THREE TIMES FOUR: RM SOTHEBY'S BRINGS ASTON MARTIN TRINITY TO LONDON SALE WITH DB4GT, DB4 CONVERTIBLE AND DB4 SERIES II COUPÉ

August 9, 2016 by RM Sotheby's

• RM Sotheby's assembles 'holy trifecta' of DB4s for its 10th anniversary London sale, 7 September at Battersea Evolution

• Trio led by original one-of-75 DB4GT, immaculate concours-standard Series V Convertible, and desirable left-hand-drive Series II Coupé

• Aston Martin fans also catered for with classic 1953 DB2 Vantage and desirable 2009 DBS Volante

• RM's Battersea sale the official auction of the UK's prestigious Concours of Elegance

• Further information and frequently updated list of auction entries available at rmsothebys.com

LONDON (9 August, 2016) – In many ways, the DB4 is the defining model that created the Aston Martin legend. Within a roster of blue-chip cars to be offered at RM Sotheby's annual London sale, 7 September, is a stunning trio of original, low-mileage DB4s, which will be a central feature at the upcoming Battersea-based auction. Led by a rare, original and hugely desirable DB4GT, RM will also offer a stunning late-production DB4 Series V Convertible and a three-owner-from-new DB4 Series II Coupé.

Paving the way for the ambitious 'gentleman racer' in the late 1950s was an all-new era of muscular British sports car by Aston Martin, the DB4GT. Made in limited numbers from 1959 to 1963, the competition-variant of the famed 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 no. DB4GT/0126/R is a RHD car manufactured in 1960, and is one of just 75 factory-built Aston Martin pure-breds, presented in original condition and benefitting from the all-important matching numbers status. Headlining the September sale, the featured 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT is one of just three GTs known to have been fitted with rear seats, and one of just 45 right-hand-drive cars. It is perceived to be one of the most original DB4GTs available on the market today, with no evidence of accident or repair – a rarity for track-prepped vehicles – and heads into the sale with an estimate of £2,200,000 – £2,500,000. Visitors to the Concours of Elegance will be able to preview the stunning DB4GT within the grounds of Windsor Castle in the days prior to the sale.

Lining up alongside the race-prepared DB4GT is an even rarer 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible. One of just 70 examples built, the DB4 Convertible is deemed to be one of the most stylish and rarest Aston Martin road cars ever made. The featured example, chassis number DB4C/1102/R, is a late-production Series V version, finished in Platinum over Red leather, and benefits from the desirable, all-important 'overdrive' gearbox. This superbly finished example has decades of known history and has been immaculately restored and preserved by well-known enthusiasts to concours-standard condition. A rare sight at auction, it carries a pre-sale estimate of £950,000 – £1,100,000.

The 'holy trifecta' of DB4s slated for RM London is completed by an immaculate 1960 DB4 Series II Coupé, which heads to the Battersea having had just three owners from new and accompanied by a comprehensive history file, including original UK logbook, correct jack, hammer and tool roll. Hailed by The Autocar upon launch as 'the fastest production four-seater yet tested', the DB4 has been consistently praised for its lightness, speed and small build.

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The Series II version was first shown in early 1960 with many improved features, including front-hinged bonnet and the adoption of flat glass in the rear quarter lights, where curved glass used to sit. Under the aluminum-bodied shell, the Series II improved in leaps and bounds with numerous Newport Pagnell factory upgrades. The example on offer, chassis number DB4/490/L, is presented in a very original specification, with optional oil cooler and chromed wire wheels still present from the original factory build. It's one of just 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 is a true connoisseur's car, estimated to sell between £480,000 and £520,000.

Peter Wallman, Managing Director of RM Sotheby's Europe, says: '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 significant 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 only eight right-hand-drive examples ever made with a manual transmission (Est. £110,000 – £130,000);

• 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato; number 26 of 61 road-going examples, this modern Aston has been in single ownership and has travelled just 4,200km from new. It comes to auction in exclusive Alba Blue paintwork – one of the five exclusive V12 Vantage Zagato colours (Est. £525,000 - £600,000); and,

• a freshly restored, Mille Miglia-eligible 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage, boasting known ownership from new and accompanied by an impressive history file (Est. £185,000 - £215,000).

RM Sotheby's exclusive evening London sale will celebrate a decade of excellence in the British capital next month. Held in partnership with the Concours of Elegance, which, this year returns to the magnificent Windsor Castle, celebrating the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, the action-packed week of events is set to draw thousands of local and international enthusiasts. The auction, held at the stunning Battersea Evolution in central London, has been witness to the sale of some of the world's finest automobiles over the past ten years – a tradition that is set to continue on 7 September as some 70 blue-chip automobiles cross the podium.

For further information or view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit www.rmsothebys.com. For further information on the Concours of Elegance at Windsor Castle, please visit www.concoursofelegance.co.uk.