Beschreibung
LOT 252
Property of a Titled Gentleman
1963 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Special Series 4. 5-Litre Sports Saloon
GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
14 July 2023, 14:00 BST
Chichester, Goodwood
£250, 000 - £300, 000
Registration no. 475 DUG
Chassis no. DB4/ 1016/ R
Engine no. 370/ 1065/ SS
• Known ownership history
• Restored during previous ownership
• Further restoration and numerous upgrades by R S Williams
• Present ownership since 2004
'The Aston Martin DB4 was perhaps the finest compromise which the David Brown-owned company ever achieved between exceptionally high-quality, exceptionally high-performance, exceptionally lavish finishing and yet properly contained overall size and weight – a great British product, benefiting from the styling input of Touring of Milan...' – Motors, 1965.
Built in 1962 and first registered on 1st January 1963, this car is the only DB4 to have been fitted with an automatic gearbox from new. The accompanying copy guarantee form lists the Special Series engine and Borg Warner transmission under 'Particulars of Non-Standard Equipment', although the original three-speed Borg Warner transmission has since been replaced with a modern four-speed unit (the original 'box is included in the sale). Models equipped with the Special Series engine would later adopt the 'Vantage' name. The first owner is listed as Slater & Co (Limestone) Ltd of Pickering and the original colour scheme as Dubonnet with White Gold Connolly leather interior trim. Two further owners are listed: Ralph Bolton Ltd of Cardiff and Neil Lunt Esq of West Yorkshire.
When, in 1986, Neil Lunt had noticed a dilapidated DB4 in a back corner of the local repair garage, serving as the guard dog's bed, he recognised it as the same car he had spotted and lusted after outside a local supplier of office equipment 23 years previously. The owner was tracked down and a deal struck. Its sorry state notwithstanding, the Aston had covered only 48, 000 miles from new, as evidenced by an engine that showed very little wear. Neil's ten-year restoration of the car was documented in Practical Classics magazine's December 1999 edition (copy on file).
'475 DUG' was registered to its next owner, the current vendor, on 1st November 2004, since when the car has undergone further restoration work at the hands of renowned Aston Martin specialist Richard Williams. Works carried out included replacing the gearbox and uprating the engine to 4. 5 litres Vantage specification (dynamometer tested at 310hp), including an unleaded-compatible cylinder head. The suspension, brakes, cooling system and electrics have all been discretely upgraded to modern specifications to enable the car to be used safely in contemporary road conditions. There is also a cleverly concealed sound system with CD autochanger. Finished in Black Pearl with Magnolia hide interior, this beautifully restored and extensively upgraded DB4 is offered with sundry restoration invoices and a V5C Registration Certificate.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol ( †, ?, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40, 000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40, 001 up to and including £800, 000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800, 001 up to and including £4, 500, 000 and 14. 5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4, 500, 001. (subject to VAT)
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500, 000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
