer founded in 1898 at Royat (Department of the Puy-de-Dôme) by his grandparents, Clémentine and Auguste Rouzaud. Despite the fact that David Brown addressed letters to Claude Rouzaud as 'Marquis de Sévigné' (a copy of one is on file) his customer was not in fact a marquis! While testing a DB4 belonging to Garage Mirabeau, Claude Rouzaud found a four-leafed clover that he carefully kept in a small envelope in the owner's manual.

Claude Rouzaud ended up ordering this car, 'DB4/621/L', which was delivered on 8th April 1961 and registered '6010 KZ 75'. He would keep the Aston for the next 47 years before offering it for sale at the Artcurial Paris auction where it was purchased by the current owner (copy invoice on file). At that time (2008) it was stated that the DB4 had recently been overhauled with new brakes and new stainless steel exhaust, and that it did not overheat and showed good oil pressure. The Aston has been on static display since acquisition and will require re-commissioning before further use. The car comes with impeccable provenance and originality and offered with original instruction book, warranty document and Garage Mirabeau certificate, plus copies of old French registration papers.

Please note that if this vehicle remains within France or Monaco, the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. If you purchase an imported vehicle under a private account, the Import VAT will be added to your Bonhams invoice however if you buy as a Trader or Company, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly and the Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered country's rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances.. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.

Please note that if this vehicle remains within Monaco or France, the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be applicable on the hammer price. All customs charges will be invoiced and collected directly by our customs agent, Benaim. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered country's rate and paid directly there. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.