This Aston Martin DB4 got away, but there are more like it here.

1960 Aston Martin DB4 4.2

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Bid to $456,000 on 8/25/21

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This 1960 Aston Martin DB4 is a left-hand-drive Series II example that was ordered by its first owner in Oregon in 1959 and delivered in April 1960. Chassis 287/L was acquired by its second Oregon owner in 1972, and was later moved to Maryland after being purchased by a subsequent owner through a San Francisco dealer in 2000. Metal repairs and a repaint were carried out in the early 2000s along with a rebuild of its numbers-matching DOHC inline-six with a displacement increase to 4.2 liters. Additional equipment includes a four-speed manual transmission, red leather upholstery, black wire wheels, triple SU carburetors, servo-assisted disc brakes with Wilwood front calipers, an aftermarket oil cooler, and a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. This Series II DB4 is offered by the selling dealer with copies of its factory build sheet and correspondence with its first owner, service records dating back to 2002, refurbishment photos, a tool kit, an extra set of chrome wire wheels, and a clean California title.

The DB4 was unveiled at the 1958 London Motor Show with aluminum bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring wrapped around tube steel framework on a platform chassis in the Milan coachbuilder’s superleggera tradition. The model was produced in five series over as many years, with approximately 350 Series II examples built between January 1960 and April 1961. The second series introduced a front-hinged hood and opening rear quarter windows while carrying Lucas “cathedral” taillights over from the DB Mark III.

Originally finished in Snow Shadow Grey, this example wore a repaint in green prior to an early-2000s refurbishment that included metal repair on the body panels and chassis. Brightwork is said to have been replaced after the car changed hands in 2009. The side and quarter windows were replaced in 2016, and paintless dent removal was performed on each quarter panel and the left fender in 2017. The eggcrate grille was straightened in 2019.

Black-painted 16” wire wheels were added in 2016 and are secured by chrome two-eared knock-offs. Michelin Pilote X tires and new tubes were mounted on each corner at that time as well as on the trunk-mounted spare. Four chrome wire wheels with Vredestein Sprint Classic rubber are also included in the sale. The servo-assisted braking system has been updated with Wilwood calipers and rotors up front, while Hyd-Dra-Cyl versions are used at the rear.

Red leather trims the reclining front bucket seats as well as the rear bench and side panels, while black upholstery covers the dash, rear package shelf, and door caps. Additional features include red carpeting, red lap belts for the front occupants, polished sill thresholds, a fly-off handbrake, a heater, and a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. Interior freshening is said to have been carried out under previous ownership.

A wood-rimmed steering wheel frames Smiths instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer and a tachometer flanked by combination gauges conveying amperage, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 29k miles, approximately 100 of which have been added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.

The Tadek Marek-designed inline-six features an aluminum block and cylinder head, with the latter topped by dual overhead camshafts. The engine was sent to Motorman Engineering of Hertfordshire, England, in 2002 for a rebuild at a cost of £20k and included a displacement increase from 3.7 to 4.2 liters. The block was machined to accept 4.0-liter cylinder liners, which were in turn bored and honed for a further increase of 0.2 liters before installation of correspondingly sized forged alloy pistons. The cylinder head was overhauled with Tuftrided stainless steel valves, hardened seats, and performance camshafts. Triple SU carburetors replaced the two-carburetor factory setup. An electronic ignition system was also added, and the electrical system was converted to negative ground. The carburetors were adjusted in 2016, while the ignition system was refreshed in 2019.

Engine number 370/293 is shown stamped on the block above, and matches that listed on the factory build sheet. An aftermarket oil cooler has also been fitted.

The all-synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox was resealed in 2019. Underpinnings comprise coil-sprung independent wishbone front suspension with telescopic dampers as well as a solid rear axle with a Watts linkage, trailing arms, coil springs, and lever-arm shock absorbers.

The build sheet lists the original colors and component numbers as well as optional chrome wire wheels and a His Master’s Voice radio. Factory service entries in the gallery below note replacement of the rear axle assembly in June 1961.

The sale includes photos from the 2000s work and service from 2015 to 2019 as well as a dyno sheet from Motorman Engineering, an instruction book copy, and a Best of Class award from the 2018 Niello Concours at Serrano. A portion of the service invoices from the 2000s refurbishment can be viewed in the gallery and are said to total $41k.

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Auction Result

High Bid	USD $456,000 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended	August 25, 2021 at 11:18AM PT
Bids	44

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2,746 watchers

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