The Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato

photos by Ken Brown

Aston Martin has long been known to produce some of the most beautiful cars. Started by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in 1913, the two agreed to combine Lionel’s last name and the hill climb races at Aston Hill. The company went through financial trouble throughout the years, even closing up shop completely in 1926 until a group of investors revived the company. It wasn’t until after World War II that the company truly took off when David Brown Limited acquired the company, hence the “DB” before each model name.

Getting into the racing circuit was one of David Brown's first goals. Competing against Ferrari would prove to be a challenge so Aston Martin decided to modify one of their existing models for the race track. The DB4 GT was the result. Debuting in 1959 at the London Motorshow, the DB4 GT had a shorter wheelbase than the DB4, no rear seats, and an engine that pumped out 302 bhp to give the car a zero-sixty time of six seconds. The GT utilized the Superleggera (super light) construction system as well and to make the car even lighter, the head lamp covers were made out of perspex. Carrozzeria Touring of Milan produced these light weight bodies but they weren’t good enough to compete against Ferrari’s 250 GT. So, Aston Martin turned to Zagato in Milan to modify the car once more. Zagato was responsible for producing bodies for such track stars as the Fiat 8V, Alfa 8C 2900 and the Jaguar XK140 Z. Come October 1960, Aston Martin unveiled the DB4 GT Zagato at the London Motorshow.

The new car now sported more light-weight aluminum body parts and Zagato was even able to squeeze a little more horsepower out of the engine bringing the engine’s rating to 314 bhp. Each car was slightly different, however. For instance, the car pictured below has glass windows, chrome bumpers and is the only DB4 GT Zagato to retain the non-faired in headlights of the 19 Zagato made.

Three cars were built specifically for racing and were lightened even more so than the others. Perspex replaced glass for the side windows and the body panels were made of extremely thin aluminum. It should be noted that the bodies of all 19 cars are so thin and soft that if one were to push the car to a roll, the body would most surely dent.

Said to be one of the most beautiful automobiles ever made, this Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato has a lovely home at the Museum and looks remarkable from every angle.

ENGINE/PERFORMANCE: Configuration: Aluminum DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc Aspiration: Normal Fuel: Petrol Fuel delivery: Carburetor Power: 314 bhp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 278 lbs-ft @ 5000rpm Top Speed: 153 mph 0-60: 6 seconds 0-100: 14.1 seconds

DIMENSIONS: Length: 14’4” Wheelbase: 7’9” Width: 5’6” Height: 4’4” Weight: 1269 kg (2798 lbs) CHASSIS: Suspension front: Independent coil and wishbone, anti-roll bar, telescopic dampers Suspension rear: Live axle, coils and trailing links with Watt linkage, lever-arm dampers Drivetrain: Front engine, rear wheel drive Steering: Worm and roller Bodyframe: Chassis and superleggera (super-light) Transmission: 4-speed manual Brakes: Girling