Photo: Aston Martin
Probably inspired by what Jaguar did with the Lightweight E-Type and XKSS, Aston Martin took to its Works division to manufacture a continuation series of the DB4 GT. 25 track-only vehicles will be made, at a price of at least £1.5 million per unit.
As one of the most revered Aston Martin racing cars of all time, the DB4 GT was a more performance-oriented take on the road-going DB4. The original model was introduced in 1959, with 75 units built until 1963. Only eight were lightweight-spec cars. And a good one of those sells for £3 million these days.
“Aston Martin has a rich and vibrant heritage, as you’d expect from a company that has been building some of the world’s finest sports cars for 103-years," said Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin's CEO. “I’m thrilled we have the imagination and capability to offer 25 enthusiasts the unique opportunity to commission their own piece of Aston Martin history,” he concluded.
The cars will wear their authenticity on their sleeves thanks to thin-gauge aluminum panels, a tubular frame, and hand-finished details. The historic plant at Newport Pagnell will go online back again for the DB4 GT Continuation, a decade after the first-gen Vanquish S ended production there. What’s more, the DB4 GT Continuation will carry on VINs from the final original DB4 GT from 1963, a vehicle gifted with chassis number 0202R.
Under the hood, Aston Martin will shoehorn a carbureted straight-6 inspired by the Tadek Marek-designed 3.7-liter engine from days gone by. The supplier that manufactures the DB11’s 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 will design all-new castings for the DB4 GT Continuation, as faithful as possible to the original engine’s blueprints. Projected output? 340 horsepower channeled to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Modern amenities are in the offing as well, mind you, but don’t expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, look forward to an FIA-spec roll cage, race-ready seat belts, and a fire suppression system. Weight, meanwhile, will stand at almost 2,700 pounds, making it lighter than a Kia Cee’d 1.4.
Those lucky 25 people who will spend their cash on the DB4 GT Continuation series will start getting their cars in the latter half of 2017. Buyers are also offered the chance to take part in a two-year international driving program, which will see them and their cars visit places like the Yas Marina Circuit.
“Aston Martin has a rich and vibrant heritage, as you’d expect from a company that has been building some of the world’s finest sports cars for 103-years," said Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin's CEO. “I’m thrilled we have the imagination and capability to offer 25 enthusiasts the unique opportunity to commission their own piece of Aston Martin history,” he concluded.
The cars will wear their authenticity on their sleeves thanks to thin-gauge aluminum panels, a tubular frame, and hand-finished details. The historic plant at Newport Pagnell will go online back again for the DB4 GT Continuation, a decade after the first-gen Vanquish S ended production there. What’s more, the DB4 GT Continuation will carry on VINs from the final original DB4 GT from 1963, a vehicle gifted with chassis number 0202R.
Under the hood, Aston Martin will shoehorn a carbureted straight-6 inspired by the Tadek Marek-designed 3.7-liter engine from days gone by. The supplier that manufactures the DB11’s 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 will design all-new castings for the DB4 GT Continuation, as faithful as possible to the original engine’s blueprints. Projected output? 340 horsepower channeled to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Modern amenities are in the offing as well, mind you, but don’t expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, look forward to an FIA-spec roll cage, race-ready seat belts, and a fire suppression system. Weight, meanwhile, will stand at almost 2,700 pounds, making it lighter than a Kia Cee’d 1.4.
Those lucky 25 people who will spend their cash on the DB4 GT Continuation series will start getting their cars in the latter half of 2017. Buyers are also offered the chance to take part in a two-year international driving program, which will see them and their cars visit places like the Yas Marina Circuit.
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