Aston Martin DB4 - World Of Classic Cars - Rank 30

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 also 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 this basic engine was certainly impressive, the Vantage-specification power unit was available from September 1961 and delivered 26 additional horsepower. 

1962 Aston Martin DB4 

Aston Martin turned to Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring for a fresh, Continental-inspired body design, which was executed with Touring’s famed Superleggera (super light) process utilising a framework of small-diameter tubing cloaked in aluminium panels. The Harold Beach-designed chassis was both simpler and more rigid than that of its predecessors, using a new pressed-steel platform frame. Four-wheel Dunlop, later Girling, disc brakes dramatically improved stopping power. In keeping with its innovative specifications, the DB4 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 an equal footing with both of 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 the marque’s successful era. 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, en route to achieving the World Manufacturer’s Championship for sports cars. 

1961 Aston Martin DB4 

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 from Goldfinger and Thunderball, the DB4 also graced the silver screen in the 1960s cult classic The Italian Job. 

The lightweight superleggera (tube-frame) body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan, and its Continental looks caused a sensation on its unveiling at the 1958 London Motor Show. Although the design and construction techniques were Italian, the DB4 was the first Aston to be built at the company's Newport Pagnell works in Buckinghamshire, England. 

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Convertible 

The 3.7 L (3670 cc/223 in³) engine, designed by Tadek Marek, was a dual overhead cam straight-6, with cylinder head and block of cast R.R.50aluminium alloy. The engine was prone to overheating initially, but the 240 hp (179 kW) produced by the twin-SU carburettor version made buyers forgive this unfortunate trait. Servo assisted Disc brakes were fitted all around, with early 11.5 in (292 mm) Dunlops being replaced by Girlings. The independent front suspension used ball-jointed wishbones and coil springs and the live rear axle also using coils springs with location by a Watt's linkage. Rack and pinion steering was used. There was a choice of final drive ratios, the normal one for British and European use was 3.54:1, the United States usually got a 3.77:1 and a 3.31:1 was also available for customers wanting a car with an especially high top speed. 

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage 

A car with the British standard 3.54 final drive ratio tested by The Motor magazine in 1960 had a top speed of 139.3 mph (224.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 17.7 miles per imperial gallon (16.0 L/100 km; 14.7 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £3967 including taxes.
"Series" DB4s 

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series III 

There were five "series" of DB4s, with the most visible changes being the addition of window frames in Series II and the adoption of a barred (rather than eggcrate) grille in Series IV. The Series V cars of September 1962 have a taller and longer body to provide more interior space, though the diameter of the wheels was reduced to keep the overall height the same. The front of the Series V was updated with a more aerodynamic look that was later carried over to the DB5 cars.
DB4 Convertible 

1962 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible 

A convertible was introduced in 1962. It featured in-house styling similar to the Touring saloon, and an extremely rare factory hardtop was also available. In total, 70 DB4 convertibles were made from a total DB4 production run of 1110 cars. Top speed was about 136mph.
DB4 GT 

1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT 

The DB4 GT was a special lightweight, high-performance version of the DB4. Introduced in September, 1959, the GT's featured enclosed headlights and a thinner aluminium skin for lighter weight. The wheelbase was also reduced in comparison to the standard car, which resulted in many cars not being fitted with rear seats.
The engine, though, was what made the GT special. Available in 3.7 L (3670 cc/223 in³) and 3.8 L (3750 cc/228 in³) versions, the GT's engine had twin sparkplugs per cylinder with two distributors and three twin-choke Weber carburettors. Modifications to the cylinder head brought compression to 9.0:1 and power output was 302 hp (225 kW). Maximum speed for the GT was 151 mph (246 km/h) with a 6.1 second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h).
Seventy-five GTs were built with this body style. Nineteen more were modified by the Zagato works in Italy into DB4 GT Zagatos, with plain oval grilles, sans the stock GT's tail fins, and a smoothed out rear end. A single car was also styled by Bertone and dubbed the Bertone Jet.
Vantage 

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage

With the introduction of the Series IV in 1961, a high-performance DB4 Vantage was also offered. It featured three SU carbs and special cylinder heads, increasing power to 266 hp (198 kW). Most Vantage models also used the enclosed headlights of the DB4 GT as well. In all, there were 136 saloons and 32 convertibles with the Vantage engine.
Vantage GT 

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 Vantage GT Coupe 

A tiny number of non-GT DB4s used the GT's more-powerful engine. This combination is often called a Vantage GT, though not all included the Vantage package and none was technically a GT. Three Series III, five Series IV, and six Series V cars have this unusual combination of body and engine for a total of 14.

1960 Aston Martin DB4 (Series 2)
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	1958–1963 1,210 produced 1,110 DB4 100 DB4GT/Zagato
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB Mark III
Successor	Aston Martin DB5
Class	Sports car
Body style	2+2 coupé 2-seat coupé 2+2 drophead
Layout	FR layout
Engine	3.7 L Tadek Marek 240hp I6
Wheelbase	98 in (2,489 mm)
Length	177 in (4,496 mm)
Width	66 in (1,676 mm)
Height	52.5 in (1,334 mm)
Curb weight	2734 pounds