Ultra rare Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage comes under the hammer at Blenheim Palace Auction.

• Exceptional right-hand-drive Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage headlines Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale
• Believed to be one of only 50 ever built and one of three originally supplied from the factory with an automatic gearbox
• Recent restoration and upgrades by specialist Aston Martin preparers have maximised and enhanced the driving experience
• Guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 underscores its rarity, provenance and high-quality mechanical restoration
• Held at the majestic location of Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September, the Salon Privé Sale features a host of high-end classic and modern supercars 

The star of the show at Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale held at Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September will be an outstanding and very rare Aston Martin.

Presented with superb history and in immaculate condition, the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage will command a guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 and will be the headline lot in an auction of over 60 exceptional, handpicked modern and classic cars.

Finished in its original Goodwood Green paint and red leather interior, the striking Aston Martin is believed to be one of only 50 cars built in this specification, and one of only three Series V Vantages to be built with an automatic ‘Borg Warner’ gearbox.

Aston Martin produced the DB4 from October 1958 to June 1963 and in that time made five ‘Series’ variants of shape and specification. 

The later Series V models were built between September 1962 and June 1963 and had a longer wheelbase (3.5-feet), creating increased legroom and space for luggage, making them superb grand touring machines.  

Delivered new on 24 August 1963, this particularly model, chassis #1197, is believed to be one of the last to leave the factory - the last being #1215L - before building of the later DB5 model commenced. 

The matching numbers Vantage variant has a unique and fully documented history as well as being recently restored to fast-road specification, by specialist Aston Martin race preparers.

During the restoration a four-speed David Brown manual gearbox with overdrive was fitted along with a full handling kit comprising springs, roll bars and Koni dampers. 

The brakes were also upgraded as well as adjustable power steering to further complement the driving experience. A set of custom-made ‘off-set’ Borrani wheels and restored red leather interior finish off the tasteful modifications.

The car comes with a comprehensive history file, including the factory records on the build sheet from 1963 to 1966 and correspondence from Aston Martin to the first two owners. 

It also comes with the original gearbox, allowing any future owner to return the car to original specification. The history then follows from 1973 to 2015 with vast amounts of invoices, receipts, MoT certificates and the now void tax discs, giving a detailed record of this car’s past.

Operations Manager and Classic Car Consignor, Harry Whale said: “We are very excited to offer this DB4 Series V Vantage, which incorporates an intoxicating blend of extraordinary provenance and history, along with an unrivalled driving experience. 

It’s a stunning example of the DB4 Series V Vantage and a car to cherish for years to come. Next month’s sale epitomises what we can do here at Silverstone Auctions - offering a quality, eclectic mix of exciting cars.”

16th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top £10m

• 16^th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top £10m
• Sir Peter Ustinov-owned DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible nets £1.5m
• More than 50 sports cars and 170 items of automobilia change hands 

In its 60^th anniversary year Aston Martin Works played host to another hugely busy Bonhams Aston Martin Sale on Saturday – with £10.3m worth of rare and prized sports cars changing hands.

The historic home of the great British luxury brand was the venue for the 16th annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale, which saw around 50 classic Aston Martins sold.

The annual sale is recognised as a globally-significant occasion for Aston Martin collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

The 2015 event was the biggest to date, setting a sales total of £10,280,275 and witnessing a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.

Highlights of the day included the 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible – originally the property of Sir Peter Ustinov – which sold for £1,513,500, and top lot of the sale, the 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible in ‘Vantage’ specification, which sold for £1,524,700 including buyer’s premium.

‘Barn find’ and project cars also sold well, with a brace of 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Sports Saloons performing particularly strongly – one selling at twice its top estimate and achieving £104,540, with the other changing hands for £115,740.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director at Aston Martin Works, said: “This year’s Aston Martin Sale has been a hugely memorable occasion, with rare and collectable Aston Martin sports cars going to buyers around the world.

“Despite the mixed weather there was a superbly sociable ‘garden party’ atmosphere among the 2,000 or so guests who joined us here today – enjoying the sale and helping us to celebrate our 60 years in superb style.”

Bonhams’ UK Head of Motor Cars Tim Schofield said: “As pioneers of the single-marque sale we’ve returned to Aston Martin Works here in Newport Pagnell for another great auction, exceeding all previous years’ totals.

“The quintessentially British marque of Aston Martin attracts interest from enthusiasts across the world, a fact demonstrated here again this year as we took bids from all corners of the globe. The sale attracted a larger and more cosmopolitan attendance than ever before, achieving an excellent result.”

Fancy an Aston ? got up to a Million ? well, there is a lot for sale here, go on, you know you want to !

In its 60^th anniversary year Aston Martin Works is gearing up to host the biggest ever Aston Martin Sale staged by internationally renowned auction house Bonhams.

Now in its 16th year, Bonhams’ Aston Martin Sale is set to see some of the brand’s most iconic, and valuable, sports cars change hands as eager bidders head to the Aston Martin Works facility for this globally significant auction event.

Among the highlights in the packed catalogue are two rare and collectible DB4 convertibles. The first, a 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible, is one of only nine produced in left-hand drive and was once the property of Sir Peter Ustinov. It carries an estimate of £900,000 to £1m. 

Meanwhile, in right-hand drive, a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 4.0-Litre Series IV Convertible is estimated at £800,000-900,000.

The 2015 event is Bonhams’ largest Aston Martin Sale to date, and features more than 250 lots of motor cars and automobilia.

A total of 21 DB4, DB5 and DB6s have been consigned to the sale – the largest number of Sir David Brown-era motor cars in the sale’s 16-year history.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director at Aston Martin Works, said: “The Bonhams auction weekend is always a highlight of the Works’ calendar and this year, once again, some truly remarkable cars will be offered for sale.”

Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Head of Motor Cars, said: “This year’s sale features a selection of significantly rare left-hand drive Aston Martins from the Sir David Brown era.

“At the time, only a small number of left-hand drive models were produced by the luxury marque, making the models incredibly rare. This year’s sale – in which more than a quarter of cars are left-hand drive – is very unusual indeed.”

He added: “But it’s not all about left-hand drive models. The sale has over 30% more lots than 2014, meaning there’s something for everyone. 

This includes restoration projects such as the 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Sports Saloon (Lot 201: £30,000-50,000); concours-standard motor cars such the 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé, originally the property of His Royal Highness, Prince Bertil of Sweden (Lot 209: £250,000-300,000), and the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series II’ Sports Saloon (Lot 233: £420,000-460,000) – plus many examples of automobilia.”

Formerly the property of Sir Peter Ustinov, the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible adds some Hollywood sparkle to the sale.

Originally owned by the Academy Award-winning actor, playwright and diplomat, this ultra-rare DB4 Vantage Convertible was delivered to him at the Montreux Palace Hotel in Switzerland in 1962. One of only nine DB4 Series IV convertibles ever made, the car is estimated at £900,000-£1m.

Aside from the auction activity, the event will also play host to the UK public debut of the luxurious new Lagonda Taraf super saloon. 

Unveiled to the world last year, and announced as a right-hand drive model in February, the new Lagonda makes its UK debut at the place where the last Aston Martin Lagonda model – the William Towns-designed four-door – was built up to its end of production in 1989.