The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Sports Car

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Image

from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

The DB4 sports car was launched at the 1958 London Motor Show as the two door Series 1.

Following its popularity, the lighter DB4 GT was launched in 1960, at the same venue, with a view to its appearance in the track.

This involved, primarily, reducing the DB4's wheelbase by 5 inches, and using thinner, lighter 18-gauge aluminium body panels, which subsequently reduced the curb weight to 1270 kg.

However, when it came to track performance, the DB4 GT fell well short of its stablemate, the DBR1, which won the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour race.

Consequently, Aston Martin then decided to approach the renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, which specialised in lightweight body construction.

The intention was to create a racer, based on the DB4 GT, that would be serious competition for the Ferrari 250 GT which was, at that time, in an unassailable position in the World Sportcar Championship.

Following agreement, the first chassis were shipped to Zagato in 1960 with the goal of producing 25 units of the new sports car, which was to be designated the DB4 GT Zagato.

The Zagato was both smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic than the DB4 GT.

By removing non-essential components, such as bumpers, substituting aluminium for as many steel components as possible, and using Perspex instead of glass, a further 45 kg was removed from the overall weight.

It used an aluminium alloy body on a chassis composed of steel and aluminium, to produce a curb weight of 1225 kg.

It was fitted with Girling hydraulic disc brakes, independent front suspension with a live axle at the rear, and 16 inch wheels.

A feature of the body styling was the addition of two bulges in the bonnet to allow for the protruding rocker covers.

However, once again, Aston Martin could not overcome the supremacy of Ferrari, with the DB4 Zagato no match for the Ferrari GTO.

Of the 19 Zagatos built when production ended in 1963, most were sold to privately entered race teams, although four were produced as road legal sports cars.

1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Seen during the Sprint Race at the 2015 Jefferson 500

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Image

1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato This classic racer was driven by Herb Wetanson during one of the Sprint Races at the 2015 Jefferson 500

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THE ENGINE

The Aston Martin DB4 GT

The DB4 GT was powered by a 3.7 litre, straight six, 12 valve, DOHC engine, with a 9.0:1 compression, three twin choke Weber carburettors, and two spark plugs per cylinder, that developed 302 bhp, and 270 ft/lbs of torque.

Linked to a four speed manual close ratio gearbox, this enabled it to reach a top speed of 152 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 secs.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

The Zagato was to be powered by a modified version of the engine used in the DB4 GT, that included raising the compression from 9.0 to 9.7:1, which duly developed 314 bhp at 6000 rpm, and 279 ft/lbs of torque at 5400 rpm.

This produced a top speed of 154 mph, with 0-60 mph in 6.1 secs.

Technical Data                DB4 GT Zagato DB4 GT DB4
Production 1960-1963           1959-1964     1958-1963
Engine, cc 3670                     3670 3670
Cylinders, bhp 6, 314                   6, 302 6, 240
Torque ft/lbs 279                       270                  240
Top Speed mph 154                       152                 141
0-60 mph, secs 6.1                         6.1                   8.5
0-100 mph, secs 14.1 - 21.0
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 14.5                       14.0 16.1

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COMPETITION

Comparable competitors to the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato included the following spots cars: Maserati Ghibli, Series 2 Jaguar E-Type, and Ferrari 250 GTO

Maserati Jaguar Ferrari
Technical Data DB4 GT Zagato Ghibli E-Type S2 250 GTO
Production 1960-1963 1967 1969 1963
Engine, cc 3670 4718 4235 2953
Cylinders, bhp 6, 314 12, 310 6, 265 12, 296
Torque ft/lbs 279 289 283 217
Top Speed mph 154 161 150 174
0-60 mph, secs 6.1 6.5 6.7 4.4
0-100 mph, secs 14.1 15.6 16.7 -
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 14.5 - 15.1 12.7