Vehicle Description
Thank you for your interest in this very special and historically
significant DB4 SIII Saloon. This particular Aston Martin is
selling now, exclusively through the Spring Motoring Collection
Sale, hosted by Bring-a-Trailer.com. We encourage you to view the
listing:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1961-aston-martin-db4-2
1961 Aston Martin DB4 Coupe Series III
Chassis No. DB4/737/L
Engine No. 370/738 (Matching Numbers)
Body No. 737 (Matching Numbers)
Gearbox No. S432/4/740 (Matching Numbers)
Original Colors: Fiesta Red over White Gold Interior (Special Order
by King Khalifa in the Country Flag Colors)
Original Options: Overdrive, Motorola Radio with Power Aerial,
Chrome Wheels and 2 Marchal Foglamps
History
Sold new to King of Bahrain Sulman Al-Khalifa on July 25, 1961
Gifted by the King on December 31, 1963 to H.H. Arnold - Then
president of BAPCO (Bahrain Petroleum Company)
Owned by H.H. Arnold (Second Owner) from 1963-his passing in
1987.
Inherited by H.H. Arnold's daughter of Dallas, TX retained by the
Arnold family until 2020 (57 Years)
Owned by: DriverSource
Details
• 1 of 165 Series III DB4's Produced (Few LHD and Rarely Seen in
Red)
• Numbers-Matching Engine, Gearbox, Transmission and Body
• 8,059 Original Miles (see documentation in photo link)
• A Royal Gift to H.H. "Bud" Arnold in 1963; In the Same Family
Since (see attachment)
• Includes Original Owner's Manual, Toolkit, Jack in Bag and Spare
Chrome Wheel
• Includes British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate &
Build Sheet
• Includes History File with Important Documentation and Photos (2
Binders)
• Engine Compression 135-140 PSI Per Cylinder (all six)
• Excellent Body Fitment and Gaps
• Excellent Original Underside with original factory coating
intact.
• Older repaint in serviceable condition
• Includes Mileage log
This very special DB4 has rarely seen original features like the
curtain for the radiator (see video), original radio, largely
original interior, original padding under the aluminum fenders
wells. This is an honest original car with special history. Ordered
new by the Royal Family of Bahrain then gifted to the second owner
in 1963.
Body number "737" is found on hood hinges, door hinges, and fuel
filler cap, chalk markings on inner door panels. Engine starts and
runs flawlessly, no smoke and good compression. Exhaust has been
replaced with a stainless-steel correct type.
Engine Compression PSI/Cylinder:
1. 140 PSI
2. 135 PSI
3. 140 PSI
4. 135 PSI
5. 140 PSI
6. 135 PSI
Paint -original paint in the jambs and some panels, most has been
repainted in single stage, likely in the 70's or early 80's??? The
family thought it had all original paint, but I found some
repainted areas. Various other touched up small chips
(pictured).
Mechanical - Clutch, brake master and slave cylinder have just been
rebuilt in 2021. New whitewall tires like it had in period have
been mounted.
40 Hour detailing and steam cleaning performed in preparation for
this listing.
From Previous Owner:
Build Sheet Information
Make Aston Martin 1961
Color Red (Fiesta)
Trim White gold
Body style Saloon
Body Manu Newport Pagnell
Model DB4
Chassis # DB4 737 L
Carburetor Twin SU. HD. 8
Engine # 370 738
Rating 3670 cc.(224 cu. in.)
Starter Lucas
Gearbox S432/4/740
Speedo gears
Shocks Armstrong
Fog Lamps 2 Marchal
Cigar Lighter
Speedometer Smiths KPH
Plugs KLG
Radio Motorola 808 with powered aerial
Chrome road wheels
Bob's grandfather, H. H. Arnold, Jr, of Clarion, PA, (not the Army
general) was VP of Caltex (a joint operation of Texaco and Standard
Oil at the time), president of Bahrain Petroleum Company, and
chairman of the board of Amoseas Oil Company. He was also a car
collector (see the newspaper story in the PDF). Among his cars over
the years, he had a silver Mercedes Gull Wing (a 300 SL 1957), a
1954 Corvette (one of the first 100 made), and a 1963 Corvair.
The Aston Martin was a gift to my grandfather from King Kalifah bin
Sulman of Bahrain on December 31, 1963. The car still has the
Bahrain flag under the rear license plate, as well as the King's
seal applied to the windshield. In 1964, my grandfather brought the
car to the U.S. When my grandfather died in 1987, he passed the car
to my parents - and in February, 2020, my father passed away. My
father had a mechanic who took good care of the car while my father
was alive.
There were 165 Series 3 cars built; this one was built at Pickford
Works in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. A total of 1,112 DB4s
were built - ours was #637. It was purchased by the Khalifa family,
rulers of Bahrain on July 10, 1961, and was delivered immediately
to Bahrain. The 6 cylinder engine is rated at 240 b.h.p. and 5500
rpm. Maximum speed capability is 140 mph. The original tools were
in the trunk of the car - in fact, the spare is original (a Dunlop
Gold Seal tire). My father has kept all of the paperwork on the
car, including the original build sheet, owner's manual and even an
original sales brochure for the DB4. It has approximately 8,000
miles.
The above vehicle information is accurate to the best of our
knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. It is provided
'as-is', without warranties as to its accuracy, whether expressed
or implied, and is intended for informational purposes only.
Corrections or additional information is always appreciated.
All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any
finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and
shipping expenses. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. DriverSource
is not liable for any errors, omissions, or mistakes.
