Lot 124: 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 Saloon

This mouth-watering DB4 ‘barn discovery’ comes with its original logbook recording that the car was first registered on 1st June 1961 to Cyril Williams (Motors) Ltd, of Wolverhampton. The second and third keepers acquired the vehicle on 24th May 1962 and 2nd June 1964 respectively, before the present (now deceased) owner acquired it on 29th June 1965. Chassis number ‘641’ retains it original 3.7-litre engine, ‘370/662’, and its original Dubonnet livery, while the interior is upholstered in magnolia leather. We are told that its late owner used the car up until 1974 (around the time of his daughter's wedding) and then laid it up in the family dairy. The affixed tax disc expired in 1975 so this claim has credence. As you can see from the illustrations an interesting security measure was implemented by removing the dairy’s doors and bricking up the doorway! It was a novel experience for Bonhams’ staff earlier this year when they encountered - for the very first time - a cocooned and untouched DB4. The car is need of a total restoration but the panel work of the body appears to be dent and scratch free – all in all a quite remarkable state of preservation. ‘DB4/641/R’ retains so much originality, even down to the radiator blind pulley mechanism by the bonnet release, a detail so often lost over time or disregarded during restorations. At the time of its rediscovery the car was stuck in gear. A team from Aston Martin Works Service (and a truck) were despatched to the residence to rendezvous with the builder (whose job it was to take down wall!) on 20th March this year. The car is now restored to mobility, though not yet under its own power. The odometer is reading ‘09188’ and there are three old MoTs on file: 1967-68, 1968-69 and 1969-70. The 1969-issued certificate states the mileage as ‘71,395’ but this is written in blue whereas the rest of the form is in black - and although similar, the handwriting may not be the same. The two previous MoTs are of an earlier style that does not have a section for mileage. With the odometer starting with a ‘0’ the mileage for the car is either ‘109,188’ (in which case it averaged 8,900 miles per year to 1969 and 7,500 per year from 1969 to 1974) or as little at ‘09,188’. It would appear probable that the actual mileage covered is ‘109,188’. We offer today perhaps the last ever and, crucially, original and untouched Aston Martin DB4 for restoration. As well as the original logbook, a continuation book, tool roll, jack and owner’s instruction book are offered with the car, but not a current MoT or Swansea V5 registration document. Application would have to be made to the DVLA to keep the number.