Aston Martin DB4

Bond: “Where’s my Bentley?”

Q: “It’s had it’s day I’m afraid.”

Bond: “But it’s never let me down.”

Q: “M’s orders 007 you’ll be using this Aston Martin with modifications.”

Very special modifications, this 1962 DB4 (DB4/892/L) is one of 2 “series IV” cars to be fitted out to full GT spec, not by Q branch but  in the new Aston Martin factory in Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire,England under the watchful eye of David Brown. The Tadek Marek designed straight 6 was given a big valve,high compression 2 spark plug per cylinder head,with dual ignition and triple webber carburetors. This bumped the horse power from 240 to 302. An oil cooler, overdrive and a Power Lok rear axle and GT clutch were part of the package.

The cabin of the Aston  was equipped with GT instrumentation including an oil temperature gauge.This is all wrapped in lightweight  Superleggera bodywork. Patented by Carrozzeria Touring from Milan in 1936, the superleggera system consists of a structural framework of small diameter tubes that conform to an automobile body's shape and are covered by thin alloy body panels that strengthen the framework. 

Walking around the DB4 you can see all the thought that went into this hand built machine and the many people behind it’s creation. General manager John Wyer ( who later was part of the birth of the Ford GT40).Chassis designer Harold Beach  and the aforementioned engine designer  Tadek Marek. All left there imprint on this car.

 Managing director David Brown took a big leap forward by creating a completely new car in the DB4, as every major component was new, carrying over nothing from the previous cars.

If this Aston Martin wasn’t already rare enough it also has a connection to the indianapolis 500.

In 1961 Jack Brabham raced a modified Formula 1 Cooper at  Indianapolis. It was equipped  with a Coventry Climax

engine and finished 9th in the 500. In 1963 Kjell Qvale, an Aston Martin distributer in San Francisco bought the chassis  to return to Indy with a more powerful Offenhauser engine.

In a letter from Joe Huffaker, Qvales chief mechanic, to  present owner Robert Millstein,  Huffaker states that he had started the job of installing a two speed Hallibrand rear end and had adapted the chassis to receive a 250 HP Offenhauser engine. This engine fit quite nicely into the existing engine bay with a few simple modifications. At this point a rep from Aston Martin came by and was impressed with the project and offered to supply engines for free as a promotional outlet for Aston Martin. Kjell jumped at the chance and there they were less then 30 days before they had to leave for Indy.

They measured up a stock DB4 engine and started work. the frame had to be stretched 7 inches to accept the engine, also a new engine adaptor,clutch,engine mounts and oil tank were created.They finally finished and got to Indy a week late, but in time to have Pedro Rodriguez take his drivers test.On the last day of his test he reached 145 mph to pass. And then when the factory engine arrived the day before qualifying, it was different in many ways. The new engine was installed with much difficulty and Rodriguez went out and tried his best but only got to an average of 146.687 mph and was bumped out of the race by another car.

The engine was then sold to Inskip (the New York Aston Martin distributor) and Robert Mauntner, the original owner  where it was installed  in DB4/892/L.   This was not a good combination for the road car, and thankfully the original GT engine was put back where it belonged.

 The exterior of the DB4 exudes exclusivity it’s no different on the inside.When I Climb into the Aston I have the bespoke feel of leather, wood and wool carpeting surrounding me . Turn the key and the engine turns over and produces a wonderful growl. Taking  hold of the small shift lever,that has a satisfying rifle bolt action feel, I put it in gear and start off. The seats are rather large and don’t really hold you in place through tight corners,Something closer to a racing seat would improve your connection to the car greatly, but instead you just tighten your belts, grab hold of the wood rimmed steering wheel and hold on, while you keep an eye on the 7 Smith’s gauges laid out in an arc around the steering wheel.

Many early Astons were called “Fast Lorrys” , but I think there are many a Lorry driver who would love to have this experience. Handling that is a bit lifeless at slower speeds 

comes alive when you give it a bit more throttle and becomes much more informative. Even though the live rear axle jumps you around a bit over bumps, the car never feels out of control and the disc brakes do a great job bringing you back down to legal speeds.So the DB4 is a very comfortable car to drive fast, you have to be more aware of what you are doing then in a modern car, but it rewards you with with quick response to your input, and it gives you the confidence for some very spirited driving. 

All your senses are given a treat in the DB4, from the unique smell of an old British car, the symphony of sounds created by the straight  6 engine and the feeling inside you as the Aston makes quick work of the road ahead of you. 

Even at 51 years old this Aston Martin is not just taken out for the occasional  run down a country road, it has been on the track at Lime Rock with the VSCCA and AMOC.

DB4/892/L  had  only a very brief brush with racing,but it is still one hell of a road car. Many thanks to Robert Millstein of Briarcliff Classic & Imported Car Service for loaning us this very unique car.

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