Think of vintage Aston Martin and chances are you think of the iconic DB5, made famous by the James Bond movies series.
However the more interesting series made by the British carmaker is the series called the DB4.
Why more interesting? Well firstly the DB4 series of cars are much more complex to understand.
You see DB4s were made in five series. The DB5, well is just the DB5. All 1023 examples of the DB5 (coupes & convertibles) look exactly the same*. A DB 5 is a DB 5.
A DB 4 is not a DB 4 (we will explain – don’t worry). We at LME like the DB4 for another reason-rarity. Certain models of the DB4 are ultra rare and thus extremely valuable. Thought the DB5 is more valuable than a DB4?** Think again. The most expensive road going Aston Martin in existence belongs to the DB4 family: The DB 4 GT Zagato.
Today they trade for an estimated $7-9million (yes you read rightly). Ever heard of a DB4 GT? You can buy two Aston Martin DB5s for one DB4 GT. And what about a DB4 Vantage Series IV? It’s shorter, more aggressive than a DB5 and rarer. Are you confused? Don’t worry – we will explain and by the end of this post you will understand why I am a big fan of the DB4.
Understanding Aston Martin and what DB stands for
Let’s take a brief look first at Aston Martin’s history and what DB even means.
Although Aston Martin was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin, the real prominence of the brand came about after the second world war, when a clever businessman named David Brown bought the company in 1947. Just like the 250 series of cars put Ferrari on the world map of international car manufacturers, the DB 4 when introduced in 1958 put Aston Martin firmly on the map as makers of fine handmade super-sports GT cars. David Brown had made a large bet on the DB4 (DB stands for the initials of the new owner David Brown) that would pay off.
Combining British engineering (Tadek Marek motor) with Italian styling and bodywork (Touring), David Brown introduced a timeless, elegant and very exclusive sportscar that was able to compete with the best sports cars of the time (Ferrari, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz). The DB4 was clearly aimed at the very wealthy.
A Jaguar E-Type for example could be had at exactly half the price. But the world wanted an elegant Grand Touring car that was also extremely fast and sportive. Price, it seemed, was only of secondary concern.
David Brown did not disappoint when the DB 4 was introduced in 1958. The DB4 was so successful that it would secure the fortunes of Aston Martin for the next 25 years.
DB 4 success = Italian styling + British engineering
What made the DB 4 so successful? Two factors mostly.
Firstly the engine. The DB 4 was powered by a 3.7 L, straight 6 engine designed by the legendary engineer Tadek Marek. The engine was built entirely out of aluminium, with twin overhead camshafts and induction by two (or three if Vantage) SU carburettors. The DB 4 carried a four speed synchromesh gearbox and the claimed engine power was 240 bhp. Aston Martin made the claim that the car could accelerate from 0-100mph and brake to a standstill in under half a minute – which was nothing short of exceptional at the time. So the DB 4 was a very fast car – but still a Grand Touring car where the family could all fit (it had four seats).
The second reason behind success of the DB 4 is undoubtedly its elegant looks. Carrozzeria ‘Touring’ of Milan was responsible for the design of the bodywork and the result was a car that would prove to be timeless. Touring used the ‘Superleggera’ method of construction, which basically meant that the DB 4 was clothed in a light sheet of aluminum panels which were attached to the inner framework of steel tubing. The DB4 was as a result extremely strong and rigid but also very light.
This unique combination – British engineering and Italian design would make the DB4 an icon.
The DB 4 can be broken down in Five Series:
A total of 1213 DB4s were built between 1958-1963 before Aston Martin introduced the DB 5. They can be broken down as follows:
Model: Nr Made
- Series 1 150
- Series 2 350
- Series 3 165
- Series 4 185
- Series 4 Vantage 45
- Series 4 Convertible 11
- Series 5 50
- Series 5 Vantage 95
- Series 5 Convertible 19
- Series 5 Vantage /Con 21
- DB 4 GT 75
- DB 4 GT Zagato 19
Total Made 1213 (including 9 Prototype concept cars)
This list is confusing so let’s make it simple for our readers!
