1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II

•One of only 351 produced of the desirable DB4 Series II•Superbly presented in original Aston Martin Jet Black.•Restoration completed in 2011/12 by marque specialists.•Matching-Numbers, original Right-Hand-Drive.•Recorded in the Register of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust.•BMI Heritage Certificate and copy of the original Build Sheet

The Aston Martin DB4, unveiled at the 1958 Paris Salon, was state-of-the-art for its time. A unique masterpiece of robust British engineering combined with exquisite Italian styling designed by Touring of Milan.The sleek body utilised Carrozzeria Touring's famed Superleggera (super light) structure, a skeleton of small-diameter steel tubing covered by hand-formed aluminium body panels and all round glazed vision. This design enabled the DB4 to achieve a lightweight elegance that was particularly handsome on the DB4s shorter 98-inch wheelbase before the later DB models became larger and heavier. It used the powerful new aluminium twin overhead camshaft 3.7 litre straight-six engine that had just been developed for the DBR2 setting a new sports car lap record at Silverstone.

Achieving 240bhp at 5500rpm as advertised, the DB4 with its all new lightweight body achieved speeds of 140mph. To world acclaim, the DB4 was officially tested "to accelerate from 0-100mph and decelerate from 100 mph to rest' - in an incredible time of just 26.2 seconds.

Testimony to the exclusiveness of the DB4 was its price when new - a staggering £3976, the cost of a substantial house in the Surrey stockbroker belt! Of all post-war Aston Martins, the gracefully sleek DB4 remains one of the most admired, and became the iconic blueprint for the DB5 and DB6.For sale today is chassis number DB4/294, presented to the highest standard and totally stunning in original Aston Martin Jet Black with light beige leather interior this is a matching numbers example of the one of the most desirable and beautifully styled of all Aston Martins. The powerful DB4/294 is an absolute delight to drive and is sold with UK V5C registration document and current MoT test certificate.DB4/294 was delivered new to Canada and supplied by distributor Budd & Dyer on 11th April 1960 to the first owner Mr. Wilson G McConnell of 80 Sunnyside Avenue, Montreal, Canada. The discerning new owner specified to Aston Martin that DB4/294 be supplied new with the addition of: chrome wire wheels, heated rear window, 319 Motorola radio, owners kit, set of fitted suitcases and Power Lok differential.Typed records on the build sheet held on the history file identify that Aston Martin's service engineers from the UK visited DB4/294 on at least two separate occasions in Canada to carry out road tests and service works in conjunction with the local distributor. The vehicle remained in Canada, until being shipped to England on 27th February 1989 when DB4/294 was first registered in the UK as AHP 692A by her new owner Mr William Erik Benson of Lees House, Radway, Warwick, CV35 0UN. Two years later, Mr C J A Colbeck of South West England, acquired DB4/294 on 24th January 1991 in "excellent condition throughout' as advertised in the classic cars section of the Sunday Times on 13th January 1991.For the following 20 years, Mr. Colbeck passionately maintained his ownership of DB4/294, remaining an enthusiastic member of the Aston Martin Owners Club and enjoying his much admired DB4 during the summer months. The history file which accompanies DB4/294 is a testament to the high standard of maintenance committed to ensure this car always achieved the best standard. On 22nd February 1996, Mr Colbeck requested with the DVLA a change of vehicle registration number from AHP 692A to LVS 228.During his ownership, Mr Colbeck successfully competed in several regularity rallies for the Club where the events were timed for accuracy not speed. DB4/294 competed in the following Aston Martin events which are recorded in the Aston Martin Registrar of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust:

• 1994: Claret and Classics 5 day Rally - finished 2nd overall.• 1998: Classic Tour of Ireland - finished Winner, 1st in class.• 2005: St Georges Day Windsor Parade before Her Majesty, The Queen.In January 1991, Mr Colbeck commissioned Aston Martin specialists, Desmond J Smail Limited of Olney, to carry out a mechanical restoration and partial bodywork overhaul of DB4/294. The scope of work included:• Comprehensive restoration of the engine,• Overhaul the suspension, • Overhaul the brakes, • Detailing the engine bay and • Full Waxoil treatment to protect the chassis

The above work is detailed in several invoices issued by Desmond J Smail between the 28th March 1991 to 5th August 1991.Our vendor, an established collector of Aston Martin's, acquired DB4/294 from Mr Colbeck on 12th September 2011 and in December of the same year commissioned Aston Martin specialists Alan Smith Motors to carry out a full cosmetic restoration and overhaul of DB4/294. The scope of work at this time included:• Refurbishment of the body work to ensure an excellent fit of all panels, doors, boot and bonnet. • Removal and partial overhaul of the engine; • Inspection and service of the clutch, brakes and suspension; • Full preparation and repaint whole car with all glass doors, boot & bonnet removed and carefully refitted; • Professionally polish and re-chrome all bright work.• Fit new chrome wire wheels and spinners. • Completely reupholster the vehicle interior and boot using the finest Bridge of Weir leather and Wilton carpets.

The glorious life of DB4/294 has been fully recorded in a fascinating and carefully detailed history file that includes: • Photographs• Title of ownership documents• UK registration documents• Ownership history• Copy of original Aston Martin build sheet• BMI Heritage certificate• Record of vehicle information held by AMOC• Details of restorations during 1991 and 2011/12• Maintenance and service invoices. • Multiple MoT certificates to verify mileage• Continuous road tax licenses• Record of achievements at major events and presentations

During Mr Colbeck's 20 years of ownership to 2011, DB4/294 was maintained by Aston Martin specialists Desmond J Smail Limited, Aston Martin Works Service, and Aston Service Dorset.

For the benefit of the history file, Mr Colbeck kindly confirmed:

• The mileage of 56,112 as stated when he purchased DB4/294 in June 1991 was believed to be correct.• The mileage of 30,873 covered during his 20 years of ownership was correct.• "To the best of my knowledge and enquiries the vehicle has not been involved in any accident requiring chassis or body repairs nor was any evident when a full under body rebuild was undertaken in 1991."Now offered for sale in exemplary order, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a matching-numbers and both mechanically and cosmetically flawless Aston Martin DB4 for a pinch of the price of its DB5 counterpart, but every inch the same Italian styling crafted with just the right amount of British grace and elegance...

Please see www.db4-294.co.uk for our page-turning brochure of DB4/294.