1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Cabriolet
Coachwork by Touring Superleggera
Chassis no. DB4C/1069/L
Engine no. 370/943

'The Aston Martin DB4 was perhaps the finest compromise which the David Brown-owned company ever achieved between exceptionally high-quality, exceptionally high-performance, exceptionally lavish finishing and yet properly contained overall size and weight – a great British product, benefiting from the styling input of Touring of Milan...' – Motors, 1965.

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.

Manufactured between October 1958 and June 1963, the DB4 developed through no fewer than five series. However, it should be made clear that the cars were not thus designated by the factory, this nomenclature having been suggested subsequently by the Aston Martin Owners Club to aid identification as the model evolved. The first cars had already undergone a number of improvements, including the fitting of heavy-duty bumpers after the first 50 had been made, before the 2nd series arrived in January 1960. A front-hinged bonnet, bigger brake callipers and an enlarged sump were the major changes made on the Series II, while the 3rd series featured separate rear lights, two bonnet stays and a host of improvements to the interior fittings. The 4th series was readily distinguishable by its new grille, with seven vertical bars, shallower bonnet intake and recessed rear lights, while the final (5th) series manufactured between September 1962 and June 1963 was built on a 3½" longer wheelbase (allowing for increased leg room and a larger boot) and gained 15" wheels, an electric radiator fan and the DB4GT-type instrument panel. Including Vantage and convertible models, approximately 1,100 DB4s were produced between 1958 and 1963.

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.

Its accompanying copy guarantee form shows that this Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, 'DB4C/1069/L', was delivered in July 1962 via US agent J S Inskip and sold new to Robert S Salant of Long Island, New York, USA. The car left the Newport Pagnell factory finished in Dubonnet Rosso with fawn interior trim and was delivered with following items of non-standard equipment: overdrive, chrome wheels, driver's side wing mirror, block letter initials to the doors, and a 'GB' plate.

The Aston's second known owner was a Mr A P Moody of Chicago, Illinois, who kept the car from 1989 to 1999 when it was acquired by Mr Paul Faber of Luxembourg. When Mr Faber died, the car passed to his friend, the current vendor, who has not registered it in his name.

Beautifully finished in Dubonnet Rosso, a colour very popular with Aston Martin's customers, '1069/L' is a fully matching-numbers example: the chassis, engine, and gearbox are all original. The engine was upgraded to the more powerful Vantage specification early in the car's life, and that, coupled with the highly desirable overdrive gearbox and new modern power steering (by Aston Heritage), makes for a highly pleasurable driving experience. The car rolls on Borrani wire wheels and comes with an original and very rare factory hardtop.

Aston Martin specialists Noble House in the Netherlands have carried out a major service which included renewing all the brakes and fitting new tyres and a new fuel tank (invoice on file). All paperwork is up to date.

Combining Aston Martin's traditional virtues of style and performance with the joys of open-air motoring, the DB4 Cabriolet is most sought after and highly prized today. With the exception of the Zagato, the DB4 Cabriolet is the rarest Aston Martin road car of the David Brown era with a total of only 70 built, six less than the legendary DB4 GT, only 10 of which were left-hand drive like this gorgeous example.