240 bhp, 3,670 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder Vantage engine, triple SU carburettors, four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, independent front suspension with upper and lower control arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar, live rear axle with trailing links, coil springs and Watt linkage, and hydraulic four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 98"

- An original LHD Vantage DB4, one of only 70 DB4 Convertibles built

- Purchased new by famed actor and diplomat Sir Peter Ustinov

- Complete with a copy of the original Aston Martin build sheet

- Long-term ownership in a private Swiss collection

In 1956, development of the all-new Aston Martin DB4 began concurrently with that of the car it eventually succeeded, the DB2-derived DB Mark III. The DB4 was introduced at the London Motor Show during the autumn of 1958, and not only did it set the tone of Aston Martin styling for years to come, it introduced an all-new engine designed by famed Polish-born engineer Tadek Marek.

The DB4 engine, fitted with dual overhead camshafts and displacing 3,670 cc, was entirely constructed from aluminium and produced 240 bhp in standard tune with dual SU carburettors. While the basic engine was certainly impressive, the Vantage-specification was available from September 1961 and had 26 additional horsepower.

Aston Martin turned to Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring for a fresh, Continental-inspired body, executed with Touring’s famed Superleggera (super light) framework of small-diameter tubes cloaked in aluminium panels. The Harold Beach-designed chassis was both simpler and more rigid than its predecessors, using a new pressed-steel platform frame. Four-wheel Dunlop (later Girling) disc brakes dramatically improved stopping power. The DB4 also holds the distinction of being the first production car capable of travelling from 0-100-0 mph in less than 30 seconds. As such, it squarely placed Aston Martin on equal footing with its Italian archrivals, Ferrari and Maserati.

Aston Martin had moved from strength to strength throughout the 1950s and the 1960s, and the DB4 played a crucial role. In 1958, Britain’s Prince Philip awarded Aston Martin his Royal Warrant of Appointment. Meanwhile, under the guidance of famed “works” team manager John Wyer, Aston Martin took overall victory at Le Mans in 1959, with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori driving the mighty DBR1 sports racer.

Following on the success of the DB4 Coupé, the Convertible was announced at the 1961 London Motor Show. While the phrases “Aston Martin” and “movie car” generally evoke images of 007’s famed DB5, the DB4 also graced the silver screen in the 1960s cult classic The Italian Job, with famed actor Michael Caine driving a DB4 Convertible.

Chassis 1068L

The 1961 DB4 Vantage Convertible offered here, chassis 1068L, carries fascinating celebrity provenance, having been ordered new by none other than the legendary actor, playwright and diplomat Sir Peter Ustinov. It was delivered to him at Switzerland’s Montreux Palace Hotel on 27th July 1962 and registered 911 CGT. As the DB4 was intended for use on the Continent, Mr. Ustinov specified the car with left-hand drive and the uprated Special Series (more commonly known as the Vantage) engine. Originally delivered in Desert White with red Connolly hides, the DB4 was also equipped with such desirable items as chrome wire wheels and overdrive. Copies of the Aston Martin build sheet confirm that 1068L returned to the works for servicing three times between 1962 and 1968.

In September 1979, it was noted that the exterior of 1068L had been refinished in Royal Claret, and it remains in this colour today. After Mr. Ustinov, the next owner was Major R.L. Peel, followed by David Fyle Jamison. The current owner purchased 1068L in 1984 from the famed racing driver David Piper in the UK, and following acquisition he drove it from the UK to Switzerland, where it joined a private collection. Prior to the collection of the car, David Piper had the car serviced, fitted a new hood and re-trimmed the interior.

The current owner informs us that driving the car to Switzerland was a very memorable experience and that the car, although not fully restored, performed beautifully. Since then, 1068L has seen very little use. However, it starts promptly and does not smoke even when cold. While the current owner advised that it will benefit from sympathetic recommissioning prior to road use, 1068L nonetheless remains an exceedingly rare example in left-hand drive Vantage form with celebrity provenance to boot.