1961 Aston Martin DB4 RSW Lightweight Ex David Heynes

History

SOLD – We are delighted to offer one of the most successful DB4 Lightweight racers ever constructed, the ex-David Heynes DB4 Lightweight. Originally supplied by Mill Garages in July 1961, the DB4 was delivered new as a road car and finished in Caribbean Pearl with White Gold hides

Little is known of the cars early road going history but its competition history began in the 1980s when the car was fully rebuilt (without regard to expense) by marque exponents R.S.Williams, on behalf of historic racer David Heynes to compete in the popular and highly competitive Aston Martin Owners Club Racing Championship

Heynes was a very skilled and capable racer and ensured this was always a front running car, dicing with the likes of the great Gerry Marshall, Martin Angle and Pete Foster, the racing was very close and very exciting to watch as I fondly remember from many childhood visits to AMOC racing events. Throughout Heynes ownership this Lightweight was always maintained, prepared and run by RSW and some of its most notable successes are listed below:

• 1988 Silverstone – Heynes- 1^st Thoroughbred Trophy race and 1^st Post War AM race
• 1988 Oulton Park – Heynes – 1^st Thoroughbred Trophy race
• 1989 Brands Hatch – Heynes – 2^nd Post War AM race
• 1989 Silverstone – Heynes – 1^st Newport Pagnell Race
• 1990 Silverstone – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race
• 1992 Silverstone – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race
• 1993 Oulton Park – Heynes – 9^th Classic Sports Car race
• 1994 Brands Hatch – Heynes – 3^rd Post War AM race
• 1994 Silverstone – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race
• 1994 Mallory Park – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race and 3^rd Thoroughbred race
• 1994 Oulton Park – Heynes – 2^nd Post War AM race
• 1995 Silverstone – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race
• 1995 Mallory Park – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race and 1^st Thoroughbred race
• 1996 Brands Hatch – Heynes – 1^st Post War AM race and 1^st Thoroughbred race
• 1996 Silverstone – Heynes – 2^nd Post War AM race and 2^nd Thoroughbred race

Following Heynes’ ownership, the car was sold via RSW to a noted Californian collector who commissioned them to fully rebuild the car before it was exported to the USA. During a recent conversation with the actual engineer who completed the restoration he confirmed this was the last Lightweight RSW restored and the certainly the most highly developed of them all

The impressive mechanical specification saw an increase in displacement to 4.5 litres capacity producing a huge 416bhp, which has to be one of the most impressive outputs ever extracted from the Aston Martin six cylinder motor. The engine incorporated RSW camshafts, Cosworth pistons and Carrillo con-rods and breathes via triple twin-choke Weber 55 carburettors. Power is transmitted via a triple-plate competition clutch to a four-speed gearbox modified to facilitate ratio changes

The rear axle was braced and strengthened and fitted with doubled-up wheel bearings and a Hewland Powerflow limited-slip differential. The brakes were upgraded as far as the then AMOC regulations permitted (no ventilated discs allowed). Likewise modified within the AMOC rules at the time, the front suspension has altered geometry and upgraded coil springs and shock absorbers, while the 16″x6″ wire wheels maintain the correct ‘in-period’ look. Other notable features include an oil cooler, aluminium radiator, and fuel cell. The car also has an internal roll cage and a fire extinguishing system

Following its completion by RSW, the DB4 competed in the 2004 and 2005 Monterey Historics and the HMSA and CSRG series from 2004 through 2007, dominating its class. Repatriated to the UK in 2022 and fully UK taxes paid, this potent DB4 was the subject of extensive recommissioning and subsequently UK road registered

Without doubt one of the most exciting Aston Martin DB models extant today and with a proven race winning pedigree both in the UK and USA, our car offers tremendous value for money and is offered at a fraction of its build cost today. Supplied with UK V5, maintenance and service records and build photos/test photos following its rebuild in 2004 with the late and great Richard Williams and Tony Dron testing the car for the first time!