 1960 DB4 GT | 1960 DB4 |
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1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | GT Coupe Coachwork: Zagato Chassis Num: 0186R |
A DB4 GT chassis was sent to Zagato, and Ercole Spada designed one of the most beautiful cars ever built. Zagato, based in Turin, was well-known for constructing lightweight aluminum bodies for Alfa Romeo and others, including various LeMans winners. Aston Martin sent the DB4 to Zagato for weight reduction to help it compete with Ferrari's 250 GT on the track. It emerged 100 lbs lighter and clothed in a sleek, new body. The car had a 3.7-liter, DOHC inline six under the hood, producing more than 300 bhp. Approximately 24 Zagatos were built with perhaps 75 'conventional' DB4GTs.
 |  |  | GT Coupe Coachwork: Zagato |
This automobile is basically a DB4GT improved by the Zagato factory in Italy, by Ercole Spada. The Zagato's engine, designed by Tadek Marek, is a dual overhead cam straight-six producing 314 bhp and zero-to-sixty mph acceleration in just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 153 mph. Initially the plan was to produce 25 cars, but limited demand cause production to cease at 20 units in 1963. Another notable feature of the automobile is four-wheel disc brakes.
The DB4 GT Zagato was raced in the 1962 LeMans 24 Hours race by such famous names as Roy Salvadori and Jim Clark.
This is another variation on a DB4 GT Zagato. Perhaps most notably, it is the only Zagato not to have faired-in headlights. As a whole, the styling of this car echoes the early series DB4, incorporating not only the DB4 headlight treatment but also the bonnet scoop found on the DB4 as well as a few other Zagatos. The car is in completely original condition.
 |  |  | GT Coupe Coachwork: Zagato Chassis Num: IVEV |
 |  |  | GT Coupe Coachwork: Zagato Chassis Num: 187L |
Under license from Carrozzeria Touring, these Zagato bodies used the Superleggera (super-light) construction technique, meaning a thin skin of aluminum stretched over a network of small-diameter steel tubing.
This particular example was the Turin show car in 1961. It has several unique features such as bumpers, a chrome strip along the side, chrome instead of polished aluminum around the windows and headlights, and chrome wheels. It is believed to be one of only two examples that had hood scoops. of the nineteen examples built, just six were left-hand drive.
The car remained in Italy until 1968. It was shipped stateside after it was purchased by Dr. Nicolas Begovish of Fullerton, Ca. It was purchased by the current owner in 2001 and a restoration was commissioned to Steel Wings in Philadelphia.
Most Zagatos were painted red at some stage in their life, including this one, but it was originally blue with off-white leather. It appears here in traditional Aston Martin green, or California Sage, as it is sometimes known.
Since then, the car has been very busy. It has been displayed at the Aston national Meet, it also was on their magazine cover. It has appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, on a Road and track calendar, at Pebble Beach, and in museums in Atlanta and Portland. It has run the Copper State 1000 and been featured in Aston Journal of Heritage Trust.
The DB4Z is called 'one of the most beautiful Aston Martins ever created' by company CEO Dr. Úlrich Bez, and is widely recognized as the greatest street Aston, the benchmark against which the current Vanquish would be judged.
According to Elio Zagato, Koelliker, a friend who was Aston's dealer in Milan, commissioned the DB4 Zagato. 'The idea was a nice street car that could go racing, though that was not its original purpose,' Zagato says. 'It developed into that. When Aston saw the car, they liked it and decided to make it a factory model.'
Thus began one of the most memorable chapters in Aston history. The DB4 Zagato appeared in 1960, its beautiful but aggressive aerodynamic body setting it apart from standard Astons, clearly showing its performance pretenses. The interior was comfortable yet stark, a reflection of the weight saving measures done throughout the car.
The DB4 Zagato was produced for two years, wîth 19 made. The car's 314 horsepower engine was more powerful than the standard DB4. Coupled wîth its lighter weight and more aerodynamic body, it easily cleared 150 mph. A number were campaigned frequently, though they could never consistently unseat their made-for-racing Ferrari 250 GTO competitionSource - Zagato
According to Elio Zagato, Koelliker, a friend who was Aston's dealer in Milan, commissioned the DB4 Zagato. 'The idea was a nice street car that could go racing, though that was not its original purpose,' Zagato says. 'It developed into that. When Aston saw the car, they liked it and decided to make it a factory model.'
Thus began one of the most memorable chapters in Aston history. The DB4 Zagato appeared in 1960, its beautiful but aggressive aerodynamic body setting it apart from standard Astons, clearly showing its performance pretenses. The interior was comfortable yet stark, a reflection of the weight saving measures done throughout the car.
The DB4 Zagato was produced for two years, wîth 19 made. The car's 314 horsepower engine was more powerful than the standard DB4. Coupled wîth its lighter weight and more aerodynamic body, it easily cleared 150 mph. A number were campaigned frequently, though they could never consistently unseat their made-for-racing Ferrari 250 GTO competitionSource - Zagato
The DB name came from the name David Brown (later Sir David Brown), an individual who had purchased the Aston Martin Company.
