1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage
- Engine
- 4.2L inline-six (uprated from original displacement), Vantage spec with triple SU carburettors and fast road camshafts, ~266 bhp
- Colour
- Blue
Chassis DB4/970/R is a right-hand-drive 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage, one of only 136 produced, delivered new on 12 June 1962 via Brooklands of Bond Street to L. Cottrell of Westmorland. Factory-specified with a DB4 GT instrument panel, oil cooler, wide-ratio gearbox, and 3.31:1 rear axle ratio, it left the factory in Black Pearl over Terra Cotta leather. After passing through numerous British owners across several decades, the car underwent a full restoration by Clark & Carter Restorations before 2016, and today retains its matching-numbers Vantage engine, uprated to 4.2-litre displacement with fast road camshafts.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £426,875 (≈ $534K)
- 1962-06-12 →Factory deliveryL. Cottrell of Westmorlandfull documentation
First owner, took delivery via Brooklands of Bond Street agency. Factory build sheet confirms delivery date and specification.
- 1965-11-01 →Private saleTudor Accessories Ltd, Hayes, Middlesexpartial documentation
Commercial entity that acquired the car in late 1965.
- 1971-09-01 →Private saleMelvyn Davies of Wargrave, Berkshirefull documentation
Recorded approximately 62,000 miles at time of purchase; his notes on file reference preparation for a paint respray, suggesting restoration activity during his tenure.
- 1987-11-01 → 2011-03-01Acquisition unknownR. P. Deacon of Buntingford, Hertfordshirepartial documentation
Retained the car for nearly 25 years before passing it on; a comprehensive restoration was initiated after his ownership ended.
- 2011-03-01 → 2016Acquisition unknownOwner who commissioned Clark & Carter restorationpartial documentation
Had the car fully restored between 2011 and 2016 by Clark & Carter Restorations of Cressing, Essex.
- 2016 →Acquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Commissioned further specialist trimming and mechanical work by Clark & Carter shortly after acquisition, totalling over £10,000, and returned the car to that workshop in March 2024 for additional mechanical repairs.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownA. L. Baker of Portslade, West Sussexpartial documentation
Ownership change noted around mid-1964, when the car had exceeded 15,000 miles.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBernadette Films Ltd, Londonpartial documentation
Acquired by August 1966; a London-based film company.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownA. M. K. Gross of Crawley Down, Sussexpartial documentation
First of five successive owners during the 1970s–1980s period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownKenneth Boyd of Kingston, Surreypartial documentation
One of the subsequent owners during the 1970s–1980s ownership sequence.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownP. Hardstaff of Truro, Cornwallpartial documentation
One of the subsequent owners during the 1970s–1980s ownership sequence.
Competition
- 20162016 Salon Privé
Car was displayed at concours standard following a comprehensive refurbishment by Clark & Carter; exhibited with pride by the consignor.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2016MaintenanceClark & Carter Restorations
Specialist interior trimming including seat strip-down and reassembly, remanufacture of cushion foam and covers, and fabrication of a boot fuel tank cover. Speedometer removed and repaired. Coolant renewal and heater matrix repair also carried out. Car was prepared to concours standard.
Total cost of this work was £10,867; carried out shortly after current consignor's acquisition.
- 2024MechanicalClark & Carter Restorations
Mechanical repairs to return the car to reliable running condition, covered by a workshop invoice totalling £9,244.
Full invoice is on file with the car's documentation.
- —Restoration
Believed to have undergone restoration work during the 1970s, including preparation and a full paint respray, as noted in documents from owner Melvyn Davies.
Details come from notes left by Melvyn Davies, who purchased the car in September 1971.
- —RestorationClark & Carter Restorations
Full restoration carried out between March 2011 and 2016, prior to the current consignor's acquisition.
Workshop located in Cressing, Essex.
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