The DB4 GT model by Zagato is a true classic that hails from British masters, Aston Martin. To most, Aston Martin has created an image of luxury and class, greatly helped by the iconic Jame Bond adopting the later DB5 models as part of his suave character. Nevertheless, like its successor, the Aston Martin DB4 is a luxury car that classic car lovers admire.
The classic colour of an Aston Martin is without a doubt forest green, although it can look great in black or grey. Drive this car down the road and you will look and feel like government secret agent! It just has an indescribable level of mystique, simply leaving the driver drenched in its aura.
The overall look of the DB4 is incredibly versatile as it appropriately fits into any event, whether that be on the track or an afternoon cruise in the countryside. It is without a doubt one of the coolest cars in the classic genre. It was designed in response to the Ferrari 250 GT SWB during a period in which the companies had a fierce rivalry. There were only 19 of this particular edition made.
“Driving a 250 SWB is like wielding a hammer, it commands your respect through aggression and raw power”
As only so few models were built, its rarity is reflected in its high value today. The 14th tailor made DB4GT by Zagato sold for $14.3 million at a New York auction with the buyer said at the time, “Driving a 250 SWB is like wielding a hammer, it commands your respect through aggression and raw power. The Zagato, however, feels more like a tailored suit. It’s agile, sophisticated, and equally responsive…it’s a truly beautiful car to drive. And it fits perfectly.”
DB4 Zagato Features
The interior is fairly simple as you might expect from a racing car but not as much as was typically to be found in most racing cars back then. It has two front seats, as the rear seats were removed to reduce weight. The seats themselves are made from comfortable genuine leather and had great lateral support. The car had a high roof suitable for racer’s helmets to fit or for the taller driver, giving the occupants plenty of space to wiggle around. The steering wheel was large and thin, with a wood finish.
One further version of the DB4 was made by Aston Martin, the DB4 GT, redesigning it so that it could compete on the track. For Zagato to achieve sufficient improvement it had to make all kinds of changes. So they made a shorter chassis and upgraded the engine with 3 Weber carburettors. In addition, much of the body was remade with aluminium to reduce weight. The rear seats along with the bumpers were eliminated to further cut weight.
Many components were replaced with lighter aluminium materials so that the end product was reduced by 50 kilograms to a total of 1250 kilograms. As a result of the weight cutting, 12 additional horsepower were added to make the total output 314 horse power. It had a top speed of 246 km/h with a 6.1 second dash to 60 mph (97 km/h), a whole 3 seconds quicker than the original DB4. That made it the fastest road legal car built at that time.
Sadly, whilst the result was a vehicle that looked stunning it disappointed its makers on the race track. Even though it won many races it doesn’t have nearly the same pedigree as its rival 250 GT SWB. Yet, although it may have been a few seconds slower back in the day it remains exactly what it should be, an absolute piece of art being regarded by many as Zagato’s finest. For more visit: https://www.astonmartin.com/en-au/models/past-models/db4gt-db4gt-zagato
