A rare classic car is back on display at a museum in South Somerset and is running once more.
A 1961 Aston Martin DB4 is now on show at the Haynes Motor Museum after more than 20 years as a static exhibit.
It has been restored to full road-going condition by Haynes Heritage Engineering, the specialist workshop based at the museum.
The restoration highlights the enduring craftsmanship of classic British automotive engineering and the expertise required to maintain such iconic vehicles.
Nick Lockey-May, workshop manager at Haynes Heritage Engineering, said: "Restoring this DB4 has been an incredible opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of our team.
"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."
The DB4, purchased at auction, was generously donated to the museum’s collection by John Haynes OBE and his wife Annette.
It was written off in its first year, before being involved in several minor incidents, leaving it in need of significant structural repairs, particularly to the front section.
The restoration team prioritised preserving the car’s originality and historical integrity throughout the process.
Work on the vehicle included more than 200 hours of hand metalwork, around 300 hours in the paint shop, a complete engine rebuild, and reinstallation of the original Fawn leather interior.
The car now gleams in its original Dubonnet red finish, matching the colour it wore when it first left the Aston Martin factory in 1961.
Haynes Heritage Engineering supports both private projects and the ongoing care of the museum’s collection.
All profits generated by the workshop are reinvested into the Haynes Motor Museum charity, which funds the preservation of its internationally significant vehicle collection and supports educational programmes.
Through this work, the museum continues to inspire future generations in engineering, automotive history, and hands-on learning.
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