Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
1960-1963 · Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato — Grand Tourer, Inline-6, designed by Ercole Spada (Zagato).
The Story
The DB4 GT Zagato is, for many, the most beautiful and valuable Aston Martin ever made. In 1960 the 23-year-old Ercole Spada at Milan’s Zagato reclothed the lightweight DB4 GT in a sensuous, minimalist alloy shell – 314 bhp, ~1,225 kg, and instant icon status. Only 19 were built.
The competition cars ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’ were raced by Jim Clark, Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland and Roy Salvadori. In 2018, ‘2 VEV’ sold for $13m (GBP 10.1m). Later factory-sanctioned ‘Sanction II/III’ cars added a handful more.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Ercole Spada (Zagato)
Italian master who, as Zagato’s chief stylist, made the DB4 GT Zagato (1960) his very first design. He went on to the Alfa TZ racers and later shaped BMW’s E32/E34 under Claus Luthe. Source: Wikipedia / Zagato.
Studio Motors POV
The most beautiful Aston ever made, full stop – and one of the most valuable cars in the world. The ultimate Aston-Zagato grail.
The Engine
Aston Martin Tadek Marek I6 (3.7-4.0)
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About DB4 GT Zagato
Worth Knowing About the DB4 GT Zagato
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. It was styled by Ercole Spada when he was just 23 – his very first car design.
- 2. The racing cars '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' were driven by Jim Clark, Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland and Roy Salvadori.
- 3. Only 19 originals were built; '2 VEV' sold for $13m (GBP 10.1m) at Bonhams – among the most valuable British cars ever auctioned.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. 1960-1963; 19 originals (+ later Sanction II/III).
- 2. 3.7 Tadek Marek six: 314 bhp; ~1,225 kg.
- 3. Designed by Ercole Spada (aged 23) at Zagato.
- 4. Raced by Clark, Moss, Ireland, Salvadori.
- 5. Often called the most beautiful – and valuable – Aston ever.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Documented racing drivers: Jim Clark, Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland, Roy Salvadori (1 VEV / 2 VEV works/Essex Racing cars). ‘2 VEV’ publicly sold for $13m (Bonhams, 2018).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
A 19-car blue-chip grail – chassis history and originality are everything (the VEV racers are priceless; Sanction II/III are factory-sanctioned later builds). Verify provenance through Aston/Zagato records. Not a car you find; a car you’re offered.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1960-1963
- Units built
- 19 originals (25 planned); Sanction II/III recreations later
- Variants
- Original 19 cars (1960-63); Sanction II/III recreations
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- Inline-6
- Engine family
- Aston Martin Tadek Marek I6 (3.7-4.0)
- Displacement
- 3,670 cc (3.7L) straight-six
- Power
- 314 hp
- Torque
- 278 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 6.1 s
- Top speed
- 154 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 256 hp/tonne · 8.6 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- RWD (front engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 2701 lb
Questions
DB4 GT Zagato FAQ
Who designed the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato body?
The DB4 GT Zagato’s body was designed by Ercole Spada at Zagato’s Milan studio when he was just 23 years old — it was his first automotive design. Spada employed a minimalist double-bubble roofline and lightweight alloy construction on the DB4 GT platform, producing a car now considered among the most beautiful ever made.
How many Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagatos were built?
Approximately 19 original Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagatos were built between 1960 and 1963, of 25 planned. Factory-sanctioned Sanction II and Sanction III continuation cars were added later, but the 19 originals — including the famous competition cars ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’ — remain the most historically significant and valuable.
What is an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato worth?
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato originals trade for approximately $8,000,000-$12,000,000 and above. The most prominent example, ‘2 VEV’ (chassis DB4GT/0183/R, the ex-Jim Clark racing car), sold for £10,081,500 including buyer’s premium at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in July 2018 — making it one of the most valuable British cars ever auctioned.
Who drove the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato in competition?
The two works-backed competition cars ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’ were raced in 1961-1962 by some of the era’s greatest drivers: Jim Clark (double Formula 1 World Champion), Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland, and Roy Salvadori. ‘2 VEV’ was driven extensively by Clark for the Essex Racing Stable.
Can you acquire an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato?
Acquisition requires specialist channels. Original DB4 GT Zagatos appear only rarely at auction or through private treaty, and when offered they are among the most sought-after lots on the calendar.
The Aston Martin Lineup
Explore every Aston Martin
DB4 GT Zagato ’60DB5 ’63DB6 ’65DBS (1967) ’67V8 ’69
Lagonda ’76V8 Vantage (1977) ’77
V8 Vantage (Supercharged) ’93DB7 ’94DB7 Vantage ’99
V12 Vanquish ’01DB9 ’04V8 Vantage (2005) ’05DBS (2007) ’07V12 Vantage (2009) ’09One-77 ’09
Rapide ’10Vanquish (2012) ’12V12 Zagato ’12V12 Vantage GT12 ’15DB11 ’16Vanquish Zagato ’16Vantage ’18DBS Superleggera ’18
DBX ’20Valkyrie ’21V12 Speedster ’21V12 Vantage (2022) ’22Valour ’23Vanquish (2024) ’24Valiant ’24Valhalla ’25
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