Lot 143

Monaco 2024

1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series I

Offered from The 20th Century Collection

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€320,000 EUR | Sold

Monaco | Monaco, Monaco

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Chassis No.
DB4/136/L
Engine No.
370/137
Documents
Kuwait Vehicle Registration
  • Offered from The 20th Century Collection
  • One of 73 left-hand-drive DB4 Series I examples built
  • French-delivered example that is believed to have remained in France until its export to Kuwait
  • Supplied new in the vibrant colour of Sea Green over a White Gold Connolly leather interior by Garage Mirabeau; now finished in silver over black
  • Powered by its matching-numbers 3.7-litre straight-six engine
  • Offered with a copy of its factory build sheet, historic ownership logs, and a report by historian Marc Rabineau
Addendum: Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot est entré dans l'UE sous couvert d'une autorisation d'importation temporaire, qui doit être annulée soit en exportant le lot en dehors de l'UE avec une lettre de débarquement approuvé accompagné des documents douaniers nécessaires, soit en payant la TVA et les droits d'importation applicables pour que le lot reste dans l'UE.

Entering production in October 1958 and running until June 1963, the Aston Martin DB4 received four updates over this five year period, differentiating cars from ‘Series I’ through to ‘Series V’. The earliest examples were built from October 1958 until February 1960; distinctive features include a rear-hinged bonnet, over-riders and heavy-duty bumpers after the first 50 cars built, as well as an aluminium fan shroud after the first 100 built. All were powered by Tadek Marek’s 3.7-litre twin overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine. In total 149 Series I cars were built, with roughly half (73) built with left-hand-drive steering.

Built in the summer of 1959, chassis DB4/136/L was ordered new by Monsieur Seutet of Lyon, France, via the agent Société Mirabeau. Delivered on 13 June that year, the Tickford-built body was finished in the vibrant colour of Sea Green and complemented by White Gold Connolly leather upholstery.

Remaining with Monsieur Seutet for just over two years, the car was sold back to Mirabeau as a new Series IV was on order. A week later, the agent had sold this Series I to Ateliers Versigny—a Parisian property developer—on 24 November 1961. Remaining in Paris, the third owner, Mr. Clap, purchased the car on 13 October 1964, retaining it for three years, before selling to Monsieur Jacques Pelissier of Uzes on 18 December 1967.

Following Monsieur Pelissier's purchase of chassis DB4/136/L, it is believed that he remained the owner of this Aston Martin for a number of years. The build sheet notes an owner in 2007, and the vehicle was later exported to Kuwait, where it joined a significant collection and has remained since. Presented today in silver over a black leather interior, the DB4 has been found to retain its matching-numbers engine. Accompanying the car is a copy of the factory build sheet, historic ownership logs, and a report by historian Marc Rabineau.

Ripe for restoration, this mid-production Series I DB4 is an ideal contender to return to its wonderful and exceedingly rare factory colour scheme of Sea Green and White Gold leather.