First owned by the late Sir Peter Hall CBE
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Convertible
Registration no. 3570 VC
Chassis no. DB4C/1078/R
Engine no. 370/968

Classically proportioned and instantly recognisable from the moment of its introduction in 1958, the Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4 established a look that would survive, with only minor revisions, until 1970. 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. 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'.

Designed by Tadek Marek and already proven in racing, the DB4's new twin-cam six-cylinder engine displaced 3,670cc while the gearbox was a new David Brown four-speed all-synchromesh unit. An immensely strong platform-type chassis, designed by Harold Beach, replaced the preceding DB2/4's multi-tubular spaceframe, the latter being considered incompatible with Touring's 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.

With the exception of the Zagato, the DB4 Convertible is the rarest Aston Martin road car of the David Brown era. Only 70 were built, six fewer than the DB4GT. This car (chassis '1078') has matching numbers and is perhaps the rarest of them all. It is offered with a factory hard top, triple-carburettor engine, and excellent provenance. It was delivered to Sir Peter Hall in 1962, owned by renowned Aston specialist (and Le Mans racer) Robin Hamilton in the 1970s, and has been in the vendor's family since 1983.

The Times described Sir Peter Hall as "the most important figure in British theatre for half a century". He founded the Royal Shakespeare Company, was the first director of the National Theatre, and was artistic director at Glyndebourne.

'1078' was delivered to him at the RSC in Stratford (as detailed on the accompanying guarantee form) on 6th September 1962, finished in Midnight Blue, with whitewall tyres and dark blue upholstery. The factory hard top arrived on the 26th November 1962.

On November 1963, when he'd had the car for a little over a year, Sir Peter sent the car back to the factory for the engine and transmission to be upgraded to a 3-carburettor setup plus overdrive.

Sir Peter kept the car until October 1969. During this time, he was married to Leslie Caron, who was twice nominated for an Oscar. There is a photograph of the two of them together in the car.

Sir Peter was sent a photograph of the car by the vendor's family in 1984, and replied: "It brings back many happy memories! It's good to know that it is still going strong. I loved driving it – it's a glorious car." This letter is included in the sale.

In the classic film from the 1960s, 'The Italian Job', an unfortunate DB4C is pushed over a precipice by some thoughtless mafiosi. That was the sister car to this one, chassis number '1077'.

After Sir Peter, the car's owners were Roger Giles of Essex, Robin Hamilton, Richard Dodwell of Clwyd, and then the current family from 1983. In 1978, Mr Dodwell sent the car back to Robin Hamilton for restoration. The body and paint were entrusted to RS Panels, while the chassis, mechanicals, hood and trim were looked after by Hamilton. There are bills on file totalling £5,000 at a time when the car was valued at £10,000.

The late owner purchased '1078' in 1983. It has had an easy life since then: little used, properly maintained and kept in a dry garage. In 1994, the engine was rebuilt by Ian Moss, ex-mechanic of the great Jim Clark and well known in the Aston community. Since then the car has covered around 5,000 miles and the engine still runs as sweetly as the day it was delivered at the RSC. The gearbox's overdrive works properly and makes long distance travel even more of a pleasure.

In 1995, the interior upholstery, hood and tonneau cover were redone by Carl Watson (a former Jaguar upholsterer). Connolly leather was used for the interior, mohair for the hood and tonneau, and the work was carried out to an exceptionally high standard.

As well as the factory hard top, '1078' is offered with a spare set of wire wheels, a spare windscreen and a workshop manual. The documents file includes the above-mentioned letter from Sir Peter Hall, bills from Robin Hamilton and a copy of the original guarantee form. The Motorola radio and the 'large pipe ashtray' are listed on the latter as original equipment. The Halda Speed Pilot, as seen in the photographs taken for the sale catalogue, is a later addition. This is a truly exceptional car.