PROVENANCE
Harold W. Levitt, Los Angeles, California (acquired new in 1960)
Samuel Allotta, Tacoma, Washington (acquired by the late 1970s)
Duane Crandall, Longview, Washington (acquired from the above in 1983) Current Owner (acquired from the above)

EXHIBITED
Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance, Forest Grove, Oregon, 1997 (First in Class)
British Field Meets, Portland, Oregon, 1990s and 2000s

THIS CAR
In October 1958, Aston Martin offered a new sports saloon that was engineered from the ground up. Featuring a purpose-built engine designed by the famed Tadek Marek, and wearing Superleggerra coachwork penned and built by Carrozzeria Touring, the DB4 went on to become the marque’s most popular model to date, evolving in five series through 1963. Also developed into some of Aston Martin’s more notable racing models, like the DB4 GT Zagato, the DB4 became the basis for the following two production models, establishing the company’s core identity through 1969.

Chassis DB4/211/L is one of only 149 Series I cars produced between October 1958 and February 1960. According to Aston Martin factory records, this relatively late-production example was delivered to Los Angeles-based British car importer Charles Hornburg in January 1960. Originally sold to well-known modernist architect Harold W. Levitt of Los Angeles, California, the DB4 was handsomely finished in Peony Red paint with beige leather upholstery.

By the late 1970s, the Aston Martin was owned by attorney Sam Allotta of Tacoma, Washington, and in 1983 he sold the car to Duane Crandall, a young lawyer from Longview, Washington. The DB4 soon became an important part of Mr. Crandall’s family, who nicknamed the car “Nigel.” The car remained in their possession for three decades and was regularly enjoyed in local events such as the Monte Shelton Northwest Classic and the Cascade Sports Car Club rallies.

In the late 1980s, Mr. Crandall undertook some sympathetic restoration measures that included the application of the current red paint and black leather upholstery. According to Mr. Crandall, an engine rebuild was commissioned to original factory specifications, although Venolia forged pistons were installed. Once completed, the DB4 took a class award at the Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance, and was displayed on several occasions at the British Field Meet at Portland International Raceway.

In March 2013, Mr. Crandall sold the DB4 through a broker to the consignor, a connoisseur of postwar Aston Martins. The consignor, who has owned many fine David Brown Aston Martins, reports that this is a particularly well-sorted DB4, retaining its original matching-numbers engine.

Handsomely presented and recently serviced, this beautiful Aston Martin can be characterized as a strong driver with great exhibition potential at local concours and AMOC events. Here is a rare left-hand-drive Series I DB4, with outstanding West Coast provenance and genuine character, which will make a fantastic addition to any collection of iconic postwar sports cars.