1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Saloon

The Aston Martin DB4 was launched at the London Motor Show in 1958 and was the first of the very succesful DB4/5/6 line-up, featuring elegant coachwork designed by Touring of Milan, Italy. The handmade aluminum bodywork panels were mounted on a steel tube frame, using the Superleggera (meaning: super light) method of construction. All round disc brakes were fitted, made first by Dunlop and later on by Girling, and all DB4s were powered by a new six cylinder, all aluminium 3670cc engine, designed by Tadek Mereck and developing around 240bhp.

This particular DB4 boasts a history file documenting the entire life span of the car. From the 1960s to 2011, all 79,000 miles from new are verified with bills, photographs and receipts detailing expenditure from original factory upgrades in 1965 to a complete and extremely thorough bare-metal restoration completed in 2010.

First supplied in February 1962 to George Ellison Ltd of Birmingham, DB4/832/R was the personal transport of a Mr G.J.R Ellison. The car was returned to the factory for servicing and continuous maintenance by Mr Ellison, as detailed in the history file. The factory also retro fitted electric windows in the mid 1960s during one of its visits. In the late 1960s, the car changed hands for the first time and was first registered with the Aston Martin Owners' Club. This second owner was the custodian for a subsequent 18 years. In 1983 the third owner purchased DB4/832/R and it remained in his ownership for 15 years. A Cornish museum was the car's home for the following 18months. In 1999, the car became part the Turner family private collection of Aston Martins and it was during this ownership that a complete bare-metal restoration was commissioned.

Nearly every aspect and component of the car has either been restored, refurbished or where necessary renewed. Rather than entrust the entire restoration to one company or specialist, each company or individual was chosen to carry out tasks that were considered to be the finest in their particular field. Companies such as Bodylines, Wren Classics, London Chrome Company, Dan Force, Harbods, Speedograph Ritchfield, Graham Millard were all entrusted with various works. The result is what must be considered a quite stunning motor car with both tremendous attention to detail and a massive amount of character.

Finished by Bodylines in Silver Birch, the body was completely stripped and the chassis sandblasted. New parts included: boot floor, complete rear valance, door skins, inner and outer sills and inner wings in the engine bay. All original chrome work was retained and re-chromed by the London Chrome Company and every item of stainless steel was re-polished.

The original 3.7 litre engine remains with the car mated to its 4 speed gearbox and new clutch. A full engine check-over and cylinder head rebuild along with conversion for unleaded fuel was carried out. In addition, the carburettors, radiator and complete cooling system were either replaced with new parts or refurbished. A brand new wiring loom was also installed throughout the car, both suspension and braking components were totally overhauled and a new stainless steel exhaust system allows a crisp exhaust note to resonate.

Evidently, a significant number of man hours have ensured this DB4 will be on the road for many years to come. It is supplied with a black re-trimmed interior to original specification, tool kit and jack, current and past MoT test certificates, Swansea V5 and a complete history of ownership. With DB5 values continuing to soar, late Series DB4s such as 832/R are justifiably in ever-increasing demand.