Lot 330: 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series III, Ex-Don Pither

Britain's first real Gran Turismo worthy of the appellation, the Aston Martin DB4 made its debut at the 1958 London Motor Show. Successor to the DB MklII, it was the first production Aston Martin to use Tadek Marek's new twin-cam, all aluminium straight six engine and a lightweight aluminium body designed by Touring of Milan using its Superleggera method of construction. Beneath the DB4's sleek and beautifully proportioned lines the 3,670cc engine developed 240bhp at 5,500rpm, mated to a four-speed David Brown gearbox, while the new platform chassis featured independent coil spring/wishbone front suspension, a coil sprung live rear axle located by Watt linkage and parallel trailing arms, and all round disc brakes. Performance of 140mph, 0-60mph in around nine seconds and 0-100mph in 20 seconds ranked it amongst the fastest grand tourers available, and its Connolly leather and Wilton carpeted interior ensured it was one of the most luxurious. The DB4's somewhat hasty introduction resulted in various improvements during its almost five year production life. For the Series II of 1960 - already heavy duty bumpers and over-riders had been produced after the first 50 cars - the bonnet was hinged from the front rather than the rear, heavy duty calipers were fitted to the front brakes, engine oil sump capacity increased and there was now a radiator blind. Series III models of 1961 were quickly distinguishable by their separate rear lamps and minor detail improvements such as twin stays for the bonnet and an electric tachometer. Originally delivered to its first owner in London, complete with optional overdrive, this Series III DB4 subsequently spent several years during the early/mid-1980s in Vancouver and British Columbia. Its most recent owner was the late Don Pither, proprietor of Reliant Scimitar specialist Scimpart, author of the definitive 1987 book on the car, The Scimitar and its Forebears, historic rally driver in his ex-works Sunbeam Tiger, ADU 312B, in which he won the 1983 Coronation Rally, for 17 years the holder of the over 2,500cc class record at Prescott Hill in his Reliant Sabre, and co-founder of the Historic Rally Car Register with Philip Young and Robin Stretton. A regular and successful historic rally and hillclimb competitor, in the early 1960s Don had been co-organiser of the Targa Rusticana, then a round of the Motoring News Rally Championship, which he helped revive and organise in the 1990s as an event for historic cars. A well-known and popular figure in the world of historic motor sport before his untimely death in 2002, Don's wide interest in cars was reflected in his collection which included a 1950 Austin Atlantic and a road-going Lancia Stratos, as well his lovingly maintained DB4, ownership of which he regarded as the realisation of a boyhood dream. Although much of Don's collection was auctioned after his death, this fine Aston Martin has continued to be maintained and used by his family. A history file accompanies the car which includes copies of the original Factory build sheet and service records for work carried out up until April 1969, in addition to receipts for further work conducted by various well-known marque specialists and related correspondence since May 1986. Finished in Bordeaux Red with black leather interior, this handsome and much-loved motor car comes with a V5 registration document and a MoT test certificate valid until August next year. Offered in good condition, this is a highly desirable and useable Aston Martin.