A one-of-one 1962 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series IV’ Vantage with stunning Roman Purple paintwork, sold under the hammer with H&H Classics at its Millbrook sale held at Bedfordshire, UK, on December 3 for £372,375 (~AUD $750,102).
Forty-five DB4 Series IV Vantages were made and this one, from a private collection, is the only one to be finished in the eye-catching hue.
Notable as the first Aston Martin design on which the word ‘Vantage’ was used to signify a distinct model (rather than a state of engine tune) it was only in production between March and October 1962.
In 2022 ‘550 HYT’ was stripped to bare metal and treated to a host of structural and panel repairs before being repainted in Roman Purple by classic-car specialist restorers, with the process taking over two years. The interior keeps its original, patinated leather upholstery.
Sharing the same eponymous design as the later DB4 Series V Vantage and DB5 with faired-in headlamps, seven-bar grille and reprofiled bonnet scoop, the DB4 Series IV Vantage was 3.5-inches shorter, 1.5-inches lower and several hundred pounds lighter than either of its successors, offering a driving experience that some ranked second only to the DB4 GT.
It had a significantly reworked ‘Special Series’ 3670cc DOHC straight-six engine developing 266bhp and 255lbft of torque thanks to a third SU carburettor, improved inlet manifold, higher compression ratio, special pistons, larger inlet and exhaust valves and hotter plugs. It was united to a four-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission.
The Vantage was sold with a copy of the build record and a history file dating back to the 1960s, with former custodians including an Isle of Man TT racer, who owned it for nearly 52 years.
Damian Jones, director at H&H Classics, said: “When it comes to highly desirable and incredibly rare classics, then it doesn’t get much better than this amazing Aston Martin DB4.”