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An early Aston Martin DB 4 with an unexpected end

Name: Aston Martin DB 4 Series 1 1959
Brand: Aston Martin

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Created on June 28, 2013

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

Aston Martin

Archiv Aston Martin Heritage

Archiv

Bruno von Rotz

Aston Martin

Archiv Aston Martin Heritage

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - The rear has a unique design

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - from this perspective it looks like all other DB 4s

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - where and when was this rear end remodeled?

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - elegance and sportiness - one of the most beautiful designs of the late fifties

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1960) - unadorned lines - form follows function

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - at a hill climb

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - Interior with reclining seats

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1960) - Lightweight Superleggera construction

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - Classic DB4 front end

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - does not differ from other DB4s at the front

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - with additional headlights

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the shape of the rear distinguishes this DB 4 from all its brothers

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the unique rear design with individual rear lights

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - standard and original preserved interior

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the "Superleggera" mark identifies the design

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the sophisticated in-line six-cylinder engine

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - Air outlet on the side

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the original rear-view mirror

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - an old ACS sticker

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - the Aston sign on the rear

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - when the non-English were still clearly marked

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - with Superleggera license badge

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - Presentation at the London Motor Show Earls Court 1959

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1960) - Production in Newport-Pagnell

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Aston Martin DBS Berlinette Touring (1966) - presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1966

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Aston Martin DBS C Touring (1965) - rear view of the modern Touring creation

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - on the Lignières racetrack

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Aston Martin DB 4 (1959) - English GT with an unusual rear end on the Lignières racetrack

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Summary

A very special Aston Martin DB 4 Series 1 from 1959 has recently turned up in Switzerland, which differs from its siblings in that it has a redesigned rear end. This report explains the peculiarities of the modified DB 4 with many pictures and seeks the help of contemporary witnesses who can shed light on the transformation.

This article contains the following chapters

Italian design
A Swiss with peculiarities
The unusual rear end
Lots of patina
Who knows anything?

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Aston Martin DB 4 is one of the most beautiful and desirable cars of the post-war era. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on October 2, 1958. A very special DB 4 has emerged in Switzerland with a rear design that differs from the series. Frederico Formenti was responsible for the elegant design of the DB 4. The aluminum body was pulled over a skeleton of aluminum tubes using the Superleggera construction method. In 1959, a left-hand drive vehicle with chassis number 186/L left the factory in Feltham to be delivered to a Swiss customer. It differed from its brothers only by the additional limited slip differential installed.

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