Lot details
Monegasque title
Chassis n°145L
Engine n°370/129
- Remaining in David McNeil’s hands for 40 years
- Delivered new in France, clear history
This beautiful Aston Martin DB4 has the uniqueness of belonging to David McNeil for the past 40 years: author, composer, singer and songwriter, son of the painter Marc Chagall and Virginia McNeil. Originally in metallic grey with beige interior, this car had a restoration carried out around thirty years ago and on that occasion, the colour was changed to an elegant raspberry red for the bodywork and black leather for the upholstery.
It began its career at Garage Mirabeau in Paris (importer of this make in France), where it was delivered on the 1st of June 1959. Three days later, it was delivered to the “Française d’entreprises et canalisations” in Paris and registered as 437 JA 75. It was then spotted in November 1960 on consignment sale at Roger Loyer, racing driver and sports car dealer; and after a brief stint in the Bouches-du-Rhone, it was taken over by Garage Mirabeau in 1961, under the registration number 685 LJ 75. It kept the same number plate with its two consecutive owners, the “Societe Nogentaise d’Imprimerie” and Mr. Edouard Lemercier respectively, between December 1963 and December 1967.
Placed in consignment sale in Paris, it was then sold in October 1970 to Mr. de Farcy de la Villedubois, from Mordelles in Ille-et-Vilaine and registered 5472 QJ 35. When its current owner acquired it, it was registered in Yvelines. David McNeil then acquired it and registered it in Monaco. He enjoyed it for the first few years as is and then had a full restoration carried out for the engine and the bodywork. On that occasion, he chose to have the highly elegant combination of dark red colour with black leather interior.
Very well preserved since its restoration, with its bodywork manufactured in the “superleggera” way from the Italian coachbuilder Touring as well as its very welcoming luxurious interior, it is equipped with its original 3.7-litre 6-cylinder engine. Combining Italian elegance with British refinement, this Aston Martin DB4 embodies touring the same way it was done by the British in the 1950s, when they went to the French Riviera to be seduced by its charms and warm sandy beaches. A pleasure that the future owner will be able to enjoy…
Please note that contrary to what is written in the paper catalogue the car is no longer fitted with its original engine and therefore isn't matching numbers.
Photos © Loïc Kernen
