1961 Aston Martin DB4

Highlights:

Delivered new to Oei Tjong Tjay, the son of Asia’s richest man in the early 20th century.

Fully matching-number (Engine no. 370/654).

Overdrive Gearbox and Factory upgraded to ‘Special Series’ configuration in early 1964.

Extremely rare specification – 1 of only 11 built.

Unique configuration with many options to suit Oei Tjong Tjay’s taste, including the convenient overdrive, electric windows.

Very impressive documentation and history files.

1961 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series III’ Vantage Specification Sports Saloon

Chassis no. DB4/646/R · Engine no. 370/654 · Registration: YSU 378

Completed in May 1961, chassis DB4/646/R is a right-hand drive Series III saloon built to an unusually detailed specification. Supplied new with the rare overdrive gearbox, the car returned to Newport Pagnell in 1964 for conversion to the later ‘Special Series’ specification, incorporating a Vantage cylinder head and triple-carburettor setup.

The car was originally finished in Caribbean Pearl over Dark Blue Connolly leather, one of just eleven Series III DB4s confirmed in this colour combination. The guarantee form records an extensive list of options rarely seen on a single car of the period: oil cooler, Marchal fog lamps, side repeaters, electric windows, chrome wheels, heated rear screen, oil temperature gauge, rear seat-back pockets, yellow headlamp bulbs, loudspeaker wiring to the bulkhead, and the optional overdrive gearbox.

The first owner was Oei Tjong Tjay, son of Indonesian shipping magnate Oei Tjong Ham, whose family business was headquartered in Amsterdam, where the car was registered. At just under 20,000 miles and still under Oei’s ownership, Aston Martin upgraded the car at Newport Pagnell in 1964, repainting it in Fiesta Red and fitting the ‘Special Series’ engine package.

In 1971 the DB4 was exported to the United States, passing through two long-term owners before being bought in 1990 by AMOC member Hugh Clarke-Williams, who returned it to the UK. Clarke-Williams commissioned a cosmetic restoration, reinstating the original Caribbean Pearl with a carefully matched formulation from ICI and retrimming the cabin in Parchment leather at Connolly’s Wimbledon workshops. His illustrated record of the work is included in the history file.

The car changed hands at auction in 2001 and was then sold to family in 2003 (who retained the car until 2023), during which time it has been actively used for touring in Europe. Most recently, in 2022, it returned to Newport Pagnell for inspection by Aston Martin’s Heritage Workshop, who confirmed matching chassis, engine and gearbox numbers to the original guarantee form.

With its unusual specification, matching numbers and period Vantage upgrade, DB4/646/R offers an excellent prospect for a very usable DB4, with significant provenance and a detailed history file accompanying the car.