Lot 125: 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series 2 Saloon

This quite exceptional DB4 Series 2 is reluctantly offered for sale following a four-year, no-expense-spared restoration by marque specialists Chris Shenton Engineering. ‘As clean underneath as on top’ is an oft-repeated cliché, but a close inspection of this superb car reveals that its use is amply justified. The birth of identical twin girls towards the end of the restoration has meant that the vendors now have an even more expensive hobby to contend with, and the heart wrenching decision has been taken to part with this wonderful Aston. Delivered new to the Steel Company of Wales Ltd in Port Talbot, Glamorgan on 25th November 1960, chassis number ‘DB4/493/R’ sported black bodywork with White Gold Connolly interior trim. Registered ‘434 JNY’, the car spent its early life in and around South Wales but little else is known about it until the 1990s. The vendors acquired the car in November 1999 from Geoff Forty, who had it on display at the Earls Court Motor Show. Painted Burgundy red with black leather interior, it had been hill-climbed by the last owner and reduced to a sorry state. The vendors contacted marque specialist Chris Shenton who had recently viewed the car and he confirmed that it was basically sound but that the engine had dropped a valve. A deal was struck; the car purchased and despatched to Shenton Engineering. There the cylinder head was removed, rebuilt with all new valves and converted to run on unleaded fuel. It was also confirmed that the engine ‘370/506’ was original, as was the four-speed gearbox ‘S432/3/465’. The car was driven regularly in England for the next 12-or-so months before the vendor relocated to Luxembourg, where it remained in daily use until the gearbox failed. ‘434 JNY’ was duly repatriated to the UK for a complete gearbox rebuild at Chris Shenton’s. As the bodywork had begun to show its age, the bold decision was taken to restore the car to concours condition and original specification. Four years later, after undergoing a full, ‘last nut and bolt’ restoration and with bills exceeding £140,000, ‘434 JNY’ is complete. The car comes with all restoration invoices recording the work carried out. Highlights include a full engine rebuild; ancillaries stripped and rebuilt; transmission overhauled; chassis completely stripped, repaired and painted in two-pack gloss black; all suspension stripped, rebuilt and powder coated; all brake/fuel lines renewed and polished; new wiring harness installed; and a stainless steel exhaust system fitted. The aluminium bodywork was stripped to bare metal and a new nose, valance and door skins fitted before repainting in California Sage Green. All body refurbishment and painting was carried out by Morland Classics, while re-plating of the brightwork was entrusted to Derby Plating. The interior has been completely stripped and re-trimmed, incorporating new sound proofing, headlining, door trims, tan leather upholstery and green Wilton carpeting. In addition, the dashboard was stripped and refurbished and the car re-glazed with green-tinted glass. Improvements to the original specification include a limited-slip differential; Turino 5½”x16” wire wheels with Borrani spinners; Harvey Bailey handling kit; Avon Turbo Steel tyres; and a Kenlowe electric fan. After completion the car was featured in Octane magazine (November 2005 issue) which described it as “simply exquisite” and “a car built for blasting along the autobahns or storming the Alps, en route from one five-star hotel to the next.” Offered with old-style logbook, current road fund licence/MoT and Swansea V5 document, ‘434 JNY’ has covered a mere 500 miles since completion and is presented ready to win a cupboard full of concours trophies for its fortunate next owner.