1962 Aston Martin DB4 Fastback Coupe

The competition between Ferrari and Aston Martin during the 1950s for supremacy in the World Sports Car Championship escalated to heights, as both teams jockeyed for top honors. As one manufacturer would achieve greatness, the other was close behind, ready to re-secure its place at the top. Aston Martin won a decisive 1-2 victory in 1959 at the 24 Hours of LeMans, prompting Ferrari to update its aging 250 GT 'Tour de France' to the new SWB Berlinetta. Aston's response was the DB4GT, a competition version of their latest grand touring saloon, featuring a wheelbase shortened to 93 inches, lightweight alloy bodywork, and a specially tuned high-compression engine topped with three large Weber carburetors. The DB4GT was particularly competitive with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta with the rare Lightweight configuration that literally matched the SWB in power and weight. Not content with 'matching' Ferrari, Aston Martin turned to Carrozzeria Zagato to build the ultimate expression of the DB4.

Zagato's creation incorporated design cues from both Aston Martins and earlier Zagato designs, resulting in a single harmonious shape with a slightly elongated nose and more pronounced grille. The rear used taillights blended into the fenders and the C-pillar reduced with a larger backlight, for an airier greenhouse. Aston Martin's engineer's coaxed twelve additional horsepower from the twin-cam six, and reduced nearly 50 kilograms of weight by using the same drilled chassis and aluminum floor panels found on the DB4GT Lightweights.

Just 19 examples of the DB4GT Zagato were built, representing the ultimate achievement for the Aston Martin DB4.

This particular example, the penultimate Zagato produced, was ordered new by Commander James Murray through Garage Mirabeau of Paris with numerous unique features. A Shelly Grey exterior concealed the slightly heavier gauge of aluminum which made it more robust, along with glass door windows. It has a unique, wide-pattern 'egg crate' grille designed by Commander Murray himself, special brake covers to prevent brake dust from contaminating the finish of the Borrani wheels, a locking glove box lid, and taillight 'stacks' similar to those of late DB4s. The interior originally housed DB4GT seats, special Italian-sourced gauges, and dual circuit brakes of the type used on Lancias The seats, gauges, and dual circuit brakes are no longer with the vehicle.

This car was the only one of the 19 Zagatos to receive chromed brass window frames, rather than the aluminum frames seen on other cars, and was also unusually mounted with glass windows in the doors. The car also has chromed brass door pulls.

The car was completed on June 26th of 1962 and delivered to the Commander a week later. The car was 'tested' by Aston Martin team driver Roy Salvadori at the BRSCC race at Brands Hatch, finishing 1st in Class and 2nd Overall.

The car entered the care of its second owner around 1964 - Ude Hansen of Malmo, Sweden, possibly through Garage Mirabeau's auspices. An Aston Martin dealer named Lars Wendal was the third caretaker. The car was rarely seen during this time and its history remains a bit of a mystery.

In 1972, the car was purchased by Tom Leake who commissioned Robin Hamilton to rebuild the car's engine and fit dual Scintilla magnetos, which remain in place today. Mr. Leake raced the car for the next four years and at some point in his ownership, a ZF five-speed gearbox was installed, and perhaps the Zagato-style seats as well. In 1976, it became the property of Julian Cottrell, a London-based photographer, who reinstalled a correct David Brown four-speed transmission. Cottrell raced the car in Aston Martin Owners Club and other events in England for several years. During this time the car was refinished in Aston Racing Green and a battery cut-off switch inserted on the body behind the rear quarter windows. The car's next owner, Richard Forshaw of Aston Martin Dorset, reversed the modifications made by Cottrell. Mr. Forshaw had the car completely restored between 1995 and 1997, with mechanical work by the Dorset specialists, chassis and bodywork by Alan Pointer, and paint by John Windsor's GTC, and the body returned to its original color. It is believed that the engine work included increasing the displacement size from 3.7 to 4.2-liters, and it still retains the Scintilla magnetos from the Leake ownership.

The car was sold to Les Edgar in 1998 following Mr. Forshaw's passing. It came to the United States in 2002 and was part of Chris Cox's collection. In 2016, it passed to Peter Goodwin, from whom it was purchased for the Andrews collection. Since entering the collection, the car has been given new 16-inch painted wire wheels and tires. The Andrews collection has changed the interior back to the original DB4GT-style seats, upholstered in correct leather acquired from England. (The original 15-inch chrome wire wheels and the Zagato-style seats remain with the vehicle).

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021