A 1961 Aston Martin DB4, owned by the Haynes Motor Museum, has been restored to full running condition after more than two decades as a static exhibit. The work was carried out by Haynes Heritage Engineering in Somerset. The car is now on public display at the museum near Sparkford.
The restoration of the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 marks a significant achievement for the Haynes Motor Museum. Originally purchased at auction and donated by John Haynes OBE and his wife Annette, the car had been a static display piece for over 20 years. Haynes Heritage Engineering, the museum's specialist classic car workshop, invested hundreds of hours to bring it back to operational status.
The DB4's history includes being written off in its first year of use and subsequent involvement in smaller incidents, necessitating major structural repairs. These efforts focused on reconstructing the front section and correcting prior repairs while preserving the car's originality and historical integrity. The restoration returned the vehicle to its factory-original Dubonnet Red paintwork and included reinstalling the original Fawn leather interior.
Key aspects of the project encompassed more than 200 hours of hand metalwork, approximately 300 hours in the paintshop, and a complete engine rebuild. A museum spokesperson noted, “Widely regarded as one of Aston Martin’s most desirable models, the DB4 combined Italian-influenced Superleggera design, a powerful straight-six engine, and effortless high-speed touring ability, establishing the blueprint for generations of Aston Martin Grand Tourers.”
Nick Lockey-May, workshop manager at Haynes Heritage Engineering, commented, “Restoring this DB4 has been an incredible opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of our team. Visitors to Haynes Motor Museum can now admire the DB4 both for its beauty and for the expert work that brought it back to life.”
The workshop, located in the museum grounds, handles private projects and maintains the collection, with all profits reinvested into the Haynes Motor Museum charity. The DB4 remains part of the museum's public collection.