Highlights

Desirable final edition of the DB4 with useful comfort and practicality improvements
One of only 55 Series V DB4's produced
Restoration by RS Williams in mid-2000s with extensive upgrades
Only 7,000 miles covered since completion
Repainted to high standard in California Sage over Caramel
Engine rebuilt to 4.7 litres by RS Williams, producing a confirmed 325bhp
Gearbox and overdrive rebuilt and fitted with new clutch by RSW
Power steering, aluminium radiator, better headlights and high output alternator
Current enthusiast collector-keeper since 2016
Serviced annually by marque specialists

The Appeal

Without the DB4, there would be no Bond-sidekick DB5. That is especially true of the DB4 Series V, a car that is virtually identical to the later car save for minor visual cues such as the single fuel filler, badging, and a slight difference in the roof-to-boot line. The earlier car is considerably rarer too, with just 55 ‘standard’ saloons built over 10 months up to June 1963.

Aston Martin tended to develop its cars in response to customer feedback, which explains the changes made to the Series V. These cars cleverly introduced more headroom by fitting smaller 15in wheels and were 9cm longer to accommodate proper rear seats and more luggage space. The extra length was disguised well, and as you can see in the photos of this car, it doesn’t interrupt the beautiful Touring fastback profile.

This beautiful California Sage over Caramel Series V is something special. Chassis number DB4/1034/R began life painted Fiesta Red with a black leather interior in February 1963. Factory-fitted options included the overdrive 4-spd gearbox, chrome wire wheels, heated rear screen, and a Motorola radio. It was dispatched from the factory as a demonstrator to J Blake and Son of Liverpool and fitted with the distinctive ‘OKA 1’ registration. This plate was regularly associated with its managing director, Jack Reece, a very capable Formula 3 racer and Monte Carlo rally driver. It spent time in the USA before returning to Britain in 1988.

In the mid-00s, the car returned to the factory theme of customer-initiated tweaks thanks to a comprehensive restoration by marque specialists RS Williams. This work included rebuilding the Tadek Marek straight-six engine to 4.7L and 325bhp, considerably more than even the 266bhp Vantage spec DB4s. The output is verified by a dyno readout shown in the photos. The gearbox and overdrive units were rebuilt, and the car was fitted with a new clutch. Sensible and sensitive upgrades included a power steering conversion, improved headlights, a high-output alternator, a heavy-duty battery, an aluminium radiator and improvements to the cooling system. Other clever alterations are indicative of the approach during restoration, including modifying the boot hinges to avoid the typical DB4 problem of the boot flying open when released. Similarly, the car features Dynamat floor insulation to reduce heat and noise. The car also received the fetching colour scheme you see in the photos.

Since completion, the car has covered only 7,000 miles. It remains in superb collector-quality order. The current keeper acquired it in 2016 and has used it sparingly. Despite the restrained mileage, we’re told that it has been serviced annually by marque specialists. It is only for sale, and very reluctantly, because the current keeper is moving to the USA.

Opportunities to acquire DB5s are rare, but the DB4 Series V is even rarer. Add in this car’s sympathetically improved specification and impressive condition, and it is a very compelling package.

History and Paperwork

First registered in February 1963
Originally a dealer demonstrator for J Blake and Son of Liverpook with reg OKA 1
Spent time in USA returning to UK and being re-registered here in October 1988
Only five registered keepers since returning to the UK
Vendor advises current collector keeper acquired car in 2016
Only for sale because current keeper is emigrating
Comprehensive restoration by RS Williams in mid-00s
Serviced annually by marque specialists
History folder present, including engine readout confirming 325bhp output
Originally finished in Fiesta Red with black interior
Restored into California Sage with Caramel interior by RS Williams
MOT records show car has covered around 7,000 miles since restoration
Chassis number DB4/1034/R
Registration plate YWM805
Always stored indoors by current keeper

The Condition

Nut-and-bolt restoration carried out by marque specialists RS Williams
Refinished in California Sage, replacing the original Fiesta Red
Caramel leather interior with green carpets
Green Sundym glass fitted to the front windscreen
15-inch chrome wire wheels as per Series V specification
Vendor describes the paintwork as being in very good order
Brightwork described as being mirror-fresh which photos support
The vendor states trim is supple and the carpets are well bound and laid
Rear boot lid hinges replaced to improve boot operation
Dynamat insulation fitted beneath the carpets to reduce heat and noise
Automatic aerial and modern stereo fitted
Upgraded headlights for improved night driving

Looking at the photos of this beautiful DB4 we have to concur with the decision to replace the rather vibrant Fiesta Red of the original with a more restraining and considerably more tasteful colour scheme. No doubt there was a temptation to repaint in Bond-adjacent silver, but we’re pleased that a current keeper went with the handsome California Sage metallic and Caramel leather scheme during the restoration.

It is hard to believe, looking at the car, that the work was done over 20 years ago. It is a sign of its quality, and of the car’s subsequent sparing use and careful storage, that it continues to present at a very high level. The interior looks barely used, and the brightwork, in the vendor’s words, is ‘mirror fresh.’

The car features some useful comfort improvements detailed above, including a modern stereo with an electric aerial.

The Mechanics

Fully rebuilt 4.7-litre straight six engine upgraded by RS Williams
Triple carburettor configuration
Confirmed output of 325bhp, supported by engine readout in the history folder
4spd manual gearbox with overdrive
Gearbox and overdrive unit rebuilt by RS Williams during restoration
New clutch fitted at the same time as engine and gearbox work
RS Williams power steering fitted
High output alternator and heavy duty battery fitted
Aluminium radiator with cooling upgrades applied by RS Williams
The vendor reports the car starts on the first turn of the key and barely requires choke when stored indoors
The vendor describes the car as very reliable, having never caused any problems

The ‘standard’ DB4, with 240bhp on tap, was quick and more than a match for Europe’s emerging high-speed autoroutes of the 1960s. This car, however, is in a different league, one well suited to modern motoring. Key to the RS Williams mid-00s makeover was a full engine rebuild and enlargement to 4.7L. The motor delivers 325bhp, as confirmed by a dyno readout, and is said by RSW to be the maximum possible from the current triple-carburettor configuration.

The car left the works with the optional overdrive manual gearbox, which it retains. Both units were fully rebuilt, along with the engine, and a new clutch fitted. Other alterations include a power steering kit, uprated alternator and battery and improvements to the cooling system detailed above.

The car has covered few miles since all that work and is said to start and run exceptionally well. Since the vendor acquired it in 2016, it has been serviced annually by marque specialists, irrespective of mileage.

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