A trio of original, low-mileage Aston Martin DB4 models will be a central feature at the 2016 RM Sotheby’s London auction, scheduled for 7 September at Battersea Evolution in London. Led by an original DB4GT, RM will also offer a late-production DB4 Series V Convertible and a three-owner-from-new DB4 Series II Coupe.
Paving the way for the ‘gentleman racer’ in the late 1950s was an all-new era of British sports car by Aston Martin, the DB4GT.Made in limited numbers from 1959 to 1963, the competition-variant of the DB4 was introduced in September 1959 at the London Motor Show, based on the race-winning prototype, DP199/1. Developed for increased performance, the Newport Pagnell factory made the car slightly shorter, lighter and more powerful than the production DB4.
Chassis DB4GT/0126/R is a RHD car manufactured in 1960, and is one of 75 factory-built Aston Martin pure-breds, presented in original condition and benefiting from the matching-numbers status. Headlining the September sale, the featured 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT is one of three GTs known to have been fitted with rear seats, and one of 45 right-hand-drive cars (Estimate: £2,200,000 – £2,500,000).
Lining up alongside the DB4GT is an even rarer 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible. One of 70 examples built, this DB4 Convertible, chassis number DB4C/1102/R, is a late-production Series V version, finished in Platinum over Red leather, and benefits from the ‘overdrive’ gearbox. DB4C/1102/R has decades of known history and has been restored and preserved to concours condition. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £950,000 – £1,100,000.
The ‘trifecta’ of DB4s slated for the 2016 RM Sotheby’s London sale is completed by a 1960 DB4 Series II Coupe, which heads to the Battersea having had three owners from new and accompanied by a comprehensive history file, including original UK logbook, correct jack, hammer and tool roll. The example on offer, chassis DB4/490/L, is presented in an original specification, with optional oil cooler and chromed wire wheels still present from the original factory build. It’s one of 125 left-hand-drive specification cars with its original matching numbers engine and a four-speed manual gearbox. Finished in its factory colours of Goodwood Green with Red Connolly leather interior, it’s estimated to sell between £480,000 and £520,000.
Peter Wallman, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s Europe, said, “The Aston Martin DB4 paved the way for the iconic silhouette of the classic post-war Aston Martins that we know and love today. The trio of DB4s we have gathered for our London sale are all exemplary examples and will no doubt attract the attention of serious Aston Martin collectors. Of course, RM sold the most expensive DB4, and currently the most expensive British car to ever be sold at auction, the DB4GT Zagato, at its 2015 New York Driven by Disruption sale for $14.3 million, so our relationship with the iconic marque is well established.”
In total, RM’s London sale will showcase more than 60 years of Aston Martin production. Among other Aston Martins set for the company’s Battersea auction podium are:
- 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante; the second car built and a former factory demonstrator, this car is one of eight right-hand-drive examples made with a manual transmission (Est. £110,000 – £130,000);
- 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato; number 26 of 61 road-going examples, this Aston has been in single ownership and has traveled 4,200km from new. It comes to auction in Alba Blue paintwork — one of the five V12 Vantage Zagato colours (Est. £525,000 – £600,000); and,
- 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage, freshly restored and boasting known ownership from new and accompanied by an impressive history file (Est. £185,000 – £215,000).
RM Sotheby’s London sale will celebrate a decade in the British capital next month. Held in partnership with the Concours of Elegance, which this year returns to the Windsor Castle, the week of events is set to draw thousands of enthusiasts. The auction, held at the Battersea Evolution in central London, will be held the evening of 7 September as 70 automobiles cross the podium.
For further information or view a frequently updated list of entries, visit www.rmsothebys.com.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s]
