In early 1959, Aston Martin began developing a new short-wheelbase racing version of its popular DB4 model, eventually to be dubbed the DB4 GT. Endowed with a lightened chassis and thin-gauge aluminum alloy coachwork, the DB4 GT was fitted with Girling disc brakes and a more highly-tuned version of Tadek Marek’s legendary 3,670-cubic-centimeter inline six-cylinder engine, featuring twin-plug ignition and triple Weber carburetors. Officially introduced in September 1959 at the London Motor Show, the DB4 GT was produced in a modest quantity of just 75 examples.

Soon after, Aston Martin turned to Carrozzeria Zagato to build what would be, for all intents and purposes, not only the ultimate DB4 GT, but also the ultimate expression of what could be created on its platform—a DB to end all DBs. Zagato delivered what is now considered to be its masterpiece, deftly combining design cues from both Aston Martins and earlier Zagato designs into a single, harmonious shape. The car featured a slightly elongated nose and more pronounced grille for a more aggressive look. At the rear, the taillights were blended into the fenders and the C-pillars reduced in size with a larger backlight. The beauty was not merely skin-deep, as Aston Martin worked to squeeze an additional 12 horsepower from the twin-cam six-cylinder, and shaved nearly 50 kilograms of weight by using the same drilled chassis and aluminum floor panels found on the DB4 GT Lightweight.

CONTINUING A HALLOWED LEGACY

In 2007, the Tickford Street facility in Newport Pagnell rolled out the very last Vanquish S, ending a 52-year-long history as the basis of all Aston Martin production. The future of the famed British automaker would now be seated at new sprawling headquarters on the former Royal Air Force base in Gaydon, but the old plant remained the spiritual home of the company. Newport Pagnell’s plant was fittingly repurposed as a base for the Aston Martin Works division, which would serve to provide maintenance, sales, parts, and restoration services to heritage models. On the heals of Aston Martin Work’s ambitious DB4 GT Continuation project, the division rightly followed up in 2019 with a run of 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars offered as part of the exclusive DBZ Centenary Collection together with the DBS GT Zagato. Each example was constructed from the ground up using freshly created parts that are mostly interchangeable with the original cars from the mid-century. Notably, engine displacement was increased to 4.7-liters while maintaining the original design parameters to produce close to 400 horsepower.

Chassis DB4/GT/0229/L was delivered to its first owner in late 2019. According to the specification form on file, the exterior is finished in a lovely shade of California Sage over a Light Tan leather interior with Sahara Tan contrast stitching and Sandstorm carpets. The cabin, finished to continuation specifications, is furnished with a traditional look intended to replicate the furnishings found in the original production run of these Zagato-body racers. The specification document also notes the selection of 16-inch wheels painted Borrani Silver and with polished lip.

A celebration of one of the finest Aston Martins to ever grace a racetrack, the DB4 GT Zagato continuation is a collector’s dream. Presenting with just 11 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, this highly exclusive automobile will make for a stunning addition to any collection.