1961 Aston Martin DB4 Fastback Coupe

When the Aston Martin DB4 was introduced in 1958, it was the first car of the David Brown era to wear Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' aluminum bodywork over a small-diameter steel tube framework. Also significant was its engine - the first non-Lagonda-designed unit. It was an alloy twin-cam 3.7-liter straight-six engineered by Tadek Marek and offering speeds of 140 mph.

This particular 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV was completed near the close of November 1961. It is a right-hand-drive example that was dispatched via Brooklands of Bond Street Ltd. to its first owner, Terence Sansom of Brighton, England. It wore a custom-ordered hue of Delphinium Blue, with a black leather interior and optional overdrive, Power Lok differential, Borrani wire wheels with knock-off hubcaps, oil cooler, oil temperature gauge, heated rear window, Marchal headlights, and 'Special interior leather trimming and carpeting.'

The engine was later converted to Special Series specification with three SU carburetors instead of the standard two, along with larger valves and 9:1 compression.

This Aston Martin changed hands five times among UK-based caretakers through 1969, by which time the car had been repainted in yellow. After an engine rebuild in 1970, the DB4 was imported to the United States by a new owner, Mark E. Leistickow of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When Mr. Leistickow relocated to Miami, Florida, in 1977, he brought the car with it. In 2013, the Aston Martin was purchased by James D. Zahringer of West Palm Beach, Florida, and shortly thereafter joined the Jim Taylor collection in Gloversville, New York.

The DB4 currently wears a heavily worn pale blue exterior, original leather hides, factory-specified Marchal headlights, Borrani wire wheels, Radiomobile radio, Smiths clock and oil temperature gauge, and tinted Plexiglass sun visors. There are period-correct Sebring mirror and accessory teardrop racing mirrors, and original chrome 'GB' lettering on the rear deck. Currently, the odometer displays 83,232 miles.

The current owner purchased the Aston Martin in 2022 and brought it to Broad Arrow's auction in Amelia in 2023.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023