Chassis No. DB4/305/R Engine No. 370/339 Body No. DB4/305/R Produced from late 1958 through the summer of 1963, the DB4 proved an elegant departure from the earlier, more upright DB2 road cars that had defined Aston Martin throughout the 1950s. The DB4 featured groundbreaking Italian design by Touring of Milan, utilizing their patented Superleggera (super light) construction method that combined aluminum alloy panels with a lattice of steel tubes. The car's clean, sophisticated styling—characterized by its sweeping body lines, signature grille, delicate pillars, and discreet tail fins—would go on to define Aston Martin's aesthetic into the 1960s and beyond. Under the scooped hood, the DB4 showcased a technical evolution of the Tadek Marek-designed straight-six that first appeared in the DBR2 sports racing car—an all-aluminum, 3,670 cc unit producing 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Through its five-series production run, the DB4 evolved considerably based on early customer feedback. When the Series II variant arrived in January 1960, it brought several refinements including a front-hinged hood, a larger oil sump capacity, and an upgraded oil pump, along with new optional features like an oil cooler, electric windows, and an overdrive unit. These improvements made the Series II a more refined and versatile grand tourer, all while maintaining its most desirable original styling features including its perforated grille, tall hood scoop, and one-piece "cathedral" taillights. A fine example of a Series II DB4, chassis number DB4/305/R began its life in May 1960 when it was ordered by “Alan Stross, Jack Stross Limited” of Bately, West Yorkshire. Finished in Peony (red) over a Black Connoly leather interior, a digital copy of the original build sheet also notes that the Aston was factory equipped with an optional Power-Lok differential. After competing in the Competition Castle Howard in September 1960, the build sheet notes that the original transmission was replaced by the factory with serial number S432/3/494 on 11 November. Ownership records on file show that the car found its way to California in 1975, belonging to Mr. Verge Hagopan of Mission Viejo, California, who had the car shipped from Southampton to Los Angeles. The car continued to reside in the dry preservative climate of Southern California where it was acquired by Dr. Richard E. Lehrfeld in 1979, and later Michael Braysher in 1986. Following two decades of Braysher’s dedicated single ownership, the car was purchased out of Southern California and exported to Australia in 2007. Its new owner, Terry Stuart, swiftly commissioned a sympathetic refurbishment by the respected Hills & Company in Taree, New South Wales, during 2010-2011. Upon returning to Southern California in 2013, the car passed to William “Bill” Feldhorn who entrusted renowned Aston Martin specialist Kevin Kay of Redding to perform a complete, no-expense spared restoration. Hundreds of invoices on file chronicle the extensive mechanical refinements which included a five-speed transmission conversion, Vantage-specification engine upgrades, and Steel Wings suspension upgrades. The engine was further enhanced with forged pistons and 9 mm liners by British Motors of Orange, California. Feldhorn tested the Aston’s mechanical upgrades and durability through participation in classic rallies including the 2015 Copperstate 1000 and 2016 Quail Motorsports Rally before selling the car in 2020. Despite being restored over a decade ago, chassis number DB4/305/R has aged gracefully and maintains an exceptional presentation today in its stunning Silver Birtch and black color scheme. It retains the honest character of a thoughtfully restored, original car, evidenced by its factory chassis and body plates and matching-numbers engine. Complete with extensive previous ownership documentation and restoration invoices, DB4/305/R offers its next caretaker the opportunity to continue the Aston's grand touring legacy on future prominent road rallies.