Lot 245: 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT

It was not until 1958 that Aston Martin made the first all-new car of the David Brown era. The DB4 was built on a new chassis (coils and double wishbones at the front, coils and a live axle at the rear) and featured a new dohc 3.7 litre straight six which delivered its 240bhp through a new four-speed gearbox. Touring of Milan contributed the body style and its Superleggera style of construction with aluminium panels on a thin tubular framework. Top speed was claimed to be 141mph; 0-60 could be covered in 8.5 seconds and, thanks to four wheel disc brakes, it was quicker from rest to the ton and back to rest, than any other production car in the world. It was a desirable motor car, but in May, 1959, Aston Martin revealed an improvement. In a supporting race on the card for the International Trophy Meeting at Silverstone Stirling Moss appeared in the prototype of the DB4 GT. This had a shorter (by five inches) wheelbase, two seats only, a lower roof line, faired in headlights and 302bhp. As a smaller car and in order to save weight, it was lighter than the standard DB4 using thinner gauge aluminium but after the highly-publicised debut by Moss (who won his race at a canter) it was not pressed as a competition car. As a road car, the DB4 GT was in a class of its own however; it had a top speed of 153mph and could sprint from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds. It featured twin plugs heads using two distributors (that's twelve sparkplugs in total) and triple twin choke 45 DCOE4 or 9 Weber carburettors plus a 9:1 compression ratio. Power output was claimed at 302 bhp at 6000 rpm, a useful increase from the claimed 240 bhp of the standard car. A single large fuel tank was fitted (although some cars had twin tanks in the wings) and quick release filler caps are situated on each side. GT's were also fitted with spectacular lightweight Italian Borrani wheels; 42 spokes with light alloy rims. Here was a road car that was competition ready.Today's emotive example was the third last non-Zagato bodied DB4 GT ever built and the penultimate example of the 27 lefthand drive cars, originally sold directly to a Canadian customer in May of 1962. It was specified with wing fuel tanks and because it was so late in the production run, featured the shallower hood scoop and DB5 style tail lamps. After a No.5 main bearing problem in the 1970's, it was laid up for about 18 years. In 1988, during the boom in collector car values, Robert Bodin of Minneapolis acquired it for around US$700,000 in average condition. At that time, a staggering US$800,000 was spent on the restoration costs. Bodin had, amongst other automotive interests, a restoration facility called "World Ferrari", subsequently "World Auto" and had spent some US$120,000 in restoration expenses. A few years later Howard Cohen in California purchased the car from Bodin who was looking to sell the car. The car was 80% restored. Cohen spent an additional US$45,000 to correctly complete the restoration and race preparation. A renowned Aston Martin engine builder completely sorted the engine (which, of course, is original) and fitted special pistons and liners allowing an estimated real 300bhp. The front and the rear suspension was renewed using parts from the world renowned Aston Martin specialist, R.S. Williams of Pro-Tech of Surrey, England formally the head of racing for the Aston Martin factory. It, remained there for most of its life until the early 1990's California. The car was then purchased in 1993 by the vendor, the original number plates, from when the car was new, are still fitted to the car. Since then, the car has covered only minimal mileage to keep it in running order and exercise the engine, gearbox, brakes and fuel system. It is described by the vendor as in perfect working order. It is also worth noting that the Aston has been stored in a heated, dehumidified and dark garage during its time off the road and when stretching its legs, sits on period Dunlop racing tyres and only used on dry roads in good weather since the restoration. It is rare that these specialist motorcars come onto the market and so time should be taken to consider this, one of the finest example we have had the pleasure to present, and to ponder when indeed another may come along.L'un des derniers models non Zagato carrosserie DB4 GT, parmis les 27 conduites a gauche constuits, elle a été entirement restaurée par le spécialiste Aston Martin de l'époque en Californie, son deuxieme propriétaire dépensa plus de $ 8 00 000 de travaux. Son troisieme et actuel proprietaire l'acheta en 1994. Depuis 1994, le voiture ne roula que quelques dizaines de kilometres pour la maintenir en ordre de marche. Elle a toujours été garée dans un endroit chauffé, bachée et l'abri de la lumiere,Elle est chaussée de pneus Dunlop Racing d'époque. Elle est décrite par son actuel proprietaire comme étant dans des conditions exceptionelles.