Intended for the affluent connoisseur, the Aston Martin DB4 made its debut at the 1958 London Show. With its hand-crafted aluminum body and high-output six-cylinder engine, it was a logical development of its DB2 and DB MkIII predecessors.
Aston went to Carrozzeria Touring, the great Italian styling house, to interpret their thoughts for their new shape. Using their famous Superleggera - superlight - tubular structure, Touring created an aesthetic classic, light in appearance and construction alike.
Underneath was Aston Martin's rugged steel platform chassis, with its straightforward but race-proven and carefully regulated suspension systems front and rear. Production coachwork was handcrafted to traditionally high British standards in Aston Martin's own Tickford workshops. The DB4 could accommodate four in comfort or two in luxury in leather-trimmed reclining front seats. The essential high performance was provided by chief engineer Tadek Marke's new all light-alloy, seven-main-bearing, 3.7-litre double-overhead-camshaft powerplant. Its seemingly effortless 240 bhp propelled the car to over 140 mph.
Altogether some 1,100 DB4s were built in five series before they gave way to the DB5 in 1963. A fine example of a most charismatic British classic, this car is understood to have been totally restored, both mechanically and cosmetically, at a cost of over $79,000 to the owner. The work is documented by invoices and this DB4 is now described as being in concours condition.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 |
$57,900 was the hammer price, including commission, when this DB4 sold at the 22 May 1997 Christie’s Geneva auction.
Astons continue to be a difficult sale to a small market – buying a car, spending an additional $79,000 to refurbish it, then selling it for under $58,000 is not the SCM-recommended path to financial independence.
Further, the early DB4 models are hampered by their David Brown four-speed gearboxes (later models had ZF five-speeds), their open headlights, and their notoriously poor brakes.
Bottom feeders are still offering $25,000 for Astons that need restoration, then putting $50,000 into them to make them right. If restoration is your aim, this car would have been an excellent purchase.
However, it was no bargain when looking at the market at large, as Astons in similar condition are languishing in the English magazines with $75,000 asking prices for months on end. $50,000 is the right number for a good one. – ED.