The Aston Martin DB4 was introduced at the 1958 London Motor Show to great acclaim. Its beautiful yet understated coachwork was by the famed styling house Touring of Milan. Touring utilized the Superleggera process in which aluminum panels were attached to a steel tube frame, the overall effect being that the body was light, yet rigid. The newly designed Tadek Marek DOHC 3.7-liter engine produced an impressive 240 bhp, which propelled the Aston from 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds. Most notable, the Series IV DB4s featured a wider ratio gearbox, twin-plate Borg & Beck clutch and a much improved suspension system, all of which further elevated the DB4 well beyond most of its touring contemporaries.
The Aston Martin shown here is a thoroughly sporting example of the most desirable model produced, known today as the Series IV. It has benefited from a recent repaint and consequently appears to be in very presentable condition. For those collectors who appreciate and understand the benefit of originality, this example will surely appear more than attractive, as the interior has never been tainted by restoration. The engine bay and motor appear to be in presentable condition as well. This DB4 is also understood to be with its desirable tool roll, spare tire and jack.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV |
| Years Produced: | 1958-63 |
| Number Produced: | 1,110, including 70 dropheads |
| Original List Price: | $10,500 |
| SCM Valuation: | $50,000-$75,000 |
| Tune Up Cost: | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Distributor Caps: | $45, available from the factory |
| Chassis Number Location: | Located on plate in engine compartment |
| Engine Number Location: | On top of block, front left-hand side |
| Club Info: | Aston Martin Owners Club, Attn: Susan Laskey, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10019 |
| Alternatives: | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, Jaguar E-type coupe, Maserati 3500, Lamborghini 400GT 2+2, Iso Grifo |
This DB4 was sold at the RM auction at Amelia Island, March 10, 2001, for $71,500 including buyer’s premium. This was a good deal. In fact, this was a really smart deal. And it came about despite a rather underwhelming description in the auction company’s catalog. So hang on here as I perform a rare task, criticizing an auction company for understating a car’s condition in a catalog.
I understand that auction companies are in the business of selling cars, and that their shorter catalog descriptions are turned out like cookies from a machine, full of phrases like “never tainted by restoration,” “remarkable example,” “presentable engine bay” and the like.
Further, in the fine print in every auction company is a “caveat emptor” phrase that goes something like, “no matter what we say in this catalog, we don’t really mean it.”
However, in the case of this specific car, the auction company left out so many of the strong points of the car that the “caveat emptor” could really have read, “buyer, pay close attention, you may be getting a real deal here.” This may eventually play out as a benefit to a qualified observer/buyer, as in the case of this DB4, which is much better than described. Here’s why.
This particular DB4 (and it was a 1962, not a 1964, as stated in RM’s catalog) was offered by the seller to my shop prior to this sale with accurate photographs and a verbal description of its three-owner Swiss history. A number of very important positive facts, which were presented to us, and that would be important to any buyer, were never mentioned in the catalog description. The major omissions included the following: undamaged/straight/correct/never-rusted chassis; fantastic body gaps; Swiss restoration and correct matching-number engine and chassis. (The engine number wasn’t even listed in the catalog.) DB4s are rarely found with original, non-repaired chassis, let alone great panel fit and their original motor.
The restoration, which was performed 36,000 km ago, and was done to such a high standard that it is still holding up nicely, is a testament to the shop that performed the work. But all the catalog had was a bowl of vanilla-pudding text declaring that “This Aston…blah blah blah…is the most desirable model produced.”
And in response to the catalog’s statement that the DB4 Series IV is the most desirable model produced, an informal survey of 15 Aston owners who were asked which DB4 is the most desirable would probably bring 15 different answers. It’s too subjective, and frankly a DB4GT Zagato, a DB4GT, a DB4C or a DB4 Vantage may all be “more desirable.” And ultimately, who cares? Are you buying an entry in the “DB4 Miss Universe Contest” or a car?
DB4s are the lightest and sportiest of the “DB” series of cars. They are relatively easy to maintain, if you purchase one in top condition and a great bunch of enthusiasts are active in the club.
Factory support for parts is fantastic and you won’t see another one coming at you in traffic. So what does all of this really mean?
At the end of the day, this car, which went to an SCM subscriber, was a relative steal. This may be because the buyer exercised due diligence, looked the car over, discovered its specific strengths and ignored the vague platitudes of the catalog. What this means is that if you are truly interested in a car, there is no substitute for examining it yourself, or having an expert take a look for you. Who knows, you might just find another diamond like this one.—Steve Serio