1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV in Monterey, California

Chassis No. DB4/790/L
Engine No. 370/777

The Aston Martin DB4, launched on 10 October 1958 at the Earls Court Motor Show, marked a turning point for the marque. It was the first Aston Martin to feature Carrozzeria Touring's Superleggera aluminum bodywork-sleek, lightweight panels draped over a tubular steel frame. It also marked the debut of the Tadek Marek-engineered 3.7-liter all-alloy twin-cam straight-six which produced 240 horsepower, allowing the DB4 to reach a lofty 140 mph top speed. The chassis, designed by Harold Beach, features a shorter wheelbase, wider track, and improved rigidity over the DB2. It used independent front suspension with coil springs and double wishbones, rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and standard wire wheels with knock-off hubs. An all-new four-speed transmission, designed by David Brown, complemented the upgraded drivetrain. Stylish, fast, and refined, the DB4 embodied Brown's vision of a "Gentleman's Express," combining performance and long-distance comfort. Today, it remains one of the most iconic and collectible Aston Martin road cars ever produced.

The build sheet for this Aston Martin shows that it was purchased new by Heinrich Nordhoff, the Managing Director of the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg. The Aston Martin Assured Provenance Certification shows that it was sold new through the Volkswagenwerk in Germany on 21 October 1961. The gleaming Desert White left-hand-drive Aston was optionally equipped with chrome plated wire wheels and Marchal fog lights. It is thought to have been used by the engineering department as a means to assess other manufacturers' cars, as well as Nordhoff's personal vehicle. During his tenure with the car, the factory build sheet notes it was sent back to Aston Martin to replace the shock absorbers, realign the door, and repair its overdrive transmission in May 1962 with just 3,987 kilometers-issues that might have arisen during high-speed testing! The car is believed to have remained in Germany until May 1993, when Swiss registration documents place it in Bern. It stayed with a single owner until March 2007, when it was sold to another Swiss enthusiast who continued its care with recognized marque specialists.

In Spring 2018, the car was brought to the United Kingdom where the team at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, England were tasked with restoring the significant DB4. Aston's factory specialists returned the aluminum Touring coachwork to its original as-delivered Desert White and the interior was reupholstered with fresh Black Connolly leather. At the same time, the engine was completely overhauled with new cylinder liners. Servicing of the suspension included replacing both front kingpins and rebuilding the rear axle along with other worn bushings as needed. The transmission was removed to install a new clutch, and electrical repairs restored overdrive functionality. Once finalized, restoration invoices totaled nearly £90,000.

After its time at Newport Pagnell, the car was displayed by Aston Martin at several events throughout Europe as a showcase of their restoration abilities. From there the car was brought to the United States via official Aston Martin dealership Miller Motorcars in 2019 where it was acquired by the current owner. Since entering the United States, the car has remained in excellent condition thanks in part to the care of its current owner, whose belief that regular exercise is the best preventative maintenance has resulted in the restored DB4 accumulating an impressive 3,000 kilometers since leaving Aston Martin Works.

Framed by its impressive early Volkswagen history and recent factory Aston Martin restoration, this Series IV DB4 offers a superb opportunity to experience firsthand why the Aston Martins of the 1960s define the grand touring ideal-offering sports car performance wrapped in the refined civility of an elegantly appointed luxury car.