The Aston Martin DB4 – A detailed have a look at this sports activities automotive together with efficiency, technical knowledge, options, evaluating rivals, historical past, used costs
from Traditional to Trendy
THE CAR
The Aston Martin DB4 sports activities automotive was launched on the October 1958 London Motor Present because the Collection 1 variant, and priced at £3,967.
This 2+2 seater fastened head coupe was the successor to the DB2/4 Mark 3, and featured a restyled physique, designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, and used aluminium panels on a light-weight tubular metal chassis. Because of this, it produced a curb weight of 1308 kg.
Its Italian styling was properly obtained, and created fairly a stir on the launch.
It was fitted with Dunlop servo assisted disc brakes on every wheel, however have been later changed by Girling equivalents.
Coil springs have been used on the unbiased entrance suspension and the rear dwell axle, and an anti-roll bar was added.
An attention-grabbing level was that prospects have been provided a selection of numerous completely different again axle ratios to swimsuit their necessities, akin to a 3.31:1 for top velocity driving.
Collection 1
The Collection 1 was produced from October 1958 till January 1960, and was recognized by the truth that it had no over-riders on the bumpers and no window frames on the doorways, which tended to provide elevated wind noise when the automotive was pushed quick
Collection 2
This variant was produced between January 1960 and April 1961, and featured:
- Addition of door window frames
- The dimensions of the oil sump was elevated to offset engine overheating, plus an elective oil cooler was provided
- Bigger entrance disc brakes have been added
Throughout this era, almost 400 Collection 2’s have been constructed.
Collection 3
This was produced between April and September 1961, and featured the addition of three small taillights which changed the one unit on earlier fashions.
Collection 4
From September 1961 for the following yr, the Collection 4 was recognized by the substitute of the eggcrate-styled grille with one consisting of bars, along with a restyled air scoop on the bonnet.
An elective variant was provided with a extra highly effective engine fitted with three SU carburettors, and a cylinder head containing enlarged valves.
Collection 5
This remaining collection, from September 1962 to 1963, was distinguished by:
- A single, recessed rear mild
- The physique was now larger and longer with a view to present elevated inner area
- The dimensions of the wheels have been decreased with a view to preserve the identical total peak of the automotive
- The entrance part was restyled to provide smoother traces carried ahead from the Vantage and GT fashions
When manufacturing resulted in 1963, Aston Martin had produced a complete of 1,110 of the Collection 1-5 DB4 sports activities automobiles.
THE ENGINE
The DB4 was powered by a 3.7 litre, straight six, DOHC engine, with an aluminium alloy head and block, that developed 240 bhp at 5500 rpm, and 240 ft/lbs of torque at 4250 rpm.
Linked to a 4 velocity guide gearbox, and with a compression of 8.25:1, and two SU carburettors, it produced a high velocity of 141 mph, with 0-60 mph in 8.5 secs.
It delivered an total gasoline consumption of 17.7 mpg.
Early fashions had an unlucky tendency for the engine to overheat.
COMPETITION
Typical opponents of the Aston Martin DB4 included the next sports activities automobiles: Ferrari 250 GTO, Jaguar E-Sort Collection 1, and Porsche 911.
SPORTS CARS FOR SALE
A typical worth of the varied collection of an Aston Martin DB4 sports activities automotive are: Collection 1 = $270,000/£170,000, Collection 2 = $350,000/£220,000, Collection 3 = $220,000/£140,000, Collection 4 = $420,000/£260,000, and Collection 5 = $330,000/£200,000.
This concludes my Aston Martin DB4 Sports activities Automobile Evaluate
