Aston Martin Works, the world-renowned heritage arm of British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin Lagonda, is promising visitors to the upcoming Retromobile Show in Paris next month an unprecedented view of one of the brand’s rarest and most sought-after classic cars – Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, chassis no. 1173.
This one-off model, built in 1963 at the historic home of Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell – now center of operations for the Aston Martin Works heritage sales, service, and restoration business – is unique as, of the circa 70 DB4 Convertibles made by the brand between 1961 and 1963, chassis no 1173 is the only car known to have been built by David Brown’s factory team with the more potent DB4 GT engine as an original fitment.
This right-hand drive sports car, handcrafted for a UK customer and personal friend of then Aston Martin owner David Brown, is currently undergoing a bare metal restoration in the world famous heritage workshops at Aston Martin Works and arrives at the annual Parisian festival of historic motoring, this year once again being staged at the prestigious Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, as an engine-in chassis.
Offering visitors a rare glimpse up close of the remarkably detailed restoration process undertaken by the craftsmen and women at Aston Martin Works, the DB4 Convertible collectors’ item is joined on the Works stand in the French capital by other important examples of the brand’s illustrious history including one of only 40 Vantage V600 Le Mans to be built celebrating the 40th anniversary of the famous 24-hour race win; a 1968 DB6 Vantage; a 1960 DB4 Series II; and a V12 Vanquish with manual conversion engineered and carried out by Aston Martin Works.
Julian Wren, Heritage Director at Aston Martin Works, explained:
The decision to take chassis 1173 to Paris wasn’t simple, but we wanted to give the enthusiastic and knowledgable Retromobile audience the chance to see this exceptional piece of Aston Martin history up close as it progresses through its journey towards concours condition.
Like our other cars at this exciting event 1173 is available to purchase, and I’m looking forward to discussing the car with enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Aston Martin Works can be found on stand G46 in Hall 1 at the Retromobile event, which opens to the public at 10 am (CET) on Wednesday 6 February and runs until Sunday 10 February.
Note: Press release courtesy of Aston Martin Works.
