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 two “Series IV” cars to be fitted out to full GT spec, not by Q branch, but in the new Aston Martin factory at Newport Pagnell, under the watchful eye of David Brown. The Tadek Marek-designed straight-6 was given a big valve, high-compression, dual-spark plug cylinder head, with dual ignition and triple Weber carburetors. This bumped the horsepower from 240 to 302. An oil cooler, overdrive and a Power Lok rear axle and GT clutch were also part of the update package.
The cabin of the Aston was also equipped with GT instrumentation, including an oil temperature gauge. This was all clothed in lightweight, Superleggera bodywork. Patented by Carrozzeria Touring from Milan in 1936, the superleggera system consists of an underlying structural framework of small diameter tubes to which the thin and lightweight alloy body skins are then attached.
Walking around the DB4 one can see all the thought that went into this hand-built machine and the influence of the many people behind its 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 their imprint on this car. Rounding out this trio, 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.
As 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 that year. In 1963, Kjell Qvale, an Aston Martin distributor in San Francisco, bought the Cooper to return to Indy with a more powerful Offenhauser engine. A letter from Qvale’s chief mechanic, Joe Huffaker, states that he had started the job of installing a two-speed Halibrand 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, was impressed with the project and offered to supply engines for free as a promotional outlet for Aston Martin. Kjell jumped at the chance despite the fact that there were less then 30 days before they had to leave for Indy. The team measured up a stock DB4 engine and started work. The frame had to be stretched seven inches to accept the engine, also a new engine adaptor, clutch, engine mounts and oil tank had to be created. They finally finished and got to Indy a week late, but in time to have Pedro Rodriguez take his driver test. On the last day of his test he reached 145 mph to pass, but 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. That engine was then sold to Inskip (the New York Aston Martin distributor) and Robert Mauntner, the original owner of DB4/892/L in which it was installed. This was not a good combination for the road car, and thankfully the original GT engine was put back in where it belonged.
Behind the Wheel
The exterior of the DB4 exudes exclusivity, and 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—which 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 need to tighten your belts, grab hold of the wood-rimmed steering wheel and hold on, while you keep an eye on the seven Smith’s gauges laid out in an arc around the steering wheel.
Many early Astons were called “Fast Lorries,” but I think there’s 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 lively and responsive. Even though the live rear axle jumps around a bit over bumps, the car never feels out of control and the disc brakes do a great job bringing the DB4 back down to legal speeds. In the final analysis, this particular DB4 is a very comfortable car to drive fast. The driver does have to be more aware of what he or she is doing than in a modern car, but it rewards you 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 one has inside as the Aston makes quick work of the road ahead of you. — Sean Smith
Driven Classics at a Glance:
SPECIFICATIONS
1962 Aston Martin DB4
Body construction
Wheel base : 98 inches
Length: 177 inches
Width: 66 inches
Front track: 54 inches
Rear track: 53.5 inches
Hight: 52.5 inches
Weight: 2734 pounds
Suspension: (F) independent wishbone, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti roll bar, (R) Live rear axle, coil springs, Watts linkage, lever arm dampers.
Steering: Rack & pinion
Engine: 3.7-liter, twin spark plug, DOHC, straight six
Bore & stroke: 92 mm x 92 mm
Compression ratio: 8.25:1
Induction: Triple Weber carburetors.
Power: 302 bhp
Torque: 278 lbs-ft
Transmission: 4-speed with overdrive
Brakes: Servo-assisted disc brakes
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed: 153 mph
0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Average fuel consumption: 17.7 mpg
VALUATION
Price at launch: £ 4169
Due to rarity of car, price is somewhere between a normal DB4 and a DB4 GT: ($600,000 -1.5 million)
