DB4 SS Vantage Coupé (United Kingdom, 1961)

With the Series IV cars came the introduction of the 'Special Series' engine in September 1961, which added a third SU HD8 carburettor, a higher compression ratio (9:1) and larger valves, which boosted horsepower by over 10 percent to a quoted 266 bhp, a useful increase over the already robust standard-specification engine. Most – but not all – 'SS'-engine-equipped DB4s were also enhanced with the attractively faired-in headlamps popularised by the iconic DB4GT and carried over to the DB5. It is these covered-headlamp versions of the Series IV cars, with just 45 produced in all, which were referred to as “Vantage” models by the factory.