Aston Martin driven by comedy legend Peter Sellers in The Wrong Arm of the Law set to go for up to £2.6million at auction
- Peter Sellers' 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT being sold by auction house Bonhams
An Aston Martin owned by comedy legend Peter Sellers is set to fetch up to £2.6million when it goes under the hammer at auction next month.
International auction house Bonhams is offering the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT, driven by the actor in The Wrong Arm of the Law, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale next month.
The car, which is one of the fastest Grand Tourers of its generation, could boast a top speed of more than 150mph, thanks to a combination of its powerful 3.7-litre engine delivering 302bhp and lightweight magnesium-alloy body panels.
Sellers, a noted car collector and aficionado of luxury marques, was particularly fond of Aston Martins and acquired the DB4GT in late 1961 or early 1962.
His vehicle was serviced at Aston Martin Feltham where he befriended the late Richard Williams, future founder of eponymous restoration business RS Williams.
![An Aston Martin owned by comedy legend Peter Sellers is set to fetch up to £2.6million when it goes under the hammer at auction next month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/02/00/71676569-12148533-image-a-79_1685661840745.jpg)
An Aston Martin owned by comedy legend Peter Sellers is set to fetch up to £2.6million when it goes under the hammer at auction next month
![Sellers (pictured in 'The Wrong Arm of the Law'), a noted car collector and aficionado of luxury marques, was particularly fond of Aston Martins and acquired the DB4GT in late 1961 or early 1962](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/02/00/71676571-12148533-Sellers_a_noted_car_collector_and_aficionado_of_luxury_marques_w-a-81_1685661852486.jpg)
Sellers (pictured in 'The Wrong Arm of the Law'), a noted car collector and aficionado of luxury marques, was particularly fond of Aston Martins and acquired the DB4GT in late 1961 or early 1962
The DB4GT coupé was put through its paces as the getaway car belonging to Sellers' character Pearly Gates in the famed 1963 black and white motion picture.
The car was most notably in the getaway high-speed chase through Uxbridge Moor with a Wolseley 6/90 police car in pursuit.
The Aston was driven by Sellers for the 'hero shots' with most of the fast driving done by Ken Rudd, Aston Martin dealer, who appeared in the film as a gang member extra.
His dealership, KN Rudd in Worthing, had taken delivery of 41 DPX as a demonstrator, equipped with rare features including aluminium bezels surrounding the headlights, a single air scoop for the oil cooler and two air scoops.
Most of the 75 production GTs had their rear seats replaced by a carpeted shelf.
However, Sellers' car was one of just three with factory-fitted occasional rear seats, utilised by character actor Lionel Jefferies as Pearly's accomplice in the on-screen getaway, before the car and its passengers were stopped at Denham airfield.
It is understood that its original 3.7-litre engine was damaged during filming and was replaced at the Aston Martin factory, with a larger 4.0-litre block fitted in early 1963, and stamped as a 4.0-litre GT engine, according to Aston Martin records - to date the only factory-fitted 4.0-litre DB4GT engine.
Meanwhile, another DB4 performed the film's famous flying jump over a bridge. As the scenes were not filmed in sequence, 41 DPX was again in the spotlight for the last scene.
![The DB4GT coupé was put through its paces as the getaway car belonging to Sellers' character Pearly Gates in the famed 1963 black and white motion picture](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/02/00/71676573-12148533-image-a-82_1685661874977.jpg)
The DB4GT coupé was put through its paces as the getaway car belonging to Sellers' character Pearly Gates in the famed 1963 black and white motion picture
![The Aston was driven by Sellers for the 'hero shots' with most of the fast driving done by Ken Rudd, Aston Martin dealer, who appeared in the film as a gang member extra](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/02/00/71676579-12148533-image-a-83_1685661904581.jpg)
The Aston was driven by Sellers for the 'hero shots' with most of the fast driving done by Ken Rudd, Aston Martin dealer, who appeared in the film as a gang member extra
After its famous custodian, Sellers' DB4GT was owned by several enthusiasts, including the former chairman of the Aston Martin Owners Club, Gerry Keane, before being totally rebuilt.
The body and chassis work was undertaken by Bodylines and it was repainted Goodwood Green in 2002 by Spray Tec.
The car has appeared in Aston Martin's original press photos and has featured on the cover of various classic car publications.
'The DB4GT was bred to compete and gained immense success on the racetrack in both National and International competition. It's arguably Aston Martin's finest road car and is right up there as the ultimate 1960s' GT,' said Bonhams Cars Senior Collector Car Consultant James Knight.
'This example is in great condition, has a wonderful provenance and is offered for sale from a committed Aston Martin enthusiast.
'It really has all the credentials to be one of the most coveted examples'.
The car will go to auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in Chichester, West Sussex, on Friday, July 14.
Bonhams says it will be offered with an estimate of £2.2 to £2.6million.
Most watched Money videos
- Incredibly rare MG Metro 6R4 rally car sells for a record £425,500
- Honda to relaunch one of best-known sports car names in 2025
- Porsche 'refreshed' 911 is the first to feature hybrid power
- Bugatti Automobiles launch stunning £3.2m new hyper sports car for 2026
- Bugatti unveil new sports car with watchmaking-inspired interior design
- Watch our electrifying review of the new Ford Explorer EV
- Kia's 372-mile compact electric SUV - and it could costs under £30k
- We review the UK's cheapest EV - the £14,995 Dacia Spring
- This is Money reports 'green' 1,000 mile Tesla Model 3 trip to Scotland
- Ford revives Capri with new electric SUV priced from £42,075
- The new MG Cyberster EV roadster reviewed by TiM Motoring
- Bentley unveils record-breaking hybrid £240k Continental GT Speed car
-
Can this CHILL move slice £80k from the pension pot you...
-
Ford shelves plans to go all-electric from 2030 as EV...
-
Lowest fixed rate mortgages on the verge of falling below...
-
Praxis considering takeover of shopping centre owner...
-
Retail sales slump as cold weather and general election...
-
Broadband, mobile and TV providers banned from rip-off...
-
Hargreaves Lansdown suitors given extra time to finalise...
-
As Labour rips up planning rules to build 1.5m homes,...
-
MARKET REPORT: Burberry slumps 7.2% in chequered week for...
-
Dacia's budget-friendly Sandero tops Europe's sales chart...
-
MAGGIE PAGANO: IT outage shows cash still reigns supreme
-
Inheritance tax bill hits £2.1bn in three months as more...
-
Nationwide's £2.9bn takeover of Virgin Money cleared by...
-
Company insolvencies up 16% last month as cost pressures...
-
How to protect your money if Labour mounts an inheritance...
-
SMALL CAP MOVERS: AIM rocked by three further departures
-
London Stock Exchange hit by global IT outage
-
Harland & Wolff boss John Wood quits in funding crisis