Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 123
1961 Aston Martin DB4 "SERIES III" SPORTS SALOON Chassis no. DB4/736/L Engine no. 370/1050/SS (see text)
Sold for €362,250 inc. premium
Lot 123
In single family ownership for the last 53 years
1961 Aston Martin DB4 "SERIES III" SPORTS SALOON
1961 Aston Martin DB4 "SERIES III" SPORTS SALOON
1961 Aston Martin DB4 "SERIES III" SPORTS SALOON
Chassis no. DB4/736/L
Engine no. 370/1050/SS (see text)
Chassis no. DB4/736/L
Engine no. 370/1050/SS (see text)
• Delivered new to Paris where it has resided since
• Original left-hand drive example
• Extensive documentation since 1969 on file
• Rare and powerful "SS" engine
• Used in numerous events across Europe in the last 50 years
• Original left-hand drive example
• Extensive documentation since 1969 on file
• Rare and powerful "SS" engine
• Used in numerous events across Europe in the last 50 years
Footnotes
"Performance, controllability and comfort have been combined in the Aston Martin DB4 to make it a highly desirable car; one in which long journeys can be completed very quickly indeed with the minimum of risk or discomfort, and the maximum of pleasure." – The Motor.
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 the W O Bentley-era engine. 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. Immensely strong, the latter had been designed by Harold Beach and replaced the preceding DB2/4's multi-tubular spaceframe, which was considered incompatible with the 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. The DB4 was available only as a closed sports saloon until September 1961 when the convertible version was unveiled at that year's Motor Show. Priced at £4,449, it was £250 more expensive than the saloon. Passenger space was little changed, though there was more headroom than the saloon could offer.
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.' The 3.7-litre, six-cylinder power unit was the work of Tadek Marek and had first been seen at Le Mans the previous year in the works DBR2 sports-racer, while the gearbox was a new David Brown four-speed all-synchromesh unit. The Motor recorded a two-way mean maximum speed of almost 140mph in their 'test' DB4, while at the same time recording acceleration figures from 10mph in top gear!
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 first series 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 callipers and an enlarged sump were the major changes made on the Series 2, while the Series 3 of 1961 featured separate rear lights, two bonnet stays and a host of improvements to the interior fittings. Manufactured between September 1961 and October 1962, the Series 4 was readily distinguishable by its shallower bonnet intake, recessed rear lights and new grille with seven vertical bars. The final Series 5 was lengthened by some 3½", to 15' (allowing for increased legroom and a larger boot) and gained 15" wheels, an electric radiator fan, and the DB4 GT-type instrument panel.
Leaving the factory on 22nd June 1961, this Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 was delivered on 10th October by the Garage Mirabeau in Paris to a Mr Jean Masset in the 16th arrondissement. Registered "79 LN 75", the car was painted in Caribbean Pearl and finished with a Dark Blue Connolly leather interior and was fitted with an optional oil cooler and chrome wire-wheels. During its warranty period, the car covered just over 10,000 kilometres, undergoing various light servicing operations referenced in its factory sheet.
In July 1969, DB4/736/L passed into the hands of Mr Jean-Luc Olivier, still in Paris. In the same year, a Mr. Ariowitsch crashed his DB4 chassis DB4C/1081/L – a Series V Convertible fitted with an SS Engine, the parts of which were subsequently sold by Auto Sport Michel Dagorne, in Vitry-sur-Seine. This is how the car we offer here, DB4/736/L, came to be equipped with the Special Series engine (370/1050/SS) instead of its old engne (370/712), acquired as a trade-in by Michel Dagorne, as confirmed by the invoice on file. The work was carried out by Aston Martin's French importer, Garage Mirabeau, in October 1969. The car had 97,402 kilometres on the clock. Traces of this work can be found on file but also in the Mirabeau archives, where the new engine number is noted. In December 1969, the DB4 was given a cosmetic overhaul, again by Garage Mirabeau, before being sold to its last and current family owners in April 1970.
With approximately 111,000 kilometres on the clock, the DB4 became a faithful companion to the family, who have kept the car to this day. For the first ten years, it was the only car owned by the Parisian couple and their two children, travelling around Europe during holidays and to other motoring events. Regularly maintained over the years by Garage Mirabeau and others, notably with parts sourced from Aston Martin Dorset, the cars history file contains a large number of invoices throughout the years. In 1999 the maintenance was taken over by Aston Martin specialist Garage Lamy, who took care of the paintwork, still in its original colour. During the 2000s, the DB4 was driven less but still took part in various rallies and other AMOC France meetings, as well as in various fashion ads and TV spots, including an advert for an electronic toll on French TV.
This Aston Martin has always been maintained and kept in running order by its owners. In 2014, the car had its clutch and flywheel replaced, and more recently the fuel pump was replaced.
This car is offered for sale for the first time in the last 53 years. Sold with numerous invoices, documents, and pictures from the last half-century, this DB4 is just waiting for a new owner to start the next part of its life!
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