Mention a classic Aston Martin from the David Brown era, and most people immediately think of the Silver Birch DB5 driven by England's most famous secret agent, James Bond. Yet the car's genesis dates to the 1958 London Motor Show, when the Aston Martin DB4 debuted to universal acclaim.

With its sensuous four-place aluminum body stretched over an underlying superleggera (tube frame) structure, Aston Martin had produced a vehicle that was, agreed the enthusiasts of the day, the equal of anything coming from Modena. It was also the first Aston Martin built at the company's Newport Pagnell works.

At introduction, the car was available only as a two-door 2+2 coupe (although the factory did claim it could seat four adults comfortably).

Styled by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan, the body was an instant classic,