RM Sotheby’s returns to London’s Marlborough House on November 4. Built in 1711—within a decade of Buckingham palace—the stately structure is a fitting venue for an auction held in conjunction with the historic London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The world’s longest-running motoring event, inaugurated in 1896 and admitting cars built before 1905, is a reminder of just how far the automobile has come since its early days.
One highlight of the sale will be a car made near the halfway point in the progression of the automobile so far. It’s a rare Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible, one of 40 examples built and the only one to have been fitted with the DB4 GT engine from the factory. The DB4 model charted the course of the marque, and was the first of a lineage of DBs that would come to embody the classic British grand tourer.
The 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible being offered through RM Sotheby’s.
Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
The DB4 was introduced in 1958, and featured an all-new chassis, engine, and body—the latter of which presents a distinctly Italian look. In fact, the shape was the handiwork of Milanese coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, and the styling had a fastback flair that really set the DB4 apart from any other British sports car. The model soldiered on until 1963, transitioning through five series, the last resembling its successor, the DB5 of James Bond fame. The DB4 Convertible was launched in 1961, of which 70 examples comprised the Series IV and Series V in total.
The most collectible of ‘60s-era Aston Martins is the DB4 GT, launched in 1959 with competition in mind. It was distinguished from regular models by its shorter wheelbase and highly tuned 3.7-liter inline-six engine. With three Weber carburetors, the GT engine made more than 300 hp. Equipped with such a power plant, this Series V Convertible was delivered on July 19, 1963, to Aston Martin of Brooklands, Weybridge. Its hard-to-beat color combination of Midnight Blue for the exterior and red Connolly leather inside is punctuated by a black soft-top roof and optional chrome wire wheels.
To bring the power plant back to the original factory specifications, a new Special Series engine block and GT cylinder head were created for the 3.7-liter inline-six mill.
Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
Its first owner was Mr. Goodwin of Hale, Cheshire, and while historical records are largely absent from 1963 to 1970, factory service notes indicate that, in February of 1967, the engine was replaced due to failure, and exchanged with a standard unit. With multiple subsequent owners throughout its peripatetic life, this DB4 Convertible traveled from the UK to America, returned to the UK, then finally back to America, by which time it was in need of total restoration.
To complement the Midnight Blue exterior, red is the color of choice inside, including the Connolly-leather upholstery.
Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
Chassis No. DB4C/1173/R was acquired by its current owner in 2014 and sent to Aston Martin Works for a no-expense-spared, concours restoration, which included the creation of a new “SS” (Special Series) engine block and GT cylinder head, No. 370/1076/SS. Many new body panels were hand-fabricated, and importantly, the original blue and red colorways were respected.
The concours-quality restoration included hand-fabricating a number of new body panels.
Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
During the course of the restoration, the car was displayed on the firm’s stand at the 2019 Rétromobile in Paris, with work completed in 2022. Accompanied by a copy of the build sheet, previous titles, and digital versions of period photographs, the car also has an Aston Martin restoration certificate and a leather-bound book detailing the entire process. The vehicle carries a high-end estimate of $1.95 million.
Click here for more photos of this 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible.
The 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible being offered through RM Sotheby’s on November 4.
Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.