The DB4 series was built from 1958 through 1963. A total of 1040 vehicles and five series were produced during this time frame. The coachwork was performed by Touring of Milan, Italy. The body panels were hand made of aluminum mounted on a steel tube frame and featuring the Superleggera method of construction. Superleggera means super light.
Initially, the DB4 series used disc brakes made by Dunlop but later switched to the Girling made disc brakes. Each of the five series featured improvements, design modifications, and technological enhancements. All of the DB4s received their power from a Tadek Mereck designed, 3670 cc, six-cylinder, all aluminum engine. The 220-240 horsepower engine could propel the car to a top speed of around 140 mph and the go from zero to sixty in just 8.5 seconds. David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin, produced the overdrive transmission.
The standard DB4 body style was the Saloon version; however, the Vantage series could be ordered and featured higher horsepower ratings.
In 1959, Aston Martin introduced the DB4 GT series. This series featured a shorter wheelbase and higher output than the standard DB4 Saloon. Due to the shorter wheelbase there were no rear seats. The engine had three twin-choke Weber Carburetors and twin distributors increasing the output of the standard engine to 302 bhp. This extra horsepower increased the top speed to around 153 mph and the zero-to-sixty time of around six seconds.
Other distinguishable features of the GT series were the exposed, racing style, fuel filer caps located on the rear wings. Perspex headlamp covers adorned the front of the vehicles.
The GT series was produced from 1959 through 1963. During this time period, 75 models were produced. The Italian coachbuilder Zagato was tasked at producing the bodies of 19 of these vehicles.
In 1960 the Zagato bodied cars were introduced at the London Motor Show. These hand-built vehicles were built to outperform Ferrari's. The short wheelbase, light weight construction, 314 horsepower engine, and a top speed of 160 mph made them very competitive.
The DB4 Drophead Coupe was produced from 1961 through 1963. During this time frame, 70 examples were created. They were convertibles built on the DB4 Saloon body style using the same aluminum, Superleggera body construction. The standard six-cylinder 3670 cc engine was now producing 260 horsepower. Thirty-two of the convertibles received the Vantage specifications which increased the output of the engine. The overdrive transmission was also available as an option.
In the 1960's, the DB4 Drophead Coupe was used in the movie 'The Italian Job.'
During the 1980's, an Aston Martin specialist named Richard Williams produced the remaining DB4's using the assistance of the Aston Martin factory and unused chassis.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
For more information and related vehicles, click here
blog comments powered by DisqusThe DB4 series was built from 1958 through 1963. A total of 1040 vehicles and five series were produced during this time frame. The coachwork was performed by Touring of Milan, Italy. The body panels were hand made of aluminum mounted on a steel tube frame and featuring the Superleggera method of construction. Superleggera means super light.
Initially, the DB4 series used disc brakes made by Dunlop but later switched to the Girling made disc brakes. Each of the five series featured improvements, design modifications, and technological enhancements. All of the DB4s received their power from a Tadek Mereck designed, 3670 cc, six-cylinder, all aluminum engine. The 220-240 horsepower engine could propel the car to a top speed of around 140 mph and the go from zero to sixty in just 8.5 seconds. David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin, produced the overdrive transmission.
The standard DB4 body style was the Saloon version; however, the Vantage series could be ordered and featured higher horsepower ratings.
In 1959, Aston Martin introduced the DB4 GT series. This series featured a shorter wheelbase and higher output than the standard DB4 Saloon. Due to the shorter wheelbase there were no rear seats. The engine had three twin-choke Weber Carburetors and twin distributors increasing the output of the standard engine to 302 bhp. This extra horsepower increased the top speed to around 153 mph and the zero-to-sixty time of around six seconds.
Other distinguishable features of the GT series were the exposed, racing style, fuel filer caps located on the rear wings. Perspex headlamp covers adorned the front of the vehicles.
The GT series was produced from 1959 through 1963. During this time period, 75 models were produced. The Italian coachbuilder Zagato was tasked at producing the bodies of 19 of these vehicles.
In 1960 the Zagato bodied cars were introduced at the London Motor Show. These hand-built vehicles were built to outperform Ferrari's. The short wheelbase, light weight construction, 314 horsepower engine, and a top speed of 160 mph made them very competitive.
The DB4 Drophead Coupe was produced from 1961 through 1963. During this time frame, 70 examples were created. They were convertibles built on the DB4 Saloon body style using the same aluminum, Superleggera body construction. The standard six-cylinder 3670 cc engine was now producing 260 horsepower. Thirty-two of the convertibles received the Vantage specifications which increased the output of the engine. The overdrive transmission was also available as an option.
In the 1960's, the DB4 Drophead Coupe was used in the movie 'The Italian Job.'
During the 1980's, an Aston Martin specialist named Richard Williams produced the remaining DB4's using the assistance of the Aston Martin factory and unused chassis.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
 1961
Aston Martin
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| Tags | |
| 3.7-liter, Carrozzeria Touring, Jim Clark, Roy Salvadori, 1961, 1961 Aston Martin, DB4 GT Zagato | |
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| 1960 DB4 GT | 1960 DB4 |
