DB4GT & DB4GT Zagato

Two of the most valuable and collectable cars in Aston Martin's history - the DB4GT and DB4GT Zagato remain popular with Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts alike. With a combined volume of just 100 examples in total, these cars have fetched over £1m at auction. As pre-cursors to perhaps the most famous Aston Martin, the DB5, the DB4GT and DB4GT Zagato played a crucial role in defining some of the iconic design cues still used in by Aston Martin today.

DB4GT
DB4GT Zagato

DB4GT

In October 1959, at the London Motor Show, an exciting new development of the DB4 was unveiled. With a shorter chassis, faired in headlamps and an uprated engine with 3 Weber carburettors, the DB4GT was designed to be equally at home on road and track.

The DB4GT was 85Kg lighter than the DB4 and was raced extensively with success by many famous drivers of the day. 75 ‘Touring’ bodied cars were built including several lightweight versions produced specifically for racing to demonstrate the car’s superb capabilities.

Specifications

Price New:: £ 4,534
Engine:: DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc, 302 bhp @ 6000 rpm
240 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission:: 4-speed manual DB
Suspension:: Front: Telescopic shock absorbers and anti roll bar
Rear: double action lever arm shock absorbers
Brakes:: Girling Servo assisted brakes with front and rear solid discs
Dimensions (LxWxH):: 4353 x 1676 x 1321 mm
Weight:: 1269 kg
Top Speed:: 153 mph
0 – 60 mph:: 6.1 sec

DB4GT Zagato

In late1960 the DB4GT Zagato was unveiled at the London Motor Show, clothed in a stunningly beautiful and lightweight body from the famous Italian coachbuilder. Only 19 examples were produced and this rarity is reflected in their high value today.

Four chassis numbers of the original proposed series remained unused and in 1991, four “Sanction 2” Zagatos, bodied in Italy and built by R.S.Williams Ltd in Cobham were produced with authorisation from the factory.

Specifications

Price New:: £ 4,534
Engine:: DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc, 314 bhp @ 6600 rpm
240 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission:: 4-speed manual DB
Suspension:: Front: Telescopic shock absorbers and anti roll bar
Rear: double action lever arm shock absorbers
Brakes:: Girling Servo assisted brakes with front and rear solid discs
Dimensions (LxWxH):: 4353 x 1676 x 1321 mm
Weight:: 1225kg
Top Speed:: 153 mph
0 – 60 mph:: 6.1 sec

2 Lightweight DB4GTs

Designed to be equally at home on road or track, several developments to the DB4GT were made to increase its competitiveness in its battle for supremacy against the Ferrari opposition. Two lightweight DB4GT’s were campaigned successfully by John Ogier’s Essex Racing Stable and he later owned the famous DB4GT Zagatos 1 VEV and 2 VEV.

With the kind permission of James Ogier, his son, we are able to show the two DB4GT’s prior to their first shakedown run at Silverstone in the hands of Roy Salvadori. After a distinguished career in international motor racing management, today James works as a Parts Analyst with Aston Martin Parts Operations.