Period Factory Vantage Upgrade and Overdrive Gearbox
1961 Aston Martin DB4 'Series III' Vantage Specification Sports Saloon

3,670cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Triple SU Carburetors
266bhp at 5,750rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Disk Brakes

*Unique build specification
*Matching chassis, engine, and gearbox numbers
*Special Series engine upgrade by Aston Martin in 1964
*Overdrive gearbox from new
*Cosmetically restored in the 2000s
*Recently serviced
*From the collection of a California enthusiast


THE ASTON MARTIN DB4

"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-liter, 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 calipers 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.


THE CAR OFFERED

Completed in 1961, chassis number 'DB4/646/R' is an original right-hand drive 'Series III' saloon, built with the rare and desirable overdrive gearbox and subsequently converted by Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell to the later 'Special Series' engine specification (in 1964). The copy guarantee form on file records a truly unique original build specification, and a notable first owner, which we cover in more detail below.

'DB4/646/R' was delivered new on May 6, 1961 finished in Caribbean Pearl paintwork with Dark Blue Connolly leather interior. The vehicle was ordered by Oei Tjong Tjay, son (and one of 26 children!) of Chinese-Indonesian shipping tycoon Oei Tjong Ham. Founder of the Kwian Gwan shipping company, Tjay's father was known to be the wealthiest man in Asia at the turn of the 20th Century, which earned him the nickname of the "Man of 200 Million".

Oei Tjong Tjay specified this DB4 to his exacting requirements. The guarantee form lists extensive options including an engine oil cooler; Marchal front fog lamps; indicator side repeaters to both front wings; electric windows; chrome wheels; heated rear window; an oil temperature gauge; pockets to the front seat backs; yellow headlamp bulbs; a loudspeaker wired to the rear bulkhead; and the aforementioned overdrive gearbox. After research by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust, it has been confirmed that of the 165 Series Ill DB4s produced, only 11 were finished in Caribbean Pearl with Dark Blue leather. It would be fair to assume only a handful of these were built with the rare overdrive option such as '646/R'.

The DB4 was sold directly to the first owner by AML and registered in Amsterdam where the shipping company's headquarters was located. In February of 1964, at 19,182 miles and while still owned by Oie Tjong Tjay, '646/R' returned to Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell for an engine upgrade to the later triple-carburetor 'Special Series' engine known to have been first offered in 1962. This upgrade included a Vantage specification cylinder head. During this upgrade work at Newport Pagnell, the DB4 was instructed to be repainted in Fiesta Red.

After relocating to the USA, the Aston was sold in 1971 to its second owner, known to be a US Army Officer, then later acquired in 1979 within the USA by Mr Mark Strachan, who retained the car until 1990. The history file continues in May 1990 when '646/R', at that time still painted in Fiesta Red, was repatriated to the UK under the ownership of AMOC member Mr Hugh Clarke-Williams, who commissioned a cosmetic restoration back to the original Caribbean Pearl body color, plus a cylinder head rebuild and other works. Mr Clarke-Williams made a special effort to contact ICI, the original paint manufacturers, for their formulation of Caribbean Pearl, such was his attention to detail, while the re-trim in Parchment leather was entrusted to Connolly at their Wimbledon headquarters. Mr Clarke-Williams's illustrated history of the car and its restoration is on file (inspection recommended).

The history file shows that '646/R' was sold at auction to a classic car dealer in 2001 before being acquired by the penultimate owner in 2003. During the last nine years of his ownership, the Aston was enjoyed by the owner's family on European tours. Returned to Newport Pagnell once more in 2022, the DB4 was thoroughly assessed by Aston Martin's Heritage Workshop and it was noted that the engine number and gearbox number both match the guarantee form.

Joining the California collection of the current owner last year, the DB4 was thoroughly inspected and recommissioned with the in house collection manager overseeing the replacement of hoses and clamps, updated wiring to resolve lighting issues, fitment of a new battery, a fresh set of sparkplugs, and new fluids. The work was carried out in house, and as such no receipts were drawn up. On a recent drive through LA, the DB4 was found to fire up swiftly and provide a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience

Worthy of closer inspection, this unique DB4 Series Ill represents an exciting opportunity for the next custodian to enjoy on any number of tours and events, or simply bomb around their local roads.