Description
Number 48 of only 150, an early example with frameless door windows matching the design of the DB4GT. This is a beautifully maintained, Concours quality example of the first and most important of Aston Martin's Superleggera designs - even more so being one of the original 150 cars that stand out from the rest with their frameless door windows and front opening bonnet.
A faded copy of the original build sheet for DB4/ 148/ R is part of the extensive and comprehensive ownership history of this wonderful very early DB4 Series 1. It is unusual to refer to an Aston by its registration number rater than chassis number but throughout its colourful history, she retained that number and the enduring affection of a succession of enthusiastic owners.
First on that illustrious list is Richard Gordon, a respected surgeon but a man more renowned as the author of the “Doctor at Large” comedy books that found their way onto film and TV screens. He bought the car from Brooklands Grage in London in September 1959. A regular at Pinewood Studios, he felt a little overwhelmed by the film producer’s 2 Rolls Royces – one a convertible for summer and the other a saloon for winter – when canvassing banks for funds for her films, she would park both outside the premises.
We know the car was next owned by a Mrs B J Smith of Burgess Hill in Sussex but in 1967, the car made a move across the Irish Sea to the ownership of a Robin McKinney of Lisburn, County Antrim – a true enthusiast, he was, for many years, President of the Ulster Automobile Club.
In 1968, another owner, a Malcolm MacGregor of Belfast – also a member of the Ulster Automobile Club he was an enthusiastic member of the AMOC who competed with the car in numerous events and a contemporary photograph even has the car acting as course car on the Circuit of Ireland rally.
In the early 1970’s she came back to the mainland and into the stewardship of probably the most mechanically qualified owner. Roy Jones of Wickham Bishops in Essex as a 17 year old, had been a proud member of the Aston Martin racing team working as the legendary Jack Sopp’s “Boy” and that included being part of the Le Mans support team in 1953 which included coming back from Le Mans in YMY 307 having had to make himself a Perspex screen overnight. There is a lovely letter from Roy in the folder where he recalls “sorting” the car out, renewing the braking system, renewing valves and tappets, overhauling the carburettors and setting the timing. As well has an article recounting his Le Mans adventure, there are contemporary photos taken during his ownership.
Next on the catalogue of owners were brothers Stephen and Jeffrey Archer – Stephen will be known to many Aston Martin owners as an authoritative and respected marque expert and they both have fond memories of the car.
But in August of 1981, the car moved down to Wales where Julian Rosser, area representative for the AMOC put his mark on the car with substantial restoration work carried out by respected Aston specialists Four Ashes Garage
The history folder marks the attention of each owner and the next owner’s name appears on a large number of service and parts invoices accumulated over a 25 year period of ownership that stretched from 1994 through to 2019.
Prior to its acquisition by its current owner, the car underwent some extensive work with amongst others, RS Williams and included extensive servicing; new front and rear windscreens and associated trim; miscellaneous chassis work; boot trim; cosmetic enhancement; and a gearbox rebuild, collectively totalling a little under £17, 000.
Based in the Channel Island, the current owner is an Aston Martin enthusiast renowned for his fastidious approach to the condition of his cars and a review of the work carried out by La Riche in September 2022 reflects that attention to detail and will prove a substantial bonus to the next owner.
