Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, originally uploaded by Jojo Cence.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato was introduced in 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was effectively a DB4 GT improved by the Zagato factory in Italy, by Ercole Spada. The Zagato's engine produced 314 hp, a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 154 mph (246 km/h). Initially the factory had plans to produce 25 cars, but demand wasn't as strong as expected and production ceased at the 24th unit. Nowadays the car sells for over £3,500,000.

The DB4 GT Zagato was raced in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans race by such famous names as Roy Salvadori and Jim Clark.

In 1991, 4 unutilised chassis numbers were put to use. With the approval of Aston Martin, four DB4 chassis were appropriately uprated to GT specifications. The chassis were then sent to Zagato's Milan workshop to be bodied. To familiarize the workforce with construction techniques of the 60's, an original DB4 GT Zagato was sent along to be dismantled. These cars were known as the Sanction II cars. They were outwardly identical, but several changes were effected in the interest of better handling. Each of these cars sold for over $1,000,000.