Restored to its traditional mid-May date, the annual Bonhams all-Aston Martin Sale is upon us once again. Star entry is the much-publicised 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT, with later coachwork by Zagato, at £700.000 - 800.000, but it's just part a varied catalogue that includes many convertible cars, including this 1963 DB4 estimated at £130.000 - 150.000.
With the appearance of several ‘projects’, this could well be the last time to buy a DB six-cylinder car for restoration (full, or just back to running order depending on condition - and size of wallet of course). The 1961 DB4 'Barn Find' Series 3 (£15.000 - 20.000) has the distinction of being discovered bricked-up in a garage! Bonhams describe the car as ‘perhaps the last ever and, crucially, original and untouched Aston Martin DB4 for restoration’. Factor in a no-expense-spared figure and it’s going to be dear, but a tremendously satisfying experience and an opportunity for a new owner to really do it ‘their’ way.
There’s also a 1965 DB5 Restoration Project at £20.000 - 25.000, the higher price reflecting worldwide preference for the ‘5 over ‘4 rather than condition. Also on the DB5 front there are three other entries, the most interesting being the rare 1965 DB5 Vantage, perhaps not in the finest of fettle, but estimated at a reasonable £45.000 - 50.000 as a result. A car worth watching.
And if the traditional 2+2 bodywork is a bit ‘everyday’, why not bid on the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Sports at £70.000 - 90.000? It’s an original Aston Martin chassis that carries faux-DBR2 sports-racer bodywork.
 The garage walls are knocked out... |
 ...to reveal the 1961 DB4 'Barn Find' Series 3 |
Of the convertible DBs, the aforementioned DB4 looks nice in silver, and there’s also a green 1967 DB6 Vantage Volante, £120.000 - 140.000, and a red 1967 DB6 Volante at £110.000 - 120.000. Those at the 2006 sale will remember not only the price of the short-chassis DB6 Vantage Volante (£282,000 including buyer’s premium) but also the DB5 hardtop selling for £29.900! This year there’s a DB6 Volante hardtop for £5.000 - 10.000.
The 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT, restored by RS Williams and re-bodied by Zagato from 2001 - 2003 is estimated at £700.000 - 800.000. The fascinating story of the car is best left to its catalogue description, and the estimate? Spot-on in your author’s opinion - a ‘proper’ period-chassis DB4GT with superb restoration by one the marque’s worldwide leaders and genuine Zagato bodywork. Let’s see what it goes for.
 1952 Aston Martin DB2 3.0 Litre - £30.000 - 35.000 |
 1970 Aston Martin DBS V8 ex-Robin Hamilton, Le Mans 24 Hours 'Muncher' - £85.000 - 135.000 |
Finally, amongst four DB7s, there’s a very attractively-priced 2003 DB7 Zagato. At £85.000 - 95.000 the car is a little over half its original price, yet has only covered some 1,300 miles. Number ‘47’ out of 99, this might be the chance to buy one of the last bespoke special-bodied Astons.
 11988 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 4 ex-British Motor Show - £28.000 - 32.000 |
 1987 Aston Martin V8 Zagato 7.0 Litre - £60.000 - 70.000 |
Always more than just an auction, the Sale is not only a chance to buy into the history of the marque, but also an opportunity to see the latest cars from the Factory at the home of Works Service.
To see all Motor Car entries in the Classic Driver car database please CLICK HERE.
Please CLICK HERE to see the full lotlist.
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Bonhams Motor Cars Dept.
101 New Bond Street London W1S 1SR UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7468 5801 Fax: +44 (0)20 7468 5802 Email: [email protected] |
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams/Michael Baillie
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