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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
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
2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $11,000,000-USD $14,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $9,520,000
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Aston Martin DB4
(Data based on Model Year 1962 sales)
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Chassis#: DB4/948/L Sold for USD$208,437 2024 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Chassis#: DB4/970/R Sold for USD$553,170 2024 RM Sothebys : London | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Chassis#: DB4/882/L Sold for USD$296,233 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage Chassis#: DB4/1132/L Sold for USD$562,842 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 'SS Engine' Series IV Chassis#: DB4/965/L Sold for USD$775,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon Chassis#: DB4/1131/L Sold for USD$615,173 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Chassis#: DB4/816/L Sold for USD$335,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 SERIES II SPORTS SALOON Chassis#: DB4/589/L Sold for USD$379,000 2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 SERIES II SPORTS SALOON Chassis#: DB4/508/L Sold for USD$381,750 2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Chassis#: DB4GT/0190/L Sold for USD$9,520,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 'SERIES IV' VANTAGE SPORTS SALOON Chassis#: DB4/973/R Sold for USD$448,862 2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 'SERIES V' SPORTS SALOON Chassis#: DB4/1007/L Sold for USD$325,369 2021 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series 4 GT-Engined Saloon Chassis#: DB4/836/L Sold for USD$725,500 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage Chassis#: DB4/958/L Sold for USD$643,000 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV 4.2-Litre Vantage Sports Saloon Chassis#: DB4/982/R Sold for USD$580,984 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Chassis#: DB4/850/L Sold for USD$436,374 2019 RM Sothebys : Essen | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 'Series IV' Sports Saloon Chassis#: DB4/903/R Sold for USD$263,054 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 SERIES V Chassis#: DB4/926/R Sold for USD$568,596 2019 Coy's - London Classic | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 'Series V' Vantage Sports Saloon Chassis#: DB4/1133/L Sold for USD$1,282,149 2018 Bonhams : Zoute Sale | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Chassis#: DB4/817/L Sold for USD$682,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |
Aston Martin DB4s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1962 Aston Martin DB4's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 Aston Martin DB4 SS Engine Series IV | DB4/883/L | 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $475,000 | $650,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage Sports Saloon | DB4/1120/R | 2023 Bonhams : Bond Street Sale | $160,000 | $220,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Special Series Engine Series IV | DB4/884/L | 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | $450,000 | $550,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Sports Saloon | DB4/953/R | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $325,000 | $385,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 SS Engine Series IV | DB4/965/L | 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $700,000 | $900,000 | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 SERIES IV SS CONVERTIBLE | DB4C/1055/R | 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | $900,000 | $1,100,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Engine Series IV | DB4/886/L | 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 SS Engine Series IV | DB4/965/L | 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $780,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Série V SS | DB4/1212/L | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $900,000 | $1,100,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV | DB4/869/R | 2018 RM Sothebys : Monaco | $475,000 | $525,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Série V SS | DB4/1020/R | 2018 Artcurial : Retromobile | $550,000 | $750,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV | DB4/838/L | 2017 RM Sotheby's : Paris | $425,000 | $500,000 | |
1962 ASTON MARTIN DB4 SERIES 5 VANTAGE CONVERTABLE | DB4C/1085/R | 2016 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Works Sale | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 | DB4/794/L | 2012 RM Auctions Monterey | $572,000 | $475,000 | $550,000 |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Sports Saloon to Vantage specification | DB4/859/R | 2010 Bonhams Aston Martin and Related Automobilia | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series III | 2008 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars, Pioneer and Vintage Motorcycles and Fine Automobilia | $110,000 | $140,000 | ||
1962 Aston Martin Aston Martin DB4GT Coupe | DB4GT/0173/L | 2008 Bonhams Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 | 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction | $175,000 | $225,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $950,358 range.
1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé by Park Ward Chassis#:BC15FM Sold for $954,076 2024 RM Sothebys : London | |
2021 Ford GT Studio Collection Series Chassis#:2fagp9gw7mh200003 Sold for $946,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster Chassis#:WDD1994761M002017 Sold for $948,106 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1954 Cunningham C3 Vignale Coupe Chassis#:5442 Sold for $945,500 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive | |
1932 BENTLEY EIGHT LITRE SPORTS SALOON Chassis#:YX5110 Sold for $946,366 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
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1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.002957 Sold for $946,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Geared Online | |
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2019 MCLAREN SENNA Chassis#:SBM15ACA4KW800212 Sold for $946,000 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#:DB5/1926/R Sold for $944,435 2018 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | |
1993 Porsche 964 Carrera 3.8 RSR Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS496081 Sold for $946,000 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZHS900149 Sold for $950,000 2017 Mecum : Monterey | |
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500286 Sold for $957,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 Chassis#:3646 Sold for $946,571 2017 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
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1962 Aston Martin DB4
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