Aston Martin Reveals First Body of the Revived DB4 GT Zagato

Britisch carmaker Aston Martin announced its plans to bring back the iconic DB4 GT Zagato last fall as part of a continuation series to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Italian carrozzeria Zagato. The project began at the manufacturer’s Heritage Division at its Newport Pagnell facility and now the first body has been revealed.

The Heritage Division, is the largest, best equipped and most knowledgeable Aston Martin restoration centre in the world, the invaluable and highly specialist skills nurtured at Aston Martin Works are perfectly suited to the brand’s celebrated Continuation projects.

Built to race against the might of Ferrari in the 1960’s, the DB4 GT Zagato was a thoroughbred machine. Evolved for the rigours of motor racing and blessed with a rare and incontestable beauty, just 19 were built. Drawing on the unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the team at Aston Martin Works the 2019 DB4 GT Zagato Continuations are to be meticulously crafted, staying true to those original Zagato-bodied DB4 GTs produced by Aston Martin and Zagato in the 1960’s.

We are bringing all of our hand-craftsmanship and expertise to bear in building these nineteen Continuation cars, sympathetically incorporating the very latest engineering advancements and performance enhancements, but remaining true to the purity and authenticity of the original design.

Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works

Each of the 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars is being built at Aston Martin Works to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.

Beneath the Continuation cars’ bonnet will sit a version of the celebrated Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its circa 380 bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, for an authentic and unforgettable driving experience.

This latest continuation car follows the success of the 25 DB4 GT Continuation models that sold to enthusiast collectors in 2017, and precedes what will perhaps be the most ambitious continuation to date: the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition cars that will come to market in 2020.

The Aston Martin DBZ Century Collection will be priced at £6m plus taxes. First deliveries to customers will commence in the third quarter of this year with the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and in fourth quarter 2020 for the DBS GT Zagato.

Come into the beautiful world of Aston Martin.

 

 

 

 

Very rare preproduction Aston Martin DB4 hits the market

London based Hexagon Classics are delighted to offer none other than the R.S Williams’ own Aston Martin DB4, which as one can imagine, has not wanted for anything. This was just the third right-hand drive DB4 ever produced on the line at Newport Pagnell.

This Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 must be one of the most unique Aston Martins on offer today. It also provides wonderful value especially when compared to the prices regularly achieved by DB4 GT models. This model later served as the initial inspiration for the DB5, which many should recognize as James Bond’s car Goldfinger.  

The lightweight Superleggera (tube-frame) body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan, and its Continental looks caused a sensation on its unveiling at the 1958 London Motor Show. Although the design and construction techniques were Italian, the DB4 was the first Aston Martin to be built at the company’s Newport Pagnell works in Buckinghamshire, England.

The exquisite aluminium bodywork was styled by the Italian Carrozzeria bur utilizing under licence their famed Superleggera lightweight structure. The first 50 cars had no over-riders, and frameless side windows. The DB4 has long been regarded by enthusiasts as the purists’ example, with its wonderful proportions and nimble handling.

Aston Martin registered the car as their London demonstration model, and then supplied it to its first owner Dolcis Ltd, Great Dover Street London, W1.  R.S Williams opted to upgrade the DB4 interior to the DB6 specification, converted the car to run on Vantage triple Weber set-up, and added the flared front and rear wheel arches to accommodate the larger offset wire wheels.

This vehicle successfully competed in hill climb events, and its successes were legendary. It is the epitome of fast road specification. After eventually selling the DB4, Richard Williams continued to look after the car for its new owners,

Hexagon Classics have recently undertaken a full recommissioning of the DB4 by Aston Martin marque specialists’ Pugsley & Lewis and Prestige Restorations, at a cost of more than £222,000 (approximately $300,000 USD). The details of which included having its engine rebuilt to 4.2 litre specification, and unleaded fuel conversion.

Naturally, this rare and highly sought after DB4 is complete with a comprehensive history file, ownership records, factory build sheet, historic MOT’s and V5s, including the original buff log book copy and a BMIHT record. Its provenance and near concours condition make this one of the finest examples of its kind.

The DB4 Series 1 also retains its original registration number of WLC 433. This important car which has now returned to its former glory, is available to be enjoyed straight away.

This rare Blu Scozia can be yours if you can foot the bill. It’s available to view now at their London showrooms. Come into the beautiful world of Hexagon Classics.

Ex-Sadruddin Aga Khan Aston Martin DB5 for sale

The Aston Martin DB5 is an icon and a perfect example of superlative design – by Italian coachbuilder Touring. Hexagon Classics is proud to offer for sale a stunning DB5, previously owned by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and and presented in fully restored condition.

Back in the day, the DB5 appealed to Hollywood actors, business magnates, and royalty. Arguably the most famous and loved Aston Martin ever made, the DB5 is one of the most desirable classic cars in the world. Over the years, it has made several starring roles in movies, its screen debut being in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

Supplied new on 7^th February 1964 by official Aston Martin agents Mill Car Garages of County Durham to Levey’s Wallpaper Stores of Walstead, Northumberland, the DB5 at Hexagon Classics was ordered by a Mr D Levey who specified the colour of Goodwood Green.

In 1986 chassis number DB5/1406/4 was bought by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan for his personal use in Switzerland. At the point of export, His Highness commissioned a detailed restoration. The Aga Khan held ownership of the DB5 until February 1998 when he sold it to another Geneva resident who kept the vehicle for some 16 years until it was acquired by Hexagon Classics in 2015.

Since then, it has undergone a complete restoration that has included a full repaint in the originally manufactured colour of Goodwood Green and an interior re-trim in the original colour option of Connolly Leather Natural Hide. This re-trim has also included new, period-correct Beige Wilton carpets.

Under the skin, the DB5’s 4.0-litre straight-six-cylinder engine has had a mechanical refurbishment completed by Aston Martin specialists, Pugsley & Lewis Ltd, according to Hexagon. Quite what this refurbishment entails hasn’t been detailed, but we are assured that it is now capable of running on unleaded fuel (how modern!), and it also gets a new clutch, some new Avon Radial tyres, and new 15in Chromium wire wheels.

Further features include an engine compartment & vehicle underside prepared to concours standards. Which means it’s probably got somewhere close to the 282bhp and 280lb ft of torque Aston claimed it had in 1964. So equipped, it could deal with the 0-60mph sprint in 7.1secs, and rock on to a top speed of 142mph. But it’d be rude to do it in a car of such grandeur.

Accompanying this car is a comprehensive service history file which includes the Factory Build Sheet and all works invoices detailing the 1986 restoration and those just completed. The documentation also includes a 1964 Aston Martin Factory Brochure, Aston Martin DB5 Owner’s Manual and original factory jack among other items. The car will be sold with a full MOT and 12-month warranty.

This is, without doub,t one of the finest Aston Martin DB5s currently on sale anywhere in the world. Not only has it been the subject of a meticulous restoration but it also has a very prestigious previous owner. DB5s in such condition and with such provenance are very rare indeed. This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase an outstanding example of a true British motoring icon.

Paul Michaels, chairman of Hexagon Classics

But as it’s often the case with classic cars from this era, DB5s aren’t cheap at all. This specimen is priced at £799,995, a bundle of pounds sterling that translates to just over $1 million at current exchange rates. It’s a very beautiful thing, though; miles prettier than Aston’s present-day model. 

Sadruddin Aga Khan’s former Aston Martin DB5 is available to view now at Hexagon Classics’ flagship showroom in north London. Come into the beautiful world of Hexagon Classics.