Chassis Number: DB4/475/R
Engine Number: 370/467
UK Registration Number: 939 PPP
Date of first reg: 26th October 1960
Exterior colour: Green
Hood:
Interior colour: Beige Leather
Current Odometer reading: 18,694
Mileage Warranty:
Steering: Right
Transmission: Manual
Options:
To arrange a visit please email sales@allastonmartin.com or to discuss, call Tim Foster on 07771 847290 or Philip Jones on 01737 244567.
Introduction
Background
When the single pale primrose DB4 was launched at the Paris Salon in October 1958, Marcel Blondeau, the French distributor for Aston Martin approached John Wyer on the stand with tears in his eyes “This is not a car, it is a folly, but I can sell as many as you can supply.â€
With a top speed of 140 mph, it was one of the fastest four seaters in the world and was on a par with the best of Italian Grand Turismos. Not wholly surprising, given the decision to have this distillation of years of Feltham ideas designed by Touring of Milan using their “Superleggera†system. The body consisted entirely of aluminium mounted on a trellis of small diameter steel tubes welded together. Body panels were attached to the trellis and clinched around angle plates which were welded to the members with graphite pads. Items like windscreen, rear window frames an angle sections for the door hinges were attached directly to the frame. The design delivered slim proportions and outstanding all-round visibility. With the body mounted on a platform chassis, the seats could be set low without resorting to deep sills. The doors, which undercut the windscreen, were wide with frameless windows – no quarter lights – and the rear windows opened hingeing on their forward edges. Easier access to the rear with its new full width rear seat, past hinged and adjustable front seats from Reutter.
The wide parcel shelf concealed the presence of a 19-gallon petrol tank while at the back of the car, the boot lid opened to floor level. The battery, with its own master switch was behind a panel in the right-hand wing and the spare wheel was in a separate contained under the boot floor. Power came from the all new Tadek Marek twin overhead cam aluminium engine that weighed in 22Kg less than its predecessor. The twin cam shafts operated the valves directly through inverted steel tappets while those valves were splayed at an 80-degree angle – the seats all had inserts and the exhaust guides were all in direct contact with cooling water. The block followed the contour of the liners which combined to save weight and strengthen the structure. The crankshaft was a nitirided steel forging which ran in seven bronze bearings – the connecting rods were polished and weight graded while the pistons each had two compression rings, the top one being chrome faced. Driving through a four speed, all synchromesh gearbox and a 10-inch single, dry plate Borg and Beck clutch – the engine was quoted as developing 240 bhp, although this was, in truth, probably nearer 208 bhp. Marek had, at John Wyer’s suggestion, researched horsepower claims on American engines and had found a mean discrepancy of 32 per cent – John Wyer’s reaction was “We can’t lie that much, we can only lie 15 per centâ€.
Ride and handling came courtesy of Harold Beach designed coil and wishbone front suspension and a rear set up of trailing arm and coil spring incorporating a Watts linkage. The brakes were all wound discs from Dunlop with a Lockheed servo fitted. Wire wheels with Dunlop centre locks and 16-inch Avon Turbospeed tyres as standard fitment.
At launch, Aston Martin only had two pre-production models and with one used to promote the new car, they were reluctant to entrust the other, untried and untested model to the motoring press so definitive road tests were not available, just the enthusiastic hyperbole of John Wyer. His claim, made before launch, that the car could go from a standing start to 100 mph and back to standstill in 30 seconds was faithfully reproduced in advertising material. It was on October 2nd, the day of the car’s launch in Paris that tests at MIRA proved him correct with mean times set of the feat at 27.2 seconds.
Summary:
As the original iteration of the Superleggera design from Touring, the DB4 remains one of the best loved examples of this classic design. With a traceable ownership history and long-term family ownership, presented in a popular and classic colour combination, this is a great opportunity for any enthusiast to add one of the best to their collection
Aston Martin at its finest, do not delay!
Vehicle History
This lovely example of an Aston Martin DB4 was originally supplied by Aston Martin agent Brooklands to the first owner, T Howard of Iver in Bucks on 26th October 1960. In fact, a full record of this early history is found in the original log book that comes with the history folder.
Mr Howard later moved to Hamble but the car moved back up to Surrey in 1965 when it was sold to a Keith Fuller.
A keen AMOC member, Fuller participated in club events and was recorded as achieving a couple of creditable results with the car recording 5th in 1969 at Wiscombe and 6th at Curborough the same year.
Later in 1969 the car passed through the hands of a Maurice Perrin of Surrey who later sold the car in the early ‘70’s to a John Northcott of Sussex. In 1977, the car was acquired by the current owner’s Father and it was transferred to the current owner in 1987.
