Monday 15th May 2006

Barn-found Aston fetches £78,000

DB4 beats estimates by factor of four

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Barn-found Aston Martin DB4

The barn-found Aston Martin DB4, which was in need of restoration but was in very good condition, fetched four times its estimate at Bonham's annual Aston Martin auction over the weekend: a massive £78,000.

Last week we covered the upcoming auction and reported on a classic barn discovery: a 1961 DB4 Series 3, estimated at £20,000, chassis number 641 which retains its original 3.7-litre engine and Dubonnet livery. Its late owner used the car up until 1974 (around the time of his daughter's wedding) and then bricked it up in the family dairy.

While most reckoned it might fetch £30,000 or so, the sale price was just the start. the new owner will need to spend up to £100,000 to get the car back into mint condition.

Among the other highlights was a 1967 DB6 Vantage Volante which went for £117,000 and a 1965 DB5 at £122,500.

• www.bonhams.com
• Related story: Bonhams holds annual Aston auction

[mark r skinner]

JB. it`s not you is it?

[needham]

Blimey, how prices change...I bought my first Aston, a DB5 Superleggera, in 1972 for £1100, and still got £1090 when I sold it a year later.Wish I still had it.

[ettore]

Unless there is a hidden justification (history?), this is a stupid price. You can get good, running cars for quite a bit less!

[LooseCannon]

Feckin barmy. Is this the start of another classic car arms race, like musclecars in the US?

[byff]

I don't understand the mentality of someone buying a really nice car, using it for a bit, then deciding to brick it up in a barn. Why do it?

Even if it's broken, surely you'd either get it fixed or sell it as not working, why would you just want to forget about it.

The only explaination I can offer is someone going through a divorce and would rather hide it than lose it.

Hmmm, answered my own question haven't I.

[ettore]

byff said:

I don't understand the mentality of someone buying a really nice car, using it for a bit, then deciding to brick it up in a barn. Why do it? Even if it's broken, surely you'd either get it fixed or sell it as not working, why would you just want to forget about it. The only explaination I can offer is someone going through a divorce and would rather hide it than lose it. Hmmm, answered my own question haven't I.

I think that there are many reasons - particularly if there are no specific financial pressures calling for a sale. My father has owned one, particular, car since 1968 during which time it has spent several periods off the road. It is kept for sentimental reasons and will never be sold - even if it is not really needed.

>> Edited by ettore on Tuesday 16th May 12:01

[robinellard]

In 92' I almost brought a mint DB4 in Australia for Au$55,000 or around £22K but thought it too much plus it was white, now everytime I see the prices over here I feel gutted! Still, DB4's are arguable the nicest looking old Astons...