1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II
First owner was Sir Peter Ustinov
completely restored, history available
Matching Numbers
The car never left Switzerland

The model
Introduced at the London Motor Show in 1958, the DB4 marked a new start for Aston
Martin. Polish engineer Tadek Marek created an all aluminum 3.7 litre in-line 6 engine from
scratch, first seen under the bonnet of the DBR2. The platform structure imagined by Harold
Beach received a sumptuous bodywork designed by Touring with their Supperleggera
construction method, which consisted in combining the aluminum alloy panels with a
structure of steel tubes. The final touch to the perfect recipe.
When presented, the DB4 was Britain’s fastest car, and undoubtedly the most beautiful.
Through the course of its career, from 1958 until 1960, the DB4 evolved in 5 series, each of
them bringing additional upgrades. Logically, feedbacks of the Series I clients allowed the
Series II to receive the greatest evolutions, and starting from chassis DB4/251 onwards, all
cars were equipped with a front-hinged bonnet, upgraded oil pump and larger oil sump
capacity. New options were also available such as the electric windows, oil cooler or
overdrive.
The technical turn taken in 1958 allowed Aston Martin to shine around the world not only
with the DB4 but also with its successors the DB5, DB6 and DBS.

This car
DB4/350/L was delivered on July 13, 1960 to none other than Sir Peter Ustinov. Ordered with Elusive Blue paintwork and off-white Connolly leather interior, the car came with options such as ‘2 Marchals foglamps’. A very useful feature for any drive in the Swiss mountains around Ustinov’s house in Bursins.
At the end of 1960, while driving through a tunnel in Italy, the engine blew up. The factory asked to send it back, but the actor kindly explained that « half of it was small enough to be dispatched in air-mail envelopes. ». The new engine, 370/117, was sent on December 29, 1960 to Hubert Patthey, Aston Martin’s agent in Switzerland. The replacement of the engine, along with several services, is described on the built sheet of DB4/350/L, included in the history file.

Years passed, and Sir Ustinov certainly greatly enjoyed driving his DB4 after his two Oscars for best supporting actor in 1961 and 1965. However, all good stories come to an end, the accomplished actor parted ways with his DB4 in 1971. Over the years 350/L changed hands a few times, before it was entirely restored from 2001 to 2003 and finished in a very emblematic combination of Forest Green with a black Connolly leather interior. Since 1960, the car has always remained in Switzerland, from Peter Ustinov to its most recent owner.
Today we are happy to offer this iconic car for sale, in perfect condition and ready to drive
any distance. This is not only the opportunity to acquire any DB4, it’s the opportunity to own
the DB4 once owned by two times Oscar winning actor Sir Peter Ustinov.