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DB4 Series 4 We have a delightful and original manual RHD DB4 for sale in California Sage. First registered in July 1961, it retains its original colour, with much of its original black leather trim. The car has been in the same family ownership for the last 35 years, and was modified in the late 1970s as a fast road historic rally car. It has a substantial competition history in many of the Aston Martin Owners Club competitive sprints and Aston Martin race competitions in mildly modified trim. FIA registered, the car also has a substantial history of being entered for many of the premier historic rallies in Italy, France and Switzerland. It comes with a substantial history file. The original engine has been rebuilt to 4.2 Vantage specifications with triple Webers, the rebuild being entrusted to well recognised Aston Martin specialists. Fitted with a standard 4 speed gearbox, it has been subsequently upgraded with an overdrive and with a raised final drive ratio, that makes for relaxed high speed Continental cruising. It has also acquired a full flow oil cooler. Deviations from the standard DB4 series 3 / 4 specification include the omission of front and rear bumpers, front seat and driver rally seats with 4 point racing harness and FIA mandated safety equipment, including emergency fuel and ignition cut off switches. The original front seats and associated trim have been retained. The front and rear bumpers have been carefully restored, rechromed and stored and will supplied with the car along with its original seats. Rear quarter light windows are in Perspex. The front and rear suspension has also been mildly modified, lowered and stiffened, in order to improve general handling, and the brakes upgraded with Girling brake calipers and discs. Other minor mods include new stainless 15 inch wire wheels, dual Facet fuel pumps, telescopic rear suspension dampers and Aeroquip brake hoses, aluminium radiator with Kenlowe fan and an alternator in place of the standard DC generator. --------------------------------------------------- Model history Announced at the Paris Motor Show in October, 1958, the DB4 ushered in a radical departure for Aston Martin in its determination to be a force in the production of true world beating manufacturers of GT cars of the very highest performance. The DB4 required a totally new platform chassis that was designed by Harold Beach, the chief chassis engineer, and was given radical new body styling by Touring of Milan. A new form of body construction used the Superleggara principle of a light tubular structure that was then clothed in an aluminium body shell. Patented by Touring, it was a form of construction that was followed in principle all the way to the Virage of the early 1990s. A totally new all aluminium, twin overhead cam straight 6 cylinder engine, running in an extremely generous 7 bearing crankcase, endowed the DB4 with a step change in performance and a useful saving of weight from the previous cast iron engines used in the DB2. There was no other car in production that could better its time of 0 to 100 mph of 20 secs and few the equal of its top speed of 140 mph, when the DB4 was announced in 1958. The DB4 included many lessons that Aston Martin had learnt from its racing heritage, influencing suspension and engine design, braking and aerodynamics. The one major disappointment was the use of a conventional rear axle, all be it very well located, in preference to the use of a De Dion independent rear suspension because of cost, technical and production risk. The DB4 is still one of the most beautiful and iconic cars of all time. Instantly recognised as an Aston Martin, the classical and perfect proportions of the early series DB4s has never been bettered. It is a style that looks right from every angle and it is not without reason that it has set the tone for every subsequent Aston Martin to this day. On its debut in October 1958, the DB4 was hardly fully developed, nor was Aston Martin ready to start series production and it was not until later in 1959 that series manufacture started in earnest. The DB4 evolved over 5 distinct series, each bringing useful improvements, as lessons learnt became known from owners’ service experience. By the time the fifth and final series started in production in l962, the DB4 had evolved into a very reliable, comfortable and rapid Grand Tourer of the highest performance. Series 1 cars – Distinguished by a front opening bonnet and frameless door windows. When built, they lacked any oil cooler and the size of the sump and with a restricted engine oil capacity, this led to many early engines succumbing to severe bearing damage when subjected to sustained high engine speeds However, it remains the purest and best proportioned version of all the DB4 variants built. Series 2 cars – Carried over the rear body design and proportions of the Series 1, but came with rear opening bonnet, significant engine modifications (which many of the Series 1 cars were later retrofitted with), uprated brakes and framed door windows. Customer options included special series engine, overdrive and an oil cooler. Series 3 cars – Essentially similar in specification to the Series 2 DB4, but with many minor detail improvements to the engine and chassis The rear light clusters were recessed and given a chromed backing plate. Series 4 cars –Modified from the Series 3 cars in that the line of the roof was extended to the rear, giving slightly improved rear seat headroom, and with the overhang behind the rear wheels being extended by around 2 inches, giving an enlarged boot. In all other respects the specification remains essentially as for the Series 3. ----------------------------------------- This is a well prepared historic rally car with a substantial Club competition, FIA rally and history file. In very tidy and sound mechanical and structural condition, it can be driven as it is and would make an ideal car for those who wish to use it for FIA type rallies and Continental tours. Offered as is, it can be readily reverted to standard trim should that be desired. A LHD conversion could also be easily undertaken. There is a complete and very good health check report available to the new owner, to give added peace of mind. It will be sold with the benefit of a full service and MoT. .A car to savour, it is highly recommended and early inspection is essential.