1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon

• One of only some 55 built
• Only three private owners from new
• Present ownership since 1984
• Engine professionally rebuilt in 2020 (c.350 miles ago)
• Original interior

One of the most notable developments of the DB4 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.

Its accompanying copy guarantee form reveals that this Series V Vantage was delivered new on 21st March 1963 to Albion Flour Mills Limited of Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The car left the factory finished in Snow Shadow Grey with red Connolly interior trim and equipped with the Vantage specification engine; chrome wheels; heated rear screen; two Marchal fog lamps; wing aerial; and a wired rear speaker. Two further private owners are recorded: Leslie Ronald Mustill of London, from 1972, and our vendor, from 1984. The old-style continuation logbook lists one other owner, a dealer, during 1971. Factory service history is recorded up to March 1965 (at 23,000 miles) and it appears that the DB4 covered around 100,000 miles in its first 10 years (up to 1973), since when only some 17,000 miles have been covered.

The Aston was restored, including a respray, between 1984 and 1986, while in March 2020 the engine was rebuilt by marque specialists AES Aston Martin of Leiston, Suffolk. Various other works undertaken at this time included overhauling and upgrading the brakes and fitting a new clutch (see detailed invoice for £40,065 on file). The odometer was zeroed when the engine was rebuilt, since when only some 350 miles have been covered.

There are also bills on file accumulated during our vendor's ownership from local specialists and Aston Service Dorset, together with older bills for works dating back to the early 1970s including one from 1974 for chassis and suspension repairs carried out by Robin Hamilton (NRH Equipe), Staffordshire. The file also contains a DB4 & DB4 GT Instruction Book; a parts book; a workshop manual; a V5C Registration Certificate; some old MoTs and a fitted car cover.