Riding in a Classic Aston Martin That Exudes Elegance

A lovingly-restored 1961 Aston Martin DB4 is making a splash once again at the Haynes Motor Museum. David Garmston is treated to a ride and uncovers what makes this car so unique.

In the charming villages of south Somerset, the sound of an English classic echoes through the calm spring air. A sleek Aston Martin sports car appears on the scene—its presence is striking, as if it’s returning from a sophisticated evening out.

The car in question is an Aston Martin DB4, painted in a vibrant red, equipped with a 3.8-liter engine and only 18,000 miles (28,968 km) on the odometer. This low mileage speaks volumes about its history. The vehicle was built in 1961 and met with an accident the same year. It was repaired, but not well, and crashed again the following year.

Now, it has found a new home at the Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford near Yeovil, after a long restoration process that took months. The work was carried out at a small private garage located behind the museum.

Technician Alex Knight and his team spent hundreds of hours transforming a wreck into a highly prized treasure valued at around £400,000.

"Every one of these cars was hand built. No two are exactly the same. If you take a step back, you’ll notice that one side is slightly higher than the other. That’s how it came out of the factory," Knight explained.

It's no surprise that he has developed a deep affection for the Aston. "I love it. It's elegant, it exudes class," he said.

The car has been repainted, and the color is officially known as "dubonnet." Shaken, not stirred.

The DB4 served as inspiration for the vehicles driven by James Bond, although Sean Connery was seen behind the wheel of the later DB5.

Workshop manager Nick Lockey-May is the only person permitted to drive it, and he gave me a test drive. There are no seat belts, no power steering, and only one mirror.

"It's an absolute pleasure to drive. We've put so much effort into it, and it's fantastic to finally have it on the road," he said.

The restoration of the car isn't just about preserving a vintage vehicle—it's also about shaping the future. The museum hopes that the skills required to restore the Aston Martin will inspire a new generation to consider careers in technology and engineering.

As I settled into the passenger seat, I turned around, half expecting we were being chased as the acceleration pushed me back into the soft leather.

This is the kind of car where adventure is always waiting around the corner. A trip to the Mediterranean would be exciting but also challenging. The vehicle is noisy, bumpy, and smells of old leather, petrol, and exhaust.

I absolutely adore it.