To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$400,000 - $450,000
- One of around 349 second series DB4s
- Classically styled DB4 with GT-level performance
- Accompanied by a huge history file, detailing significant
ongoing maintenance and preventative work
Of all the post-war Aston Martins, the gracefully sleek DB4 is most
admired for its robust British engineering combined with the
elegant Italian lines in perfect proportion.
The specification included a new, strong steel platform chassis
engineered by Harold Beech, who had recently taken over as Aston
Martin's chief engineer. In production form, this rigid frame
underpinned a sleek, virtually unadorned fastback body designed by
Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, utilizing their vaunted Superleggera
construction, which features a skeleton of small-diameter steel
tubing covered by hand-formed aluminium alloy body panels. The
coachwork was constructed by Aston Martin under license from
Touring. The new chassis featured independent front suspension and
a live rear axle well located by trailing arms and a Watt's
linkage. Four-wheel disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering were
specified for the first time; both items were advanced for their
day and offered conspicuously ahead of adoption by Ferrari.
The most exciting development, however, was the innovative alloy
twin-cam 3.7-liter straight-six engine created by Tadek Marek and
further developed for use in the DBR2. With twin SU carburetors, it
was rated at 240 brake horsepower and produced the prodigious
torque for which these DB series Astons have become famous.
Documents on file suggest this Aston Martin DB4 Series II was
ordered in 1960 by Sidney Rapoport of New York. These documents
show this car was manufactured in 1960 and was registered in 1961.
A copy of the original build sheet highlights a delivery
specification including Armstrong shocks, Smiths speedometer, and
Dunlop tyres. Additional non-standard options include a set of
fully chromed road wheels. In May 1961, with just 2,719 miles on
the odometer, the propeller shaft was modified. Then, in October
1961, a replacement clock was fitted, along with a new generator
and regulator. At this point, the mileage was 6,519 miles, so this
DB4 had been enjoyed early in its life by Mr Rapoport.
Mr Rapoport retained the car until 1987, when it was acquired by a
Mr John L MacDonald. Registration documents on file confirm Mr
MacDonald's acquisition of Chassis DB4/496/L on 20 August 1987. A
copy of the Aston Martin Owners Club, Section East, from 1987 lists
chassis number DB4/496/L under his ownership, with the mention that
that car was owned by Mr Rapoport in 1982.
The Aston Martin Owners Club register from 1987 also lists some
works carried out on the car, such as the addition of a sunroof in
1982 in order to improve ventilation. During 1982, under the
ownership of Mr Rapoport, the car was shown at the Lime Rock
Concours, where it secured second in class. Further work was
carried out in the late 1980s, when it underwent a re-spray by
Westchester Classic. Subsequent to this, in 1990, chassis DB4/496/L
was subject to more major work, with a complete restoration of its
interior. Then, in 1991, the car had further work including new
brakes and clutch. In addition to this work, Mr MacDonald undertook
a $16,000 exterior update with Automotive Restorations Inc. This
included a thorough overhaul of the exterior. Service invoices
suggest that Chassis DB4/496/L was owned by Mr Pearson of Weston,
Connecticut, in 2001. Today, the car presents in driver quality
condition and over the course of the last thirty years, and could
certainly be brought to a higher standard with further cosmetic can
mechanical work. Importantly, the car still retaining its original
engine, and with a huge file of original paperwork, including
receipts, and a copy of the original build sheet.
An ideal driver or an excellent basis for a restoration, this DB4
could be used and enjoyed as-is, or would be an excellent basis for
a restoration.
Please note that an import duty of 2.5% of the purchase price is
payable on this lot if the buyer is a resident of the United
States.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo20.