1958 Aston Martin DB4 Series I Project

3,670cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Dual SU Carburetors
240bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Disk Brakes

*One of only 73 left-hand drive DB4 Series I
*A very exciting DB4 project
*Same owner for close to 50 years
*Comes with copy of the Factory build sheet

THE ASTON MARTIN DB4

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

 At its launch in October 1958, the DB4 marked a major turning point for Aston Martin as it was the first car of the David Brown era which neither used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939 nor an engine designed at Lagonda under the auspices of W O Bentley.

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.'

First seen at Le Mans the previous year in the DBR2, the 3.7-liter, six-cylinder, double-overhead camshaft engine was the work of Tadek Marek, formerly with Austin, 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. The first had already undergone a number of improvements, including the fitting of heavy-duty bumpers after the first 50 cars, before the second series arrived in January 1960.

A front-hinged bonnet, bigger brake calipers, and an enlarged sump were the major changes made on the Series II, while the third series featured separate rear lights, two bonnet stays, and a host of improvements to the interior fittings. The fourth series was readily distinguishable by its new grille (with seven vertical bars), shallower bonnet intake, and recessed rear lights, while the final (fifth) series manufactured between September 1962 and June 1963 was built on a 3.5" longer wheelbase (allowing for increased leg room and a larger trunk) and gained 15" wheels, an electric radiator fan and the DB4GT-type instrument panel.

One of the most notable developments had arrived with the introduction of the 'Series IV' in September 1961, when a 'Special Series' (SS) or 'Vantage' engine became available as an option. The 'SS' incorporated a 9.0:1 compression ratio, larger valves, and triple SU HD8 carburetors.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a very enticing Series I DB4 rolling project. From the factory build sheet, we understand that the car was purchased by a certain Mr. Baugh of Birmingham, with the car being delivered on October 24th 1959 factory painted Peony with off-white Connolly interior. The original engine number of the car was 370/154.

Purchased directly in the UK by its late owner back in 1975, the car left Antwerp in the late summer of the same year, with 52,587 miles on the clock, to be delivered in Los Angeles on September 18th, 1975. At present it is unknown whether the unmatching engine was installed prior to the car being purchased and transported to this side of the pond, but a few visual details could indicate a replacement in period. Under the sunny sky of Los Angeles, the car was rather lightly used since the odometer now shows roughly 4,000 miles more than when it left the UK. From that point, a project of restoration was started.

Unfortunately, limited time and various elements had the owner focus on other matters and left the car in the condition it appears today. With paint and most of the interior removed, the car now shows as a DB4 in its rawest form, yet still having its engine, four wheels and chassis components intact.

Inspection today shows that the left rocker panel has been removed and the chassis clearly shows corrosion. The late owner had purchased an untouched, sound-looking chassis part replacement, with the intention of fitting it, which will be naturally included in the project.

Also accompanying the car are a couple of Aston Martin related books – as well as a Workshop Manual, Instruction Book and Aston Martin in America documents. A smaller notebook apparently shows work on the car done year-by-year between 1967 and 1973, the last entry having been made on January 8th of 1973, with a car showing 10,068 miles on the odometer.

In addition to the above, a few spare parts are also part of that exciting project – including, among other things, badges, gauges and various chrome pieces.

A blank canvas for restoration offered to the highest bidder.