Richard Stafford
Senior Specialist, Head of Research
LOT 121 *
1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon Chassis no. DB4/1215/L Engine no. 370/1154/SS
Sold for €253,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 121*
Original left-hand drive, Special Series example
1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon
1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon
1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon
Chassis no. DB4/1215/L
Engine no. 370/1154/SS
Chassis no. DB4/1215/L
Engine no. 370/1154/SS
• One of only some 55 DB4 Series V Vantages made
• Seems to be the last Aston Martin DB4 ever produced
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Professionally restored in the Netherlands circa 1998-2000
• Little used since restoration
• Requires recommissioning
"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.
Classically proportioned and instantly recognisable from the moment of its introduction in 1958, the Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4 established a look that would survive, with only minor revisions, until 1970. 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 carburettors, producing 266bhp at 5,750rpm, a gain of 26 horsepower over the standard unit. Almost all DB4 Vantages were built with the faired-in headlights of the DB4GT, including the car offered here. The DB4 Series V Vantage is one of the rarest and most desirable of the DB range with only some 55 cars built in this final incarnation of the DB4. Indeed, the original 'James Bond' car used in the filming of Goldfinger was a DB4 Series V, as they look virtually identical to the DB5 which at that time was not quite ready.
Left-hand drive chassis number '1215/L' was delivered new to the USA and first owned by Mr Norman C Stone of Atherton, California. According to Aston Service Dorset, this car has the highest numerical chassis number and would therefore be the last DB4 ever produced. The car was originally finished in Caribbean Pearl with dark blue Connolly leather interior, and left the Newport Pagnell factory equipped with chrome wheels; two wing fuel tanks; Normalair air conditioning; Sundym glass (screen, windows, and quarter lights); Britax safety belts; and a Motorola radio.
Around 1966 the Aston was owned by Templeton Motors Ltd on First Avenue, New York. Its subsequent owners are not known but by 1998 the car was at Lusso Service in Holland. Lusso Service commenced a 'ground upwards' restoration, which was completed by Red Willow Racing during 1999/2000. The car was restored and finished again in Caribbean Pearl with a blue leather interior. When it arrived in Holland the DB4 had already been fitted with a period electric sunroof; the air conditioning had been removed, and it was decided to keep the car in this specification. The rebuild was finished in December 2000 and the Aston sold to a new owner in Portugal, who did not use it very often as he was occupied with Historic racing. While in Portugal the car was always professionally serviced in Lisbon.
The current owner purchased the DB4 via dealer Michael Olu Brinkert in June 2007, since when it has been kept on static display as part of his extensive private collection. Recommissioning will be required before the car returns to the road. Offered with the 2007 sales invoice, this ultra-rare DB4 Series V Vantage represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of these most sought-after Aston Martin models.
Please note that this car is not offered with registration documents.
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
• Seems to be the last Aston Martin DB4 ever produced
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Professionally restored in the Netherlands circa 1998-2000
• Little used since restoration
• Requires recommissioning
"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.
Classically proportioned and instantly recognisable from the moment of its introduction in 1958, the Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4 established a look that would survive, with only minor revisions, until 1970. 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 carburettors, producing 266bhp at 5,750rpm, a gain of 26 horsepower over the standard unit. Almost all DB4 Vantages were built with the faired-in headlights of the DB4GT, including the car offered here. The DB4 Series V Vantage is one of the rarest and most desirable of the DB range with only some 55 cars built in this final incarnation of the DB4. Indeed, the original 'James Bond' car used in the filming of Goldfinger was a DB4 Series V, as they look virtually identical to the DB5 which at that time was not quite ready.
Left-hand drive chassis number '1215/L' was delivered new to the USA and first owned by Mr Norman C Stone of Atherton, California. According to Aston Service Dorset, this car has the highest numerical chassis number and would therefore be the last DB4 ever produced. The car was originally finished in Caribbean Pearl with dark blue Connolly leather interior, and left the Newport Pagnell factory equipped with chrome wheels; two wing fuel tanks; Normalair air conditioning; Sundym glass (screen, windows, and quarter lights); Britax safety belts; and a Motorola radio.
Around 1966 the Aston was owned by Templeton Motors Ltd on First Avenue, New York. Its subsequent owners are not known but by 1998 the car was at Lusso Service in Holland. Lusso Service commenced a 'ground upwards' restoration, which was completed by Red Willow Racing during 1999/2000. The car was restored and finished again in Caribbean Pearl with a blue leather interior. When it arrived in Holland the DB4 had already been fitted with a period electric sunroof; the air conditioning had been removed, and it was decided to keep the car in this specification. The rebuild was finished in December 2000 and the Aston sold to a new owner in Portugal, who did not use it very often as he was occupied with Historic racing. While in Portugal the car was always professionally serviced in Lisbon.
The current owner purchased the DB4 via dealer Michael Olu Brinkert in June 2007, since when it has been kept on static display as part of his extensive private collection. Recommissioning will be required before the car returns to the road. Offered with the 2007 sales invoice, this ultra-rare DB4 Series V Vantage represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of these most sought-after Aston Martin models.
Please note that this car is not offered with registration documents.
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Footnotes
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Série V Vantage Sports Saloon
Châssis n° DB4/1215/L
Moteur n° 370/1154/SS
• L'une des quelque seulement 55 DB4 Série V Vantage produites
• Semble être la dernière Aston Martin DB4 jamais construite
• Moteur et châssis à numéros concordants
• Restaurée professionnellement aux Pays-Bas vers 1998-2000
• A peu roulé depuis sa restauration
• Nécessite une remise en état
"La performance, le comportement et le confort s'allient dans l'Aston Martin DB4 pour faire d'elle une voiture extrêmement attrayante, avec laquelle on peut faire de longs trajets à vitesse élevée, avec un minimum de risques ou d'inconfort et avec un maximum de plaisir." - The Motor.
