1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible

Designed by Carrozzeria Touring to its Superleggera (Super light) principles of a lightweight tube frame skinned with alloy panels, the DB4 represented a significant advancement from its predecessors. It was powered by a fantastic all-aluminum unit, designed by Tadek Marek, which replaced the venerable LB6 engine originally developed by W.O. Bentley at Lagonda.

Marek’s new engine displaced 3.7 liters and featured square bore-and-stroke dimensions of 92 mm, giving the new powerplant a more revved-up character than the long-stroke DB2 engine. Other DB4 technical highlights included twin SU carburetors, fully synchronized David Brown gearbox, rack and pinion steering, and disc brakes.

This stunning Anglo-Italian collaboration is perhaps best known for the model’s prominent appearance in the movie The Italian Job (1969), as the wheels for Michael Caine’s charming thief Charlie Croker. Its elegance is beautifully summarized in the film by Mafia boss Altibani, who dubs it a “pretty car” before pushing it over a ravine.

Over the course of its production run, the model evolved based on clientele feedback and changing fashions, with incremental increases to the wheelbase and a series of technical and stylistic refinements, categorized into five series. From 1963, an elegant Convertible was offered on Series IV and V cars and incorporating their corresponding design updates. The convertibles were built in extremely limited numbers, with just 70 examples completed in total. These comprised 30 Series IV and 40 Series V cars, of which only 24 were configured in left-hand-drive. It is believed that just a dozen were delivered new to the US.

Reportedly built for exhibition at the New York International Auto Show, chassis DB4C/1083/L may be the most prominent and best-specified example to leave the Newport Pagnell Works.

Then, as now, it was common practice to “fully load” show cars, and DB4C/1083/L was no exception. As new, the Aston’s hood opened to reveal highly polished special engine covers, chrome linkages, and painted SU carburetors. On the technical side, it boasted the four-speed with overdrive transmission, chrome wire wheels, and an oil cooler. This stunning show car wore Desert White paint with a contrasting Connolly blue leather interior.

According to its factory record, the Aston Martin was later sold via New York distributor J.S. Inskip to John G. McGiffin of Jacksonville, Florida. Since 1904, generations of the McGiffin family have operated a shipping business in Florida, acting as agents, stevedores, and forwarders based in Fernandina Beach, just north of Amelia Island, where the car community assembles each March.

Mr. McGiffin kept the Aston for a remarkably long tenure, maintaining this prized example until 1985, when it was sold to Leon Gilbert of Scarsdale, New York. Three years later, it was acquired by Don Law of Dover, Massachusetts.

Under Mr. Law’s care, the car was extensively restored, gaining its striking Aston Martin Racing Green finish and light tan interior, with all details executed to show standards. Mr. Law enjoyed the Aston for 15 years before passing it to Mr. Davidson of Scottsdale, Arizona, who retained the Aston for just three years before the car found another long-term home in the custody of its current owner.

Kept under the care of the consignor for more than 20 years, this example has been thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated for its many outstanding attributes. A keen driver of his cars, the owner has covered many enjoyable road miles while ensuring the car has been diligently maintained. This Aston has been shown on several occasions, including at Aston Martin Owners Club concours events and Florida concours events, such as the Boca Raton, Mar-a-Lago/Cavallino meeting and Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, with many accolades.

Representing a strong value in today’s market, this exclusive Aston Martin Convertible, with its original, matching-numbers engine, has been maintained at a high standard, allowing it to serve brilliantly both as a usable tour car and a show car – a dual-purpose character for which it was originally designed.