1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon
- Engine
- 3.7L DOHC inline-six, triple SU carburetors, Vantage tune with forged pistons, ~287 bhp at 5,500 rpm
- Colour
- Silver Birch
Chassis DB4/305/R is a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon with Touring Superleggera coachwork, delivered new to the UK market in early 1960. The car spent several decades in California before being exported to Australia, where it underwent a sympathetic bare-metal repaint and mechanical refresh by Hills & Company of Taree. Returned to California, it was subsequently upgraded to Vantage engine specification with a five-speed gearbox by Aston Martin specialist Kevin Kay, and has since been exercised on prominent North American road rallies. The original matching-numbers engine is retained.
Ownership
- 2020-08-14Auction saleSold US$320,000
- 1960 →Factory deliveryUK market first ownerpartial documentation
Delivered new to the UK finished in Peony Red, per a copy of the original factory build record.
- 1980 → 2000Acquisition unknownPrevious California-based ownerpartial documentation
Held the car for two decades and carried out ongoing mechanical and cosmetic upkeep during that period.
- 2007 → 2013Private saleAustralian enthusiast ownerpartial documentation
Purchased in Southern California and exported to Australia; commissioned a sympathetic restoration by Hills & Company in Taree, New South Wales during 2010–2011, including a bare-metal respray in Silver Birch.
- 2013 →Private saleConsignorfull documentation
Long-standing European sports car collector based in Southern California; commissioned Kevin Kay for thorough mechanical upgrades including a 5-speed gearbox, Vantage engine conversion, and suspension work.
- Date unknownCalifornia-based owner in Beverly Hills and Palm Springspartial documentation
Car had migrated to California by the 1970s and was kept in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs; repainted Dark Blue Metallic at some point in the 1980s.
Competition
- —Going to the Sun Rally
Road rally held in Montana; car participated after the consignor's mechanical upgrades were completed.
- —Copperstate 1000 Rally
Touring rally in Arizona; one of several prominent North American classic car rallies the car completed in the consignor's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2010RestorationHills & Company
Comprehensive sympathetic restoration carried out over 2010–2011 in Australia, including a full bare-metal repaint in Silver Birch. The aluminium bodywork was found to have only minor age-related deterioration. The interior was stripped, assessed, and partially renewed, with new sound insulation fitted. Mechanical attention was given to the matching-numbers engine and drivetrain, and the electrical system was updated including a negative-earth conversion plus fitment of a new alternator and starter motor.
Work was commissioned by the Australian owner in Taree, New South Wales, with the aim of preserving originality and patina rather than a complete ground-up rebuild.
- —Bodywork
The car was repainted from its original Peony Red to Dark Blue Metallic while residing in California.
Approximate timing is the 1980s; no specific workshop is named.
- —MechanicalKevin Kay (Redding, California) and British Motors (Orange, California)
Following the consignor's acquisition, a thorough mechanical overhaul was undertaken: the gearbox was replaced with a five-speed unit (fitted without chassis modification), the original engine was upgraded to Vantage specification, suspension was upgraded using Steel Wings components, and the fuel and electrical systems were refurbished. Forged pistons and 9 mm liners were also fitted to the engine.
Kevin Kay handled the main mechanical refurbishment; British Motors of Orange, California supplied and fitted the forged pistons and liners.
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