Original 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato could fetch AU$16 million at auction

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 07.09.2020

Unique and unrestored example of one of the most desirable road-going Astons ever

Aston Martin have been a pioneer of the modern phenomenon that is the ‘continuation’ car: an exacting reproduction of a classic vehicle utilising continuing and correct serial numbers and, essentially, expanding the pool of these ultra-limited and low-volume collectibles.

Last year, the covers were lifted on the reborn DB4 GT Zagato continuation; a centenary-celebration for the storied Italian coachbuilder which included a pair of new-old Astons (both a road and track-going version) for over AU$10 million. This one however isn’t a new one – it’s the real deal. And it’s predicted to fetch up to AU$16.36 million at Gooding & Company’s ‘Passion of a Lifetime’ auction.

As one of the most-desired road-going Aston ever, the DB4GT Zagato was - like many of today’s most in-demand classics – was a notoriously hard sell for Aston in its day.

Based on the short-chassis DB4GT, a production road-racer, of which 100 were to be built as required for homologation; the DB4GT Zagato debuted with lightweight aluminium coachwork by the Milanese coachbuilders in 1960. The idea was to build 23, however the bespoke coupes were hugely expensive (costing £5470 when new) and just 19 were built.

The manufacturing process was certainly not-uniform across those 19 cars, and each one was different.

This one is the only example finished in ‘Peony’, and was uniquely specified by its first owner Teddy Beck. Since Beck’s original ownership, the car has been through just four owners since, including Aston Martin Director, Victor Gauntlett, and famed collector Paul Vestey.

The current owner has cared for the ca since 1985, and has sympathetically brought the car’s original mileage up to an astounding 30,000 miles.

This particular specimen is also one of the most original examples of its kind, and one of the few that have never undergone a full restoration. Its engine is in numbers-correct specification and the car has won multiple awards at the world’s leading Concours d’Elegance.

For the Aston Martin fanatic, this is one of the marque’s holy grails, but if AU$16 million is a little hard to muster, there is an enthusiastic firm producing exacting and high-quality tributes right here in Melbourne!

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