Lot 588: 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Sports Saloon

Chassis number ‘743/R’ was supplied new via Brooklands Garage, Langley to its first owner, the Rt Hon E H B Portman, of Ramsbury, Wiltshire. When purchased by the current owner in 1981, the car had recorded 54,400 miles and been laid up for the immediately preceding three years. Its previous owner had painted the Aston in Battleship Grey with black wire wheels, which did little to enhance its appearance.
The car is offered today fresh from the completion of a total restoration undertaken by the vendor, who describes the process - which has taken some 30-or-so years to complete - as ‘a labour of love, joy and sometimes heartache.’ Only returned to the road earlier this year, the Aston has missed many a salted winter road, which explains why its chassis, floors and body have remained in near perfect condition.
At time of acquisition in 1981 the engine and transmission were out of the car, stripped down and stored in boxes. Marque specialists Four Ashes Garage undertook a full engine rebuild that included line-boring the block, replacing all crankshaft bearings, removal of cylinder liners and their replacement where necessary. All bottom-end work was carried out by engine specialists Gordon Smith Engineering, of Lye (including all component balancing).
The engine was reassembled with new timing chains, adjusters, slippers, tensioners, pistons and rings, while the cylinder head has been fitted with ‘4-litre’ valves and seats plus new springs and cam buckets. The carburettors have been overhauled and re-jetted to suit the larger valves. A larger-capacity engine sump and oil cooler have been fitted including all new pipe work, the radiator totally stripped and rebuilt, and a reconditioned water pump and all new hoses fitted.
The front and rear suspension assemblies were completely overhauled to include the replacement of all ball joints, gaiters and Metalastic bushes, after which all parts were refinished in original black enamel. All wheel bearings and oil seals were replaced. A complete overhaul of the braking system included replacement of pipes and flexible hoses, reconditioning the wheel cylinders and servo, and fitting new brake discs/pads all round and new handbrake cables. The original wire wheels have been totally stripped, refurbished and finished in two-pack silver with stainless steel spokes and triple-eared spinners. New Avon Turbo Speed tyres are fitted to all five wheels.
Upon purchasing the DB4, the body was totally stripped to a bare metal shell. Jon Aldridge Automotive carried out all remedial work, which included the addition of a front air intake for the oil cooler and ducts for extra brake cooling, followed by a bare metal re-spray. The interior has been carefully and sympathetically restored by Aldridge Trimming, who fitted new West of England cloth headlining but otherwise retained as much of the original material as possible. Interior door cappings have been finished in the Zircon Blue body colour, complementing the original fawn interior.
All brightwork has been re-plated, including the front bumper, which although showing signs of pitting has been retained for its originality. The chassis and floors are as near perfect as the rest of the car, being fully stone guarded and finished in Satin Black.
Now fully restored, ‘743/R’ retains its original body, engine, transmission and registration number, all of which is documented. We are advised that the Aston drives, handles and performs nearly as well as when it left the factory, and after 32 years of being off the road it now looks stunning. A photographic record of the restoration is supplied together with all receipts, and the car also comes with current MoT and Swansea V5.