Firstly -the important thing to note: the closer one got towards the end of the series, the closer the car looked like a DB5. In fact the Series 5 DB4 is so similar to the DB5 – that simply from the outside you cannot tell the difference (opening the motor reveals major differences however). Secondly: series 1-3 have open headlights (see third picture below). Series 4-5 have closed headlights (see fourth picture) and thus is similar looking to the DB5. Thirdly Vantage meant: A Special Series engine with more horsepower (266 versus 240 for normal DB4) and triple SU carburettors versus two carburettors for the normal DB4. Lastly all of series 1-3 mostly looked similar.
The big change came with the series 4 cars which had covered headlights, individual lights at the back, a smaller air intake at the bonnet, seven diagonal bars on the front grille versus many squares previously and for the first time was available with a more powerful engine (more horsepower and triple carburettors). During the end of the DB4 lifetime and to better compete with Ferrari and Maserati, Aston built some high performance ‘special’ road cars aside from the ‘normal’ DB4 road cars.
One such car is the DB4 GT. The DB4 GT is the often called ‘the ultimate bankers car’ as it is very rare (only 75 were made), fast and very expensive. Think of the DB4 GT as a normal DB4 – except it is 75kg lighter, has 300 bhp and is powered by triple Weber Carburettors! The DB4 GT is among the most collectable of all Aston Martins ever made and today commands $1.3-1.5m.
Now lets briefly comment on the last car on this list: The ‘Picasso’ of all Aston Martins. The DB 4 GT Zagato is the ‘holy grail’ the ultimate super car to come out of Newport Pagnell. It is extremely valuable and the most collectible of all Aston Martins ever produced. Considered by many as the most beautiful car ever made, only 19 of these cars were made between 1960-61 by the famous Italian coachbuilders Zagato (see main picture above). The engine of the DB4 GT Zagato remained unchanged (3.7L , Straight 6) but had a higher compression ratio and delivered slightly more horsepower than the DB 4 GT (314 vs 300 bhp).
To help our readers who are aspiring collectors or already collectors and perhaps also want to buy with a budget in mind we have remade the list in terms of value and collectability. Most valued on top, followed by least valued on the bottom. (Please note the values are rough estimates given that many of these cars have not traded on the open market in recent years and we are making estimations on what the value would be today).
Model Comments
- DB4 GT Zagato 19 made, Value $7-9m
- DB4 GT 75 made, lighter and faster Value $1.3-1.7m
- Series 4 Convert. 11 made, very rare Value $1.2-1.5m
- Series 5 Convert. V 21 made. Desirable & rare Value $1.1- 1.3m
- Series 5 Convertible Same as above Value $1-1.2m
- Series 4 Vantage Shorter chassis Value $o.5m
- Series 4 Still collectable Value below $0.50m
- Series 3 Less collectable Same
- Series 2 Less collectable Same
- Series 1 Less collectable
Concluding thoughts
Understanding the Aston Martin DB4 takes time. That is what makes this series so interesting.
Yes there were slightly more DB4s made than DB5s, but because the DB4 was a constant evolution, they are broken down in series and thus from this vantage point, regarded as more desirable and rare. While much attention surrounds the DB5 (the James Bond car), the real connoisseur will be more interested in the DB4.
However because not all DB4s were created equal we will be writing separate posts on the following cars: DB4 GT Zagato, DB4 GT, DB4 Vantage Series 4, DB4 Vantage Convertible.
These are the most collectable cars ever to come out of Aston Martin. The DB 4 is a connoisseur’s car to be sure and many readers cannot tell the difference between the late DB4 series and the DB 5. This is why we like the DB4 – its complex and confusing to understand. In the coming months we will help our readers understand the subtle differences (with many detailed posts on each DB4 model) and perhaps by the end of our DB 4 posts, we too will have you convinced:
David Brown’s best model line without a doubt is the DB 4!
It laid the platform for the DB5 and the DB6, all of which are now considered the ‘Golden Years’ within the history of Aston Martin.
