1960 Aston Martin DB4 FastBack Coupe

The Aston Martin DB4, a replacement for the DB Mark III, was launched in 1958 and was the first Aston martin to be built at the company's then-new Newport Pagnell factory. It was given a number of new components and manufacturing processes that would continue to influence the cars that would leave Newport Pagnell for many years.

Harold Beach was tasked with creating the chassis design, creating the company's first pressed-steel-type frame. Power was from a 3.7-liter, twin-cam inline six-cylinder engine that was engineered by Tadeck Mareck. The block and head were made from lightweight aluminum and was rated at 240 horsepower in standard form. The engine was mated to David Brown's own gearbox, and it had Dunlop disc brakes fitted at all four corners.

The elegant and sporty body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring, of Milan. Touring's patented Superleggera technique was used to produce lightweight but sturdy bodies out of aluminum-magnesium, which were wrapped around small-diameter steel tubing. Aston Martin produced the production bodies at their Tickford Works, under license from Touring.

Production of the DB4 lasted for a five-year lifespan, and during that time it underwent numerous running changes

This particular example, chassis number DB4 395R, is considered a Series II example, of which there were 351 built. The second series cars featured modifications to solve certain problems with the early production examples. They also were the last series with the one-piece 'cathedral' tail lamps, the tall bonnet scoop, and the original grille design.

This car was delivered to W.E.C. Knoff, of Dorset, in 1960. It remained with Mr. Knoff for seven years before being sold to Jack Brunwin, of Croydon, England. That same year, Mr. Brunwin - and the car - moved to New Zealand, where it was registered with plate NZ DX6332. After the Brunwin's ownership, the car remained in New Zealand, going through several owners, before it came into the care of its current owner, who purchased it on February 18th of 1986.

The Aston Martin DB4's engine was rebuilt in 1996. After the engine was rebuilt, the Aston Martin returned to its homeland in 1996, where it represented New Zealand on the FIVA World Rally. Since then, the car was stripped down to its bare chassis, and all of the bodywork, which included outfitting the car with all-new, solid front and rear bumpers, was re-finished. The interior was reupholstered in Black Connolly leather, and the exterior was repainted in Almond Green. The car has accumulated just over 5,000 miles since the completion of its engine rebuild in 1996, and just over 100 miles since its recent restoration.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014