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Collectors Corner - Aston Martin DB4


Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 Coupe

Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 Coupe

Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 Coupe

Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 Coupe

Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 Coupe s/n DB4/265/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 Coupe s/n DB4/265/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Coupe s/n DB4/725/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible by Touring s/n DB4C/1074/R

Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 Coupe

Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 Coupe

 

Aston Martin DB4

The DB4 was produced from 1958 until 1963 in 5 Series, in that period 1110 (including the 60 Lagondas) (1040) cars were built, of which only 70 were convertibles, only 2 of the convertibles were covered headlights and only one received a GT engine. The coachwork for the Coupe and the Convertible was by Touring of Milan in Italy.
A Vantage version was available and featured an upgraded engine with improved performance, instead of 220-240 bhp it delivered 266 bhp. 

The DB4 was launched in 1958 at the London Motor Show. 

The wheelbase
Series 1 - 4  - 4480 mm
Series 5 - 4570 mm

The engine
The 3.7 litre straight 6 Cyclinder engine producing 240 bhp at 5,500 rpm
The Vantage Version, featured 3 SU HD8 carburettors, a cyclinder head with bigger valves and a higher compression ratio and produced 266 bhp

The coachwork
The fastback body was styled by Touring in Milan, a superleggera style sub frame was used covered with gauge aluminium body panels. The Convertible was also styled by Touring.

Series 1
Production period ran from October 1958 - January 1960
Serial Numbers ranged from DB4/101/R to DB4/249/L
It could be identified by the bumpers without over-riders, a bonnet opening to the front and frameless side windows (only on the 1st 50)

The S1 cars expirenced an overheating problem (cured later) by adding an oil cooler and larger sump.

Series 2
Production period ran from January 1960 - April 1961
Serial Numbers ranged from DB4/251/L to DB4/600/R
350 S2's were built

Now the bonnet was front hinged, the rear quarter lights could be opened,
an oil cooler was an option, indicated by a scop under the front bumper 

DB4/315/R - leightweight (1026kg) sold May 2004 for PDS 67.500 

Series 3
Production period ran from January April 1961 - September 1961
Serial Numbers ranged from DB4/601/R to DB4/765/R

Modifications were separt rear lights on a polished plate 

Series 4
Production period ran from September 1961 - September 1962
Serial Numbers ranged from DB4/766/R -
260 S3's were built

Modifications were a different grill with 7 vertical bars, a lower air scoop on the bonnet, the oil cooler became an standard feature

At the London Motor Show 1961 AM launched the DB4 convertible carrying Touring Coachwork, Even the Convertible was introduced together with the DB4 series 4 fastback Coupe it appears the convertibles were all Series V cars. The dashboard of the convertibles were painted in car color. A PDS 2000 option for the convertibles was a hardtop.

Series 5
Production period ran from September 1962 - 1964
DB4/ ... - DB4/...
The body was lengthend by 9 cms, the diameter of the wheels was reduced from 16 inches to 15, the rear light cluster was changed ... the rear reflector was relocated on the bumper. Also the boot number plate light was enlarged. The front indicators were enlarged. Most of the series 5 cars received a special series engine called Vantage and covered headlights.


DB4/1035/R - carribean blue "848 HYL"
DB4/1085/R - Italian red "591 EYE"
DB4/1121/R - 1963 Vantage GT Series V - "OYM 680A" Goodwood green - 2001 auctioned for PDS 129,000


DB4 Vantage GT
The DB4 Vantage was available with the DB4 GT engine with twin plugs per cyclinder and with triple Weber 45 DCOE carburettors for an additional amount of PDS 350. The Vantage GT is a very rare car. Three series 3 DB4's, Five series 4 and six series 5 DB4 received a Vantage GT engine. Also a DB4 Vantage convertibel was fitted with a GT engine.