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The DB4 GT -&- DB4 GT Zagato
Aston Martin DB4 GT
- Production Dates: 1959 – 1963
The DB4GT made its premiere at the 1959 London Motor Show. The car was designed by Aston Martin and used the Superleggera body frame system - aluminium panels on tubular support frames - produced by
Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Although similar to the DB4, the differences added up to a very different motor car.
Five inches were chopped off the original DB4 wheelbase, making the GT easier to handle on a race track and reducing the overall weight; the engine was equipped with new twin-plug head and 45 DCO Webers, which
increase power output to an impressive 302 bhp. The DB4GT was the first of many Aston Martin's to use the cowled headlights.
Specification
- Price New: £ 4534
- Engine:
- dohc I-6, 3670 cc; 302 bhp (DB4 GT)
- 314bhp (DB4GT Zagato) @ 6000 rpm, 240 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
- Transmission: 4-speed manual DB
- Suspension:
- Front: upper-and-lower A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
- Rear: live axle, Watt linkage, trailing links, coil springs
- Brakes: front/rear discs
- Length: 14'4"
- Width: 5'6"
- Height: 4'4"
- Wheelbase: 7'9"
- Weight: 1269 kg (2798 Ibs)
- Top Speed: 153 mph
- 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec.
- Production: 75
[Above: DB4 GT] [below: DB4 GT Zagato]
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
- Production Dates: 1960 – 1963
The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato was introduced in October 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was effectively a DB4 GT improved by the Zagato factory in Italy, by Ercole Spada. The Zagato's engine
produced 314 hp (234 kW), a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 154 mph (246 km/h). Initially the factory had plans to produce 25 cars, but demand wasn't as strong as expected
and production ceased at the 20th unit.
The first competition outing of a DB4 GT Zagato was during Easter in 1961 at Goodwood. Driven by Stirling
Moss the car finished 3rd, behind an Aston Martin DB4GT and the winning Ferrari 250 GT. The most famous DB4 GT Zagatos, affectionately known by the registration plates they share, of '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' were both
raced in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans. However a repeat of the 1959 Le Mans victory was not to be, with both cars retiring. In July 1961 at a British Grand Prix Support race the Zagato had its first victory. With '2
VEV' taking the last lap lead from a Jaguar E Type. In 1962 at the Goodwood TT the Zagato's took the team prize, with the famous racing names of Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. Both
Zagatos raced again at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the final Le Man race for a DB4 GT Zagato was in the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans where one Zagato competed.
DB4 GT Zagato
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato by Shapecraft. sold at Brooklands' summer classic auction
on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19th July. final sale at £151,500
DB4 GT
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