Lot 301: 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Saloon

This ‘barn find’ is an example of the Series IV version of the legendary DB4, which was manufactured between September 1961 and October 1962. Chassis number ‘831/R’ was delivered new to Bradbury’s Garage in Birmingham and first registered ‘BOB 333’, the manufacturer’s guarantee being issued on 1st May 1962 as recorded on the accompanying copy build sheet. The only additional owners listed are H R Howard & Sons Ltd, of Ashton-under-Lyme (not dated) and Riley Birtwistle, of Calder Bridge, Cumbria from February 1974. The car’s colour scheme is recorded as Snow Shadow Grey with red Connolly leather interior.

‘JTE 550B’ was acquired circa 1975 by the current owner, who at the time was attending an AMOC prize-giving in the Midlands where he was presented with an award (for racing achievements) by boxer Joe Bugner. The DB4 was purchased on a whim and driven back to the vendor’s home near Oxted in Surrey.

In the early 1980s the car was driven into its current garage under its own power where it has remained ever since. On recent inspection, the engine bay appeared largely complete and to standard specification, while the interior likewise seems original and complete with all its correct fixtures and fittings. The body appears generally straight, with no damage apparent at time of inspection – albeit limited and a bit tight as you can see from the photographs! A total of 80,347 miles is displayed on the odometer. Offered in need of total restoration, the car comes with Swansea V5 (erroneously dating the car as 1964, but otherwise correct), old continuation log book stating correct date of registration as 8 May 1962, and an expired MoT from May 1974 showing a recorded mileage of 79,601 and confirming that less than 1,000 miles has been covered in the past 24 years and must surely represent a potentially most rewarding project for the dedicated Aston enthusiast. The last DB4 Barn Discovery we offered – here at Works Service in 2006 – was the now famous Series III that had been bricked up in the family dairy (lot 124). That car also carried an estimate of £15,000 – 20,000 and the price achieved on that memorable day rather surprised. There is no doubt these cars attract the imagination of the true collector.