1961 | Aston Martin DB 4 Lightweight

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Lightweight Race Car

Stripped out, paired down, re-engineered and developed to race. The DB4 lightweight’s when seen on track, provided a formidable sight and spectacle. Becoming ever faster, with over 20 years of evolution. The high state of development and engine tune resulted in spectacular racing within club motorsport.

With power in excess of 400 bhp available from the fully developed original Tadek Marek designed Aston Martin 6-cylinder engine, a total weight of less than 1000 kilos and with limited traction from the regulated narrow width tyres, driven via a limited slip beam axle. The extreme performance of the lightweight DB4’s attracted many professional and amateur drivers, entertaining many race spectators in period, with their lively performance and easily provoked ‘sideways action’ on UK and international circuits.

This exciting Lightweight DB4, chassis DB4/552/R, is an early Series II example, was supplied by AM dealer Charles Sidney of Yorkshire in March 1961. Enjoyed as a road car for some 20 years, its first taste of competition was between 1980 and 1982, when it was driven in AMOC hill climb events. Between 1986 and 1990, the car was restored and rebuilt to its Lightweight specification by the combined efforts of Ian Mason Ltd, Tickford Engineering, and ADA Engineering. Initially fitted with an upgraded 4.2-litre engine, between 1990 and 2000 it was owned and raced by Kohji Nakauchi, a Japanese collector passionate about British cars, who had previously owned both the Scimitar sports car marque and the Brabham F1 team during the late 1980’s.

When this car returned to the UK, just after the millennium, it was the subject of a further upgrade programme, including the engine being rebuilt to a 4.5-litre specification by Aston Engineering in 2005 and further uprated to, full race specification in 2007. Its David Brown four-speed gearbox was rebuilt with Hewland competition internals, the front suspension modified with lowered front roll centre, adjustable front anti roll bar, competition springs, adjustable dampers and AP Racing brakes fitted. The limited slip live rear axle also equipped with adjustable control arms, competition coil springs & dampers and with Girling competition brake callipers.

For many years DB4/552/R was maintained and prepared by the late racer and engineer Colin Blower and Aston Engineering Ltd and has been an extremely reliable and competitive entrant in Aston Martin Owners Club racing. Throughout its motorsport life it has appeared in circa 100 races, a remarkable achievement which certainly bears testament to the quality of its competition build and maintenance.

This Lightweights last circuit appearance was at the AMOC Racing St John Horsfall Memorial Meeting in October 2020, when it was campaigned by renowned motoring journalist and racer Andrew Frankel and Peter Smith, whilst in 2021 it ran in that years Brighton Speed Trials.

Quite possibly the most developed of all of the DB4 Lightweights, this example is finished in Metallic Chiltern Green and its interior is presented in tidy and good cosmetic condition.

Extensive history files noting every race entry and result, showing its wonderful race history dating back to the 1980s, along with numerous works invoices and associated paperwork, are also supplied with the car.

Currently UK registered and supplied with a current V5 UK registration document, this early Series II DB4, can either continue to be competitively campaigned in select motor sport events or alternatively, would make an ideal basis for a restoration, to either its former standard road car specifications or to mildly modified ‘fast road’ specifications.

Available for viewing now, at our Hertfordshire showrooms.


Specifications:

Engine: Aston Martin 4.5 litre 6 cylinder – 400 bhp+. Steel Crank, Forged Con rods and lightweight pistons, equipped with 55mm DCOI/SP Weber Carbs, Full flow oil cooling system, Alloy Radiator, Race ignition. Last built by race engineers, Aston Engineering Ltd. Derby.

Gearbox: David Brown / Hewland 4 speed competition straight cut gears

Suspension: Front suspension: Fully adjustable with Coil springs, telescopic adjustable dampers, lowered front roll centre and adjustable front anti roll bar.
Rear: - Cross braced, double bearing Limited slip live axle, with adjustable control arms, modified watts linkage and coil springs and telescopic dampers

Steering: Rack and pinion.

Brakes: Dual circuit double pump, adjustable bias.
AP racing bell mounted front discs and competition callipers.
Girling competition rear callipers and discs.

Instruments: Stack electronic Rev counter and full instrumentation.

Fire system: Plumbed in fire extinguisher system and internal / external battery master cut off.

Safety: - ATL Aluminium Fuel cell. Tillet race seat. Full safety Roll cage. Indicators, side, head and rain lights.

Body: Lightweight aluminium.