DB4 Aston Martin Tyres

The DB name came from David Brown, the owner of the Aston Martin Company.

The DB4 series was built from 1958 through to 1963; a total of 1040 vehicles. The coachwork was designed by Touring of Milan, Italy. The body panels were hand made of aluminium mounted on a steel tube frame and featuring the Superleggera (meaning super light) method of construction.

Initially, the DB4 series used disc brakes made by Dunlop, but later switched to Girling. Each of the five series featured improvements, design modifications and technological enhancements. All the DB4s received their power from a Tadek Mereck designed, 3670 cc, six-cylinder, all aluminium engine. The 220-240 horsepower engine was able to propel the car to a top speed of around 140 mph, and from 0 to 60mph in just 8.5 seconds. David Brown designed and produced the overdrive transmission.

The standard DB4 body style was the Saloon version, while the Vantage series featured higher horsepower ratings.

In 1959, Aston Martin introduced the DB4 GT series. This series featured a shorter wheelbase and higher output than the standard DB4 Saloon. Due to the shorter wheelbase there were no rear seats. The engine had three twin-choke Weber Carburettors and twin distributors increasing the output of the standard engine to 302 bhp. This extra horsepower increased the top speed to around 153 mph and the 0-60 time to around six seconds.

Other distinguishable features of the GT series were the exposed, racing style fuel caps located on the rear wings. Perspex headlamp covers adorned the front of the vehicles. The GT series was produced from 1959 through 1963. During this time period, 75 models were produced. The Italian coachbuilder Zagato produced the bodies of 19 of these vehicles.

In 1960 the Zagato bodied cars were introduced at the London Motor Show. These hand-built vehicles were built to outperform Ferrari's. The short wheelbase, light weight construction, 314 horsepower engine, and a top speed of 160 mph made them very competitive.

The DB4 Drophead Coupe was produced from 1961 through 1963. 70 examples were created during this period. They were convertibles built on the DB4 Saloon body style using the same aluminium, Superleggera body construction. The standard six-cylinder 3670 cc engine was now producing 260 horsepower. Thirty-two of the convertibles received the Vantage specifications which increased the output of the engine. The overdrive transmission was also available as an option.

The DB4 Drophead Coupe was famously used in the movie 'The Italian Job'.

During the 1980s, an Aston Martin specialist named Richard Williams produced the remaining DB4s using the assistance of the Aston Martin factory and unused chassis.

DB Aston Martins, are arguably the best sports cars of the day, and until 1962/3 they fitted the same size tyres as all the other top marques such as Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar etc. Because this size is needed for the "best" cars, Michelin set themselves the task of manufacturing the best possible tyre.

With these 50's performance cars in mind they produced the Michelin Pilote X 600WR16 which is a tall period looking tyre designed to keep steering light with a tread pattern that can move water very effeciently. The Pilote X has rounded side walls with writing on the side designed to look like tyres of the period yet built with the best modern tyre manufacturing technology to keep the road noise down to a minimum with brilliant handling characteristics.

The Dutch company Vredestein make radial tyres in the size 185HR16. Vredestein tyres are proving very popular with the XK Jags as a cheap tyre but this tyre only has an H-speed rating (130mph)

Importantly with classic cars a tyre should be designed to give you, as the driver, the feed-back you need to make the experience of driving your car pleasurable, instead of the numb experience you could get if your car ends up fitted with a modern tyre carcass designed for power steering and modern suspension.

Michelin also still manufacture the original radial tyre - the Michelin X. This tyre is closest to the original crossply in shape and will keep your steering as light as is possible when fitting a radial. The Michelin X is its own worst enemy in that they last for ever and people may well have driven on a tyre that is 50 years old! The Michelin X is available at the same price as the Vredestein and for a more steady driver (speed rating 112mph) is a very nice option, keeping the handling the way it should be while at the same time being gentle to your wallet.

Avon make the TurboSteel - another good sporty option. If you want to slightly lower your car and have a big foot-print the Turbosteel is for you. Considering Aston’s long standing relationship with Avon the TurboSteel was tempting until Michelin produced the Pilote X and the re-emergence of the Pirelli Cinturato gave us better options.

Cross-ply tyres are still just right for some, where originality is important. Fitting cross-plys will keep your steering good and light and they also give a very comfortable smooth ride. Directional stability is the issue for cross-ply tyres and at cruising speeds they tend to wander. This is unavoidable by the nature of cross-ply construction, no matter what wild claims some manufacturers may make. If its cross-ply you want there is no doubt it needs to be the Avon TurboSpeed 600H16 as it is the tyre your cars left the factory on.

You wouldn't give Marilyn Monroe, Marge Simpsons hair style. So the exciting news for cars such as these is the re-emergence of the Pirelli Cinturato 185VR16. This is the only genuinley period tyre available in this size with a suitable speed rating (V 150mph) this was a hugley famous tyre in Europe and it was the upgrade tyre as it had the advantage of being a radial tyre but it was also progressive so it was the perfect tyre for road and track, just like an Aston.

These Pirelli Cinturato's have just become available again exclusively through Longstone Tyres ( 0044 1302 711123 ). There is a special offer on the Cinturato's, the Boys at Longstone Tyres will ship them free of charge, and if you mention you are an AMOC member you will get a club discount!

For an unbiased view of the 16" tyres available please click here for an article which appeared in the Maserati Club magazine.

Click here to see the options available for your DB4 Aston Martin.

If you have the 1962 Aston Martin DB4C, they fitted a 15 inch wheel. The correct fitment for the Aston Martin DB4C is a 670x15. Click here to see the options available for your DB4C Aston Martin.

If you would like to have the ultimate wire wheel upgrade then please click here for information on Borrani wire wheels.