1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series II

The Aston Martin DB4 made its debut in October of 1958 and was the first Aston Martin to wear Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' bodywork. It was also the first car of the David Brown era which was not powered by an engine originally designed by W.O. Bentley, nor was its chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939. It wore styling by Touring and its fastback coachwork was built under license at Newport Pagnell by Aston Martin. The result was a car that combined Italian styling cues with an unmistakable Aston Martin aerodynamically styled design.

Aston Martin fitted a new twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder, 3.7-liter engine designed by Tadek Marek in the DB4. This engine had previously been used on the DBR2.

Production of the DB4 ranged from October of 1958 through June of 1963 in no fewer than five series. The five series were subsequently suggested by the Aston Martin Owners Club to help identify the model as it evolved. The Series II models, first shown in 1960, had a front-hinged bonnet, enlarged sump, and bigger brake calipers. Complaints about engine overheating resulted in the sump being increased from 15 pints to 17, the oil pump was uprated, and an oil cooler was added as an optional extra.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2018

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