AN ICONIC Aston Martin is back up and running – and on display – thanks to hundreds of hours’ work by Somerset car experts.

Expert restoration by Haynes Heritage Engineering has brought a 1961 DB4, owned by Haynes Motor Museum, back to running condition.

It is now on public display at the museum, near Sparkford.

For more than two decades, the DB4 was a static exhibit, but it has now been carefully restored to full running condition by Haynes Heritage Engineering, the specialist classic car workshop at the Somerset museum.

It will now remain part of the Haynes Motor Museum’s Collection on display to the public.

The 1961 DB4 is back on display. Picture: Haynes Motor Museum

Originally purchased at auction and donated to the museum by John Haynes OBE and his wife Annette, the DB4 is said to embody a remarkable chapter in British automotive history.

“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,” a museum spokesperson said.

“Prior to being acquired by John Haynes, the DB4 was written off in its first year of use and later involved in a number of smaller incidents, meaning it required significant structural repairs.

“These included the careful reconstruction of the front section and the correction of historic repair work, with every step prioritising the car’s originality and historical integrity.”

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Now, the car has been returned to its original Dubonnet Red paintwork, the exact shade it would have left the Aston Martin factory in 1961.

The project has involved more than 200 hours of hand metalwork, around 300 hours in the Paintshop, a full engine rebuild, and the reinstallation of the original Fawn leather interior to bring the car back to its original best.

“Restoring this DB4 has been an incredible opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of our team,” said Nick Lockey-May, workshop manager at Haynes Heritage Engineering.

“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.”

Haynes Heritage Engineering is based in a public-facing workshop in the museum grounds, taking on private projects and the ongoing care of the venue’s collection.

All profits generated by the workshop are reinvested into the Haynes Motor Museum charity.

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