1962 Aston Martin DB4

Aston Model began work on an all-new model during the 1950s with development concurrent with the DB2-derived DB Mark III, which remained in production until 1959. The new car was called the DB4 and made its introduction at the Paris Motor Show during the autumn of 1958. Touring of Milan clothed the car with the signature 'Superleggera' construction. Power was from an all-new engine designed by Tadek Marek. The chassis, designed by Harold Beach, was both simpler in design and more rigid than the prior car. At all four corners were four-wheel Dunlop (and later Girling) disc brakes. The Marek-designed DOHC straight-six engine displaced 3670cc and was constructed from aluminum. In standard tune, it offered 240 horsepower with its dual SU carburetors. The engine was backed by a new David Brown four-speed all-synchromesh unit.

Aston Martin did not officially distinguish between the various changes and versions of the DB4 during its production lifespan, however, enthusiasts have since grouped these cars into five cars. The Series I cars had a rear-hinged bonnet while the Series II were switched to front-hinged bonnets. Other changes included enlarged brake calipers, and a two-pint increase in oil capacity to help with high-speed overheating. The Series III cars had dual bonnet stays, an electric tachometer, and separate tail lamps on a polished aluminum plate. The Series IV cars had a four-speed gearbox with overdrive, a revised grille with seven fine vertical elements, a recessed tail lamp mounting, and a lower-profile hood scoop. The final fifth series cars were manufactured between September 1962 and June 1963 and came with a longer (by 3.5-inches) wheelbase which provided additional leg room and a larger boot, and a 15-inch wheelbase. Other features included a DB4GT-type instrument panel and an electric radiator fan.

The Series IV cars, introduced in September of 1961, arrived with a 'Special Series' (SS) or 'Vantage' engine available as optional equipment. The 'SS' had a 9.0:1 compression ratio, triple SU HD8 carburetors, larger valves, and developed 266 horsepower at 5,750 RPM. This was a gain of 26 horsepower over the standard unit. Nearly all DB4 Vantages received the faired-in headlights of the DB4GT. The original 'James Bond' car used in the filming of Goldfinger was a DB4 Series V, as its appearance was virtually identical to the DB5 which at that time was not ready.

The Touring-styled Aston Martin DB4 established a style and appearance that would persist, with only minor updates and revisions, until 1970. At the time of its launch in October of 1958, the DB4 was the first car of the David Brown era that neither used an engine designed at Lagonda under the direction of W.O. Bentley nor used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939. Additionally, it was the first Aston Martin to wear Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' coachwork. The styling was by Touring but the coachwork was actually built under license at Newport Pagnell by Aston Martin. The DB4 was the first production car capable of going from 0-100-0 mph in less than 30 seconds.

DB4GT Zagato
As the 1950s came to an end and the 1960s came into sight, Aston Martin was in an all-out fight for supremacy in the World Sport Championship. Every season brought out new, exciting, exceptional, and advanced vehicles, and the competition at the track was just as fierce in the showroom.

Aston Martin ended the 1950s with a 1-2 victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans with the DBR1, with the next four spots going to Ferrari. For the next season, Ferrari's aging 250 GT 'Tour de France' was updated with the SWB Berlinetta. Trying to hold back the onslaught of competitions-specification Berlinettas, Aston Martin introduced the DB4GT with coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato. The completed product was unveiled at the 1960 London Motor Show and many thought it was the coachbuilder's finest design, one that was instantly recognizable as both a Zagato and an Aston Martin. The front had a slightly elongated nose with a more pronounced grille, and the stance was more voluptuous and aggressive than the outgoing DB4GT. The taillights were set into the fenders, and the rear windshield grew as the C-pillars shrunk in size. Nearly 50 kilograms of weight were reduced while an additional 12 horsepower was added to the engine's output.

A total of 19 DB4 GTs were given coachwork by Zagato. They provided direct competition to Italy and the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlientta and the 250 GTO, and both marques would boast wins on the world's most competitive stages. In comparison to the 250 GTO which was also a handcrafted, aluminum bodywork design icon and engineering masterpiece, nearly half as many DB4 GT Zagatos were built, making them even more exclusive.

A total of seventy-five GTs were built, with an additional 19 being the Zagato bodied GTs. A single car was styled by Bertone and called the Bertone Jet.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019