When Aston Martin built the DB4 GT Zagato in 1960 they planned to make 25 cars but only 19 were actually built. They cost £5,470 each in 1961 – twice the price of the average house. Designed by the then 23 years old Ercole Spada, each of these original DB4 Zagatos had a huge hood scoop, which distinguished the model, was hiding a potent version of the inline-6 that used triple Weber carburetors, twin-spark ignition, high lift camshafts and a 9:1 compression ratio raise power output to 302 bhp. 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.Top speed could reach 246 kph/ 154 mph.
In 1991 Aston Martin sanctioned the building of four more Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato cars from four unused DB4 chassis from 1960s. They were called Sanction II DB4 GT Zagatos. There were a few modifications from the original spec – bigger engine (from 3.7 litres to 4.2 litres) producing 352 bhp (some 50 horsepower more than the 1960s originals), different carbs, better brakes and Goodyear tyres – they were, in effect, almost perfect replicas of the original cars and a continuation of Aston Martin’s original production run. Each of these cars sold for over $1M.
In 1991 Aston Martin sanctioned the building of four more Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato cars from four unused DB4 chassis from 1960s. They were called Sanction II DB4 GT Zagatos. There were a few modifications from the original spec – bigger engine (from 3.7 litres to 4.2 litres) producing 352 bhp (some 50 horsepower more than the 1960s originals), different carbs, better brakes and Goodyear tyres – they were, in effect, almost perfect replicas of the original cars and a continuation of Aston Martin’s original production run. Each of these cars sold for over $1M.
In 2001, Aston Martin used the remaining two unused DB4 chassis to build the Sanction III DB4 GT Zagatos. These cars are heavier than the original cars, don’t carry the same factory kudos as the Sanction II cars, and sell for far less. (supercars.net)
Sanction II DB4 GT Zagatos (1991)
supercars.net, classicdriver.com & carsuk.net)