When the current owner took stewardship of the car, it had been unused for a number of years and a programme of gentle refurbishment took place with 2000 marking the major highlights which were: • An engine rebuild by Ian Moss of Portsmouth where the car was adapted for unleaded fuel and the capacity increased from 3.7 litres to 4.0 litre. • Bare metal repaint conducted by VRV Automobiles of Felpham • Bumpers replaced with stainless steel versions from RS Williams
The final elements of the refurbishment waited until 2011 when the interior was completely renewed and the car’s electrics rewired. The owner's commitment to this car is seen from his reaction to concerns about the car when considering to put it on sale. Local Aston Martin specialist, Bill Goodall of Newlands Motors, undertook some underbonnet refurbishment and addressed some typical rectification in the chassis/sill area - an investment by the owner of around £20,000!
The result is a DB4 that an enthusiast would want to own – over 40 years with the one family, refurbished with affection and proudly owned.
25.04.78 02,988
24.06.80 03,913
30.04.84 05,497
17.02.89 06,099
04.03.91 07.276
16.04.92 07,564
19.06.93 08,426
10.10.95 09,374
03.06.97 11,036
20.08.98 11,951
29.06.07 16,208
19.07.08 16,330
13.07.09 16,472
21.12.00 12,784
23.03.02 13,504
20.06.03 14,270
16.12.04 15,508
07.06.06 15,813
07.09.10 16,707
24.08.11 16,972
23.08.12 17,015
05.09.13 17,417
10.09.14 17,614
31.05.16 17,872
08.09.17 18,239
30.08.18 18,440
24.04.78- Mileage: 02,988- Service Agent: Watersfield Garage
Full service, check valve timing, adjust chains, check ignition timing and adjust, check dwell, grease all round, adjust handbrake, road test, MOT
24.06.80- Mileage: 03,913- Service Agent: Watersfield Garage
Clean corrosion and check connections on fuel pump, MOT
08.07.80- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Watersfield Garage
Recovery, fix electrical fault adjust wheel alignment, check tyres, adjust clutch, headlamp repair
30.04.84- Mileage: 05,497- Service Agent: Watersfield Garage
Oil change, check levels, fix corrosion on f/o/s side light, MOT
01.11.88- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Keith Shelfer
Collect Aston Martin
22.02.89- Mileage: 06,108- Service Agent: Trax Garage
Full service after full inspection. Free off brakes, fit brake pipes to front and rear calipers, fit new battery, strip dynamo, clean and fit new regulator box. Fit fan belt and fee off heater/air vents, rectify n/s headlamp, fit 2 new radiator hoses and refill with anti-freeze. Strip and clean fuel pump, replace n/s/r tyre, fit new servo hose. MOT
14.04.89- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Trax Garage
Collect car, check for non-running. Problem identified as fuel pick up. Repair pick up unit and replace pick up pipes
08.03.91- Mileage: 07,276- Service Agent: Trax Garage
Check vehicle for MOT, steam clean and check for oil leaks, drain gearbox oil and refill, lubricate clutch pedal linkage
22.03.91- Mileage: 07,291- Service Agent: Trax Garage
Check for non-start, strip float chambers and clean, remove dash pots and clean, free off and lubricate all linkages
09.04.92- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: CJH Tyre Supplies
2 x Avon tyres + balance
16.04.92- Mileage: 07,564- Service Agent: Trax Garage
Check for MOT, remove all wheels, make up and repair o/s/r jacking point, seal and underseal. Remove rear silencers, wrap and weld. Lubricate suspension, adjust handbrake, adjust headlights
23.04.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Service Dorset
Parts only: Surround rubber
18.10.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Copnor Bodyshop
Damage repair as estimate
17.03.94- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Flint Garage
Remove front wheels and strip down front hubs, remove discs and have skimmed. Stripped down and freed off front brake caliper pistons, reassembled with new pads and bled
09.06.94- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Flint Garage
Adjust handbrake and MOT
18.10.95- Mileage: 09,374- Service Agent: Flint Garage
Adjust headlamps and wheel bearings, change engine oil, top up all levels and fit radio. MOT
07.06.97- Mileage: 11,116- Service Agent: Flint Garage
Swapped spare with n/s/r tyre, rectify number plate light, remove gearbox and fit reconditioned clutch unit, new master and slave cylinders & flexi hose, bled system, cleaned vehicle, fitted battery and MOT
19.06.97- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Crockerhill Cars
2 x aluminium number plates
05.08.98- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Vintage Tyre Supplies
2 x Avon tyres
22.08.98- Mileage: 11,954- Service Agent: Flint Garage
Fit 2 new tyres, new exhaust system, change oil & filter and MOT
30.09.99- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: JK Services
Collect Aston Martin
14.08.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Carcoon Storage Systems
Indoor Carcoon
10.05.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Estimate: Remove bumpers, lights, mouldings etc, paint strip vehicle, repair bonnet and frame, make good engine bay. Cut out corrosion in 4 wings, sills, rear panel, lower doors, make up and weld in new metal. Remove slave cylinders and fittings, cut out o/s & n/s outriggers, sections of rusted chassis. Make new outriggers and sections as required and weld in, prepare and refurbish engine bat fittings. Prepare, etch and prime. Respray vehicle including engine bay, refurbish steering wheel
