1961 ASTON MARTIN DB4

French title
Chassis n° DB4/560/L
Engine n° 370/580

- Completely restored by Aston Martin Paris and RS Williams
- Sold new in France, 100% French history
- Exceptional provenance from Aston Martin Paris

Famous for their roadgoing qualities as well as their association with James Bond, Aston’s DB models combined a refined English interior, the charm of an original Italian design and a noble engine. Developed from W.O. Bentley’s six-cylinder Lagonda unit, the engine was completely re-designed for the DB4 by Tadek Marek:
he kept the twin overhead cams but with a block in aluminium rather than cast iron and an increased capacity of 3.7 litres. For the body, Aston Martin turned to the Carrozzeria Touring and adopted its ‘Superleggera’ method of construction, with aluminium panels supported by a lightweight tubular structure. Developing 240bhp, this superb car could top 225kph and met with rave reviews when it appeared in 1958. The DB4 served as the basis for the later DB5 and DB6, but also evolved itself, with various improvements and versions such as the DB4 GT, built for competition, derived from it.
The car we are presenting was delivered new on 22 March 1961 by the Garage Mirabeau to its first owner, P. B. from Nancy. At the time, it was finished in Dubonnet red, with chrome wheels, an oil cooler and yellow headlamps as options. As was then often the case, the build sheet indicated that the engine was changed at the factory on 28 November 1961, a few months after the car was built, probably because of a fault with the block. The factory re-stamped the original number on the new block.
The car was then regularly maintained by the Garage Mirabeau (the invoices are on file). In 1971, it was bought by its second owner in Paris, M.S., from whose wife Alain Aziza acquired it in 2013.
Auto Performance – Aston Martin Paris then embarked on a complete restoration of the DB4: the chassis was taken back to bare metal, the car completely stripped down and the body fully refurbished. The engine was sent to RS Williams in England, where it was entirely rebuilt and rebored to 4.2 litres, with a bill in 2014 for £27,000. Everything was restored, including the electrical system, the black leather interior and the carpets, with nothing left to chance: the result is stunning. Since then, the car has been stored in Auto Performance’s garage in Paris and used sparingly but with passion. It is an absolutely remarkable example, completely restored in 2014/2015 and boasting the best possible provenance, from Alain Aziza – Auto Performance/Aston Martin Paris.

Photo © Christian Martin

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1961-aston-martin-db4-4134-183