In the early 1960s, Aston Martin produced nine “lightweight” versions of the DB4. The cars, DB4 GTs, had aluminum coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring and were 200 pounds lighter than their steel-bodied cousins. They also had shortened wheelbases, lightened chassis, no rear seats, Borrani wire wheels and engines tuned to produce more than 300 horsepower.
The cars could sprint to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, reportedly were the first cars capable of doing 0-100-0 in less than 20 seconds, and had a top speed of more than 150 miles per hour.
One of those cars, a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight, will be offered for bidding, and with no reserve, at Bonhams Bond Street Sale scheduled for December 7 in London. The car’s pre-auction estimate is £2 million to £3 million ($2.588 million to $3.886 million).
The DB4 GT made its competitive debut in 1960 with the likes of Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori at the wheel.
The car on offer was originally owned by car collector and hillclimb racer Phil Scragg, who used a lowered axle ratio to run the car at Loton Park, Aintree and the Prescott hill climb. The car has had only two other owners since Scragg, according to Bonhams.
The car originally wore Wedgewood Blue paint but has been refinished in a shade called Elusive Blue.
“Incredibly, the black Connolly trim and carpets are original as are the lightweight interior trim panels,” Bonhams notes.
“Benefitting from an engine rebuild carried out by Aston Martin Works Service, including a conversion to 4.2 -liter capacity in 2007, this very special DB4 GT is eligible for the most prestigious historic motoring events around the world.”
“The originality of this car is breathtaking,” Aston Martin authority Stephen Archer is quoted in Bonhams announcement. “This has to be one of the greatest preservation opportunities of the century. There are not many Astons today where you can still see the maker’s hand in every aspect of the car.
“The DB4 GT was one of David Brown’s greatest cars; this is one of just nine at the very pinnacle of that achievement.”
For auction details, visit the Bonhams website.
