'Britain's answer to the Ferrari 250 GT' sells for £297,000

A car once described as the British equivalent of Ferrari's 250 GT SWB California Spyder emerged as the star lot at H&H's auction in Derbyshire, UK, last Wednesday (June 9).

A remarkable 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible with impeccable 'Swinging Sixties' provenance rolled onto the auction block with an estimate of £180,000-220,000.

The car's first owner was Sefton Myers, a successful property developer, theatrical agent and manager for the likes of Sir Tim Rice and Baron Lloyd-Webber.


This 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible sold for £297,000

Today, the DB4 remains forever linked the Swinging Sixties era. Famous DB4 Convertibles include a model driven by Michael Caine in one of the greatest car films ever made, The Italian Job.

This example, 376 PE, was treated to a full engine overhaul in 1974, and some repairs to the pistons by renowned marque specialist Robin Hamilton.

One of just seventy made, it was one of five splendid cars from the Midlands-based MJF Collection, all of which were hotly contested.

Sold by an owner in whose possession it has remained since April 14, 1980, the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible finally realised £297,000.

Another DB4, a hard-top 1962 model almost - but not quite - used in the production of the James Bond film Goldfinger was sold by Bonhams for 84,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.


The real James Bond ‘Goldfinger’ Aston Martin DB5 is going under the
hammer in October (Click here to read more)

 

H&H's went slightly better, featuring the 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III - the same model driven by Bond in Ian Fleming's novel, Goldfinger.

A former entry in the Louis Vuitton Concours, the dark green example offered was knocked down for £93,500.

Other vintage automobiles appearing in the sale included a 1959 AC Ace Bristol (sold for £170,500) and a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Boat-Tail Tourer with coachwork by Bampton Bros of Swindon (£30,250).

Elsewhere, collectors with an interest in Aston Martin and James Bond needn't settle for halves - the DB5 actually driven by Sean Connery as 007 in the movie Goldfinger will be sold by RM Auctions in London, in October.

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