1961 Aston Martin DB4

This 1961 Aston Martin DB4 is one of approximately 165 Series III examples built during a single year of production and shipped on July 13, 1961, to Plimley Motors in Vancouver, British Columbia, who sold it to its first owner the following April. Chassis 665/L passed through a series of British Columbia owners including a steward of 20 years who oversaw a mechanical refurbishment between the late 1960s and early 1980s. The car was later purchased in 2008 by the current owner, who commissioned a refurbishment that included a repaint in dark blue metallic and an overhaul of the DOHC inline-six to a displacement of 4.0 liters with the addition of Vantage-specification valvetrain components and a Vantage-style intake setup with triple Weber carburetors. Additional features include a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes, chromed 16” wire wheels, red leather upholstery, and a Motorola radio. This left-hand-drive DB4 is now offered on dealer consignment at no reserve with copies of its factory build sheet, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, invoices dating back to the 1970s, a tool kit, and British Columbia registration. The DB4 was unveiled at the 1958 London Motor Show with aluminum bodywork by Carrozzeria Touring wrapped around tube steel framework on a platform chassis in the Milan coachbuilder’s Superleggera tradition. The model was produced in five series over as many years, with the Series III featuring updates including triple taillights amid chrome plates while retaining the mesh grille and high-profile hood scoop of the previous two series. Originally finished in Black Pearl, this example received a repaint in the later Aston Martin shade of Tourmaline Blue Metallic during the refurbishment that was completed by Coachwerks and Rudi & Company in British Columbia in 2011. Features include bumper guards at the front and rear, a front-hinged hood with dual stays, a fender-mounted antenna, and dual exhaust outlets. Bright wire wheels were replated during the refurbishment and are secured by three-eared knock-offs, while 185HR16 Vredestein Sprint Classic tires are mounted at each corner. Stopping is handled by servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes all around. The left-hand-drive cabin was re-trimmed in red leather during the refurbishment, which is said to have included refreshes of the seat frames, springs, and foam. Features include dark gray carpeting bound in red leather, roll-up windows, red front lap belts, a lockable glovebox, and a Motorola radio. The wood-rimmed steering wheel frames Smiths instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer and a tachometer flanked by combination gauges conveying amperage, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer is said to have rolled over and shows 5,500 miles. The Tadek Marek-designed inline-six features an aluminum block and cylinder head, with the latter topped by dual overhead camshafts. An engine overhaul performed by ProtoTech Services in Alberta in 2010 included a displacement increase from 3.7 to 4.0 liters as well as machining of the cylinder heads to accommodate a 9.4:1 compression ratio with Vantage-specification valves and camshafts and a Vantage-style intake setup with triple Weber 45DCOE9 carburetors. A shim-under-bucket valve-lash adjustment system was added. Engine number 370/694 is shown stamped on the block above, matching the number listed on the factory build sheet and BMIHT certificate. Gearbox number S432/4/765 is shown stamped on the transmission in the photo gallery below as well as in a video below. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Suspension incorporates double wishbones up front and a solid rear axle located by a Watts linkage and trailing arms. Coilover shock absorbers are utilized all around. The build sheet lists the original colors, component numbers, and options including overdrive, chrome wheels, Marchal fog lamps, and a Motorola radio. Six factory service events are recorded through 1962 over approximately 6k miles. The BMIHT certificate is shown in the gallery below.