03.07.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Ian H Moss
To rebuild engine to 4 litre unleaded with hard seats. Modify oil relief valve area, balance con rods, flywheel and clutch
29.08.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams
Parts only: Stainless steel front and rear bumpers
07.11.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Paint work etc as per estimate
14.11.00- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: M Triggs
To supply and fit headlining and fit draught excluder
21.12.00- Mileage: 12,784- Service Agent: M & N Autos
MOT
25.06.03- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RKT Vehicle Services
Change oil, filter, points, rotor arm, condenser, distributor cap, front and rear brake hoses, replace brake fluid and bleed. Replace rear tyres, and rear dampers rack damper block and damper gaiters and axle strap. Renew number plate lamps, repair courtesy light switch, top up battery and screen wash and install battery vent pipe. Renew fuel filter flap seal, renew fuel hose bracket at rear, renew heater hose and clips at bulkhead, repair o/s indicator wiring. Road test & MOT
08.09.03- Mileage: 14,666- Service Agent: RKT Vehicle Services
Check fluid levels, check lights etc, check and adjust tyres pressures, check and adjust fan belt, renew dynamo lower mountings nylocs. Check suspension and steering adjust o/s/f wheel bearing, knock up wheel spinners
23.05.05- Mileage: 15,516- Service Agent: RKT Vehicle Services
Renew front brake discs, pads and refit caliper cylinders. Overhaul brake master cylinder. Clean rear brake discs, reface brake pads, renew outer cylinder on each rear caliper, renew brake fluid and bleed brakes. Remove starter motor for overhaul and refit, check all connections, exchange battery and check charging levels. Free/repair/adjust ventilation and heater controls. MOT
29.06.07- Mileage: 16,208- Service Agent: Bracklesham Garage
MOT, top up oil
29.04.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Remove & refit rear bumper, jack out and repair o/s/r wing and make good boot lid gaps, spray & blend
03.06.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Remove & refit front bumper, lights, grille and fittings. Jack out & repair o/s/f wing, front panel and bumper mountings. Spray
22.07.08- Mileage: 16,330- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
MOT & adjust handbrake
17.07.09- Mileage: 16,472- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
MOT, refit air pipe, repair flashers
10.09.10- Mileage: 16,707- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
MOT, check levels and pressures, adjust handbrake, replace rocker washers
24.08.11- Mileage: 16,972- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
MOT, check levels, replace heater pipe, check brakes, bleed and adjust. Note, play in o/s rear hub, handbrake pads needed, possible servo fault
30.08.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: David Strange
Upholstery materials for Aston Martin
03.10.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Twyford Motors
Shot blast all dash parts, prep and paint to correct colour, polish all parts
24.08.12- Mileage: 17,015- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Recover vehicle. Strip down brakes, clean front discs, clean and free calipers, fit new parts. Remove water hoses, clean corrosion and refit. Check levels and pressures MOT
20.06.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Recover vehicle, charge battery and check levels
06.09.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
MOT, fit bulbs, weld in panel on chassis
10.09.14- Mileage: 17,614- Service Agent: Ree-Car Garage
MOT
01.06.16- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Fit new fuel pump & spark plugs, replace diff front crankshaft oil seals, check levels and pressures, clean discs and caliper sliders and adjust handbrake. Repair flashers spray in section of front wing, machine polish vehicle
31.10.16- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Check brakes, remove brake servo master cylinder and reservoir. Specialist rebuild on servo and master, fit with new reservoir and bleed system, fit new boot handle. Remove door trims and adjust door frames to fit new door top rubbers.
28.04.17- Mileage: 18,201- Service Agent: VRV Automobiles
Supply and fit choke cable, check levels
05.09.17- Mileage: 18,239- Service Agent: Gravel Lane Garage Services
MOT
08.11.17- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Gravel Lane Garage Services
Recovery, replace condenser, rotor arm and spark plugs
16.12.19- Mileage: 18,694- Service Agent: Newlands Motors
Investigate for any damage from loose crank pulley. Replace pulley, washers, crank nut etc , remove and efit cam covers with new seals, adjust loose timing chain, replace water pump, road test
16.12.19- Mileage: 18,694- Service Agent: Newlands Motors
Engine bay preparation, remove carbs, manifolds. Clean off all under bonnet areas. Paint/refinish as necessary, strip and rebuild carbs, tidy & tape wiring. Fit front brake conversion, polish cap covers. Rub down & paint cam covers. Replace HT leads and plugs
16.12.19- Mileage: 18,694- Service Agent: Newlands Motors
Investigate corrosion in chassis, remove outer alloy sill bodywork, cut out corroded sills, sill section, repair outriggers/trailing arm mountings, weld in new sills/plates. Alloy weld bespoke sections, clean up plates and adjust to new bodywork. Take to paintshop for preparation and painting of new sections and polish to finish