THE PINNACLE OF THE DB4 PLATFORM - THE SERIES IV VANTAGE

With production spanning from September 1961 to December 1962, the Aston Martin DB4 Series IV boasted a number of small yet important differences over its predecessors. Namely, the rear lights were recessed into the bodywork, the bonnet scoop was lower, and a new front grille was introduced, featuring seven vertical bars, all features which carried into the DB5.

Another important introduction made alongside the Series IV updates was the Vantage-specification “Special Series” (or SS) engine. Topped with triple SU HD8 carburettors alongside special cylinder heads, a higher compression ratio (9:1) larger valves, and an oil cooler, power increased to 266 horsepower, representing a 10 per cent increase over the standard DB4. The Vantage SS also borrowed the instrumentation from the DB4 GT, identifiable by separate dials for each function, including oil temperature.

Continual updates in production only improved the breed, and towards the end of the DB4 production a final run of high specification cars, known as the Series IV Vantage Saloons, left the factory between March and December 1962. These Series IV Vantage SS cars are considered by many to be among the most desirable DB4s. Most of the series boasted covered headlamps borrowed from the DB4 GT, considered to be more attractive and more desirable than the earlier open headlamp cars.

The Vantage-specification DB4 SS would remain in production until the introduction of the DB5 in 1963, with 45 examples produced and only 31 cars built to RHD specification, including the car on offer here.

CHASSIS NO. DB4/977/R

Chassis number DB4/977/R was built in 1962 and left the factory finished in California Sage over a Terra Cotta interior. As per the car’s original build sheet, it left the factory outfitted to Vantage specifications, with a 3.77:1 rear-axle ratio, a Powr-Lok differential, a heated rear windscreen, and fitted with two Marchal headlamps. It was destined for its home market of the United Kingdom. The car’s original owner, listed as Spielman Enterprises of Bristol, took delivery on July 6, 1962, with the original logbook signed off by a J.V Spielman. The car was issued 256 PHW as its first registration number, and it retains that same registration number today. Spielman would own the car for five years and used it regularly. The service notes listed with the build sheet show he regularly serviced the car throughout his ownership, while accumulating over 14,000 miles in his first year of ownership and 40,000 miles by May of 1965.

In May of 1967, Spielman sold the car to G. Bacon of Bacon’s Transport (also of Bristol) who in turn sold the car to G. Elgin of Shute Shelve Garage in nearby Winscombe in November of 1968. It remained with him until May of 1971; at that point the car was sold to Stuart Eyles of Newent, Gloucestershire, who owned the car for less than a year.

The next owner would be Robert John Taylor of Chester who purchased the car in April of 1972. Correspondence and invoices from his ownership dating from 1972 remain in the history file, including a letter to the current owner stating the following:

“May I say that I am pleased that 256 PHW has been acquired by someone who is showing a real interest in her. I, and later my family, have spent many enjoyable hours touring the countryside in the car – and answering many questions, and requests for a ‘quick spin’ by members of the local Constabulary”.

Taylor retained ownership until January 1989. At this point, the car was acquired by John Victor Cigarini of London. Cigarini, a film producer who split his time between the U.K. and Los Angeles, purchased the car in need of a restoration and commissioned Goldsmith and Young, Aston Martin specialists based in Wiltshire.

THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF SINGLE ENTHUSIAST OWNERSHIP

Towards the end of the restoration with the DB4 still incomplete, it was purchased by the current enthusiast owner. An in depth read of the file illustrates that after joining the Aston Martin Owner’s Club in March of 1993, he completed the purchase of the car in May 1993. Restoration work was completed by December of 1993, with the car refinished in Aston Martin Almond Green (as it appears today) with a charcoal Connolly interior (as it presents today). It is important to note that the odometer was zeroed at the beginning of this restoration, and the mileage showing today is the mileage of the car since restoration.

Over the ensuing years, regular use and upkeep would continue, with the DB4 having accrued approximately 15,000 miles over the course of the past thirty-two years. Servicing and maintenance was usually carried out by Aston Martin Works, R.S. Williams, and Trinity Engineering, all well-known Aston Martin specialists, and an indexed summary written out by the current owner confirms the work carried out in his tenure as detailed in their respective invoices. These can be found in the car’s digital history file. Under the current owner’s instructions, displacement of the 3.7-litre ‘SS” engine was increased to 4.2-litres and fitted with Cosworth pistons to raise the compression ratio to 10:1 and electronic ignition, thus increasing power output over the already considerable ‘SS’ specification to a claimed 285 horsepower. Oil and cooling systems have been uprated and DB4/977/R is equipped with an uprated radiator and JMB water pump. The driveline is rounded out with an overdrive, an uprated clutch and a dynamically-balanced prop-shaft. Braking is via the original DB4 GT servo-assisted Girling disc brakes, enhanced by EBC brake pads.

As a testament to the car’s condition, it has been proudly shown at a number of Aston Martin Owners Club events over the past three decades, including appearing at the club’s display twice at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court in 2022 and 2017, Windsor Palace in 2016, and at the St. James Concours of Elegance in 2013. It has also appeared at club concours events at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor (2006), Mapledurham (2009), and Loseley Park (2022), and exercised on club track days at Goodwood, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Most recently, Aston Martin Works Service and Trinity Engineering in 2017-18 undertook a sympathetic body restoration with the DB4 again being refinished in Aston Martin Almond Green. During this process, close attention was paid to reshaping the front wings to factory correct standards, and the car received a new windshield, side and rear windows, and the window frames were rechromed. Since the completion of this work, the car was largely kept in static storage, with regular exercise off public roads to make sure it remained in working order. The last service was carried out in 2021 at Aston Engineering in Derby.

Chassis number DB4/977/R was recently collected and driven by RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist Will Smith. Following his drive, Will reported that; “This is without question one of the finest DB Aston Martins I’ve ever had the privilege to drive. The torque of the 4.2-litre engine is a huge benefit and the gearbox is silky smooth. The steering is precise and the shorter chassis gives great feedback on either motorway or challenging B-road.”

For many, these Series IV DB4 Vantages represent the pinnacle of the DB4 platform (with the exception of course of the DB4 GT which it so closely resembles!) as the Series V DB4s sported longer, taller, and heavier bodywork with smaller wheels, presaging the DB5. Well-kept and beautifully presented, this DB4 Vantage has been its owner’s prized possession for over thirty-two years. Benefitting from a known history from new with seven U.K. owners, and tremendously rare in RHD form with just 31 examples produced, it would revel in being enjoyed on the open road.