De proportions classiques, immédiatement identifiable dès son lancement en 1958, l'Aston Martin DB4 dessinée par Touring a instauré une ligne qui devait durer, à quelques évolutions mineures près, jusqu'en 1970. L'une de ses variantes les plus remarquables a été la Série IV lancée en septembre 1961, date à laquelle un moteur 'Special Series' (SS) ou 'Vantage' fut proposé en option. Ce 'SS' au taux de compression de 9,0, aux soupapes agrandies et aux trois carburateurs SU HD8 délivrait 270 ch à 5 750 tr/min, soit 26 ch de plus que le moteur de base. Presque toutes les DB4 Vantage, celle-ci comprise, étaient équipées des projecteurs carénés de la DB4GT. La DB4 Série V Vantage, cette dernière interprétation de la DB4 construite à seulement 55 exemplaires, est l'une des plus rares et des plus séduisantes de la gamme DB. La voiture de James Bond dans Goldfinger était d'ailleurs une DB4 Série V, à l'aspect quasiment identique à la DB5, qui n'était alors pas tout à fait prête.
Ce châssis 1215/L, à direction à gauche, a été livré neuf aux Etats-Unis et son premier propriétaire a été M. Norman C. Stone, d'Atherton, en Californie. Selon Aston Service Dorset, cette voiture porte le numéro de châssis le plus élevé et doit donc être la dernière DB4 construite. Elle était à l'origine de couleur Caribbean Pearl, avec un intérieur en cuir Connolly bleu foncé, et était sortie de l'usine de Newport Pagnell équipée de roues chromées, de deux réservoirs dans les ailes, d'un air conditionné Normalair, de vitres (pare-brise, vitres latérales et de custode) Sundym, de ceintures de sécurité Britax et d'un autoradio Motorola.
Vers 1966, elle était détenue par Templeton Motors Ltd de First Avenue, à New York. On ne connaît pas ses propriétaires suivants mais, vers 1998, elle se retrouva chez Lusso Service, en Hollande. Une restauration 'de la tête aux pieds' y fut entreprise et s'acheva en 1999/2000 chez Red Willow Racing. La voiture fut repeinte, toujours en Caribbean Pearl, et son intérieur resta fidèle au cuir bleu. A son arrivée en Hollande, la DB4 avait déjà reçu un toit ouvrant électrique d'époque et son installation d'air conditionné avait été déposée ; il fut décidé de la maintenir dans cet état. Sa reconstruction prit fin en décembre 2000, puis elle fut vendue au Portugal à un nouveau propriétaire qui ne l'utilisa pas très souvent car il était pris par des courses d'anciennes. Pendant son séjour au Portugal, elle a toujours bénéficié d'un entretien de niveau professionnel effectué à Lisbonne.
Le propriétaire actuel de cette DB4 l'a achetée en juin 2007 au négociant Michael Olu Brinkert et l'a depuis conservée au sec au sein de son importante collection privée. Une remise en état s'impose avant de lui faire reprendre la route. Proposée avec sa facture d'achat de 2007, cette rarissime DB4 Série V Vantage représente une opportunité exceptionnelle d'acquérir l'une de ces Aston Martin extrêmement recherchées.
Veuillez noter que cette voiture n'est munie d'aucun document d'immatriculation.
Veuillez noter que, si ce véhicule est vendu à un acheteur français privé ou à un particulier membre d'un pays de l'UE, le taux réduit de TVA d'importation de 5,5% sera appliqué au prix d'adjudication. La TVA d'importation vous sera facturée par notre courtier en douane qui vous facturera aussi des frais de dédouanement. Toutefois, si vous achetez en tant que marchand ou que société, les Finances Publiques vous factureront directement (sur la base du dédouanement effectué par notre courtier en douane) et la TVA française d'importation n'apparaîtra pas sur la facture que Bonhams vous délivrera. Veuillez noter que, si vous achetez en tant que société de l'UE, vous devez payer la TVA dans votre pays d'immatriculation, au taux en vigueur. Les taux pour importation dans les autres pays de l'UE peuvent varier, et il vous sera facturé des frais administratifs relatifs à la préparation des opérations de dédouanement. Pour toute question relative au dédouanement, veuillez contacter le département Motorcar de Bonhams ou les sociétés de transport que nous recommandons.
Saleroom notices
Please note we have been advised the engine installed is not the original but a 4.0-Litre engine from a DB5 stamped with the original engine number. However, we are pleased to inform interested parties that the original engine block may be available by separate negotiation. Please note we have not seen this over engine and are unable to verify it, please contact Richard Stafford or Philip Kantor at Bonhams for further information. Veuillez noter que nous avons été informés que le moteur installé n'est pas l'original, mais un moteur 4,0 litres provenant d'une DB5 estampillée avec le numéro de moteur d'origine. Cependant, nous sommes heureux d'informer les parties intéressées que le bloc moteur d'origine pourrait être disponible moyennant une négociation séparée. Veuillez noter que nous n'avons pas vu le moteur additionnel et ne sommes pas en mesure de le vérifier, veuillez contacter Richard Stafford ou Philip Kantor chez Bonhams pour plus d'informations.
Additional information
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| * | Import low rate |
| VAT on imported items at a reduced rate of 5.5% on the hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium if the item remains in EU. TVA sur les objets importés à un taux réduit de 5.5% sur le prix d'adjudication et un taux en vigueur sur la prime d'achat dans le cas où l'objet reste dans l'Union Européenne. |
