1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Sold At London Auction
The David Brown era of Aston Martin’s history was marked by rapid expansion, much success and the introduction of many cars to the market one of those being the DB4. The DB4 ran from 1958 to 1963 and its run was overlapped by the debut of the DB4GT, the high performance version of the DB4, at the London 1959 London Motor Show. The DB4GT was based on the race-winning prototype DP199/1.
The DB4GT was made shorter, lighter and more powerful than the DB4 by making the bodywork thinner, reducing the wheelbase by about 5 inches, and removing the rear seats on most of the cars except for a select few; Aston Martin was able to shave 200 pounds off the DB4.
The engine also underwent extensive modifications which led to the DB4GT being regarded as the “most powerful British car of its era”. The horsepower increased from 240 to 302 at 6,000 rpm on a 3.7 liter inline six-cylinder engine with four-speed manual transmission. Maximum speed was around 153-mph with a 0-60-mph sprint in 6.1 seconds. With performance figures like these, Ferrari’s dominance in GT racing was effectively challenged and the DB4GT received well deserved acclaim in the hands of racing greats like Stirling Moss and Roy Salvadori.
The DB4GT was produced between 1959 and 1963 and only 75 were built. The DB4GT auctioned, chassis 0126/R, has never undergone a complete restoration but received an engine rebuild to a 4.2-litre unleaded specification, a factory refurbishment and suspension upgrades. In essence much of its original character is still evident and classically Aston.
The history of this DB4GT is extensively documented and was auctioned along with an original gold embossed leather-bound owner’s handbook, original tool roll with later tools, jack and Thor hammer and a period factory brochure introducing the owner to the DB4GT. It was the highest sale of the day for Sotheby’s on September 7th 2016. The new owner left Sotheby’s with $3,226,720 in exchange for an exquisite example of Aston Martin’s history.
