Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato was introduced in October 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was effectively a DB4 GT, lightened and improved by the Zagato factory in Italy
, by Ercole Spada
. Initially the factory had plans to produce 25 cars, but demand wasn't as strong as expected and production ceased at the 20th unit. Nowadays, due to the rarity and popularity of the DB4 GT Zagato, the cars are worth a considerable amount of money, and at auction they reach well in excess of £1 million.
The popularity of the original DB4 GT Zagato has resulted in two subsequent waves of cars based on DB4s being rendered into "Zagatos" through the cooperation of Aston Martin and the Zagato works in Italy. They are known as "Sanction II" and "Sanction III" cars. Also, an unauthorised but lucrative private industry of modifying original DB4 GTs into "Zagato" replicas has arisen as well to meet market demand for high-quality Zagato recreations.
The engine produced 314 hp (234 kW), a 0 to 60 mi/h acceleration of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of approximately 154 mph (246 km/h).
The first competition outing of a DB4 GT Zagato was during Easter in 1961 at Goodwood
. Driven by Stirling Moss
the car finished 3rd, behind an Aston Martin DB4GT and the winning Ferrari 250 GT.
The most prominent DB4 GT Zagatos, affectionately known by the registration plates they share, of '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' which were both raced under the John Ogier's Essex Racing Stable with assistance from the Aston Martin factory. Both the Zagatos raced in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans
. However a repeat of the 1959 Le Mans victory was not to be, with both cars retiring. In July 1961 at a British Grand Prix Support race the Zagato had its first victory. With '2 VEV' taking the last lap lead from a Jaguar E Type.
'2 VEV' crashed heavily at Spa in 1962 and was rebuilt to the lightweight DP209 specification. After a road accident in 1993 the car was returned to the 1962 specification.
Chassis 0200 raced in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
, however a blown piston after 9½ hours forced the car to retire.
in January 1989 and the fourth in April of the same year. With all four being completed in July 1991. All four cars were then given their own chassis numbers appropriate to the 1960s.
cars have been constructed based on DB4 and DB4 GT chassis. These 'replica' (or recreation) cars share a large resemblance to the original Zagatos, however have not been made by the Italian Zagato
company. Nonetheless, they still fetch a significant amount of money and are highly desirable.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, by Ercole Spada
Ercole Spada
Ercole Spada is an Italian automobile designer. His most notable designs were made in the 1960s, for the Zagato design studio house, where Spada was chief stylist...
. Initially the factory had plans to produce 25 cars, but demand wasn't as strong as expected and production ceased at the 20th unit. Nowadays, due to the rarity and popularity of the DB4 GT Zagato, the cars are worth a considerable amount of money, and at auction they reach well in excess of £1 million.
The popularity of the original DB4 GT Zagato has resulted in two subsequent waves of cars based on DB4s being rendered into "Zagatos" through the cooperation of Aston Martin and the Zagato works in Italy. They are known as "Sanction II" and "Sanction III" cars. Also, an unauthorised but lucrative private industry of modifying original DB4 GTs into "Zagato" replicas has arisen as well to meet market demand for high-quality Zagato recreations.
Engine
Although the specification of the engine was changed and upgraded throughout their racing history, the Zagato predominantly featured a 3.7 litre, aluminium, twin spark, straight 6 cylinder engine. With a more powerful 9.7:1 compression ratio when compared to the DB4 GT engine.The engine produced 314 hp (234 kW), a 0 to 60 mi/h acceleration of just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of approximately 154 mph (246 km/h).
Body
Ercole Spada at Zagato transformed the DB4 GT into a smaller, more aerodynamic, super lightweight car. Many steel components were replaced by aluminium counterparts. Basically all non-essential elements disappeared, such as the bumpers. With the help of Perspex and aluminium components, more than 100 pounds (45.4 kg) was shed off the DB4 GT.Racing history
Four of the original Zagato's, chassis' 0191, 0193, 0182(1 VEV) and 0183(2 VEV) were built to a lightened DP207/209 specification, especially for racing. The DP209 cars have a lower roofline, larger rear wings, a reshaped tail and flatter, longer front end.The first competition outing of a DB4 GT Zagato was during Easter in 1961 at Goodwood
Goodwood Circuit
Goodwood Circuit is an historic venue for both two- and four-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. The 2.4 mile circuit is situated near Chichester, West Sussex, close to the south coast of England, on the estate of Goodwood House, and completely encircles Chichester/Goodwood Airport...
. Driven by Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
the car finished 3rd, behind an Aston Martin DB4GT and the winning Ferrari 250 GT.
The most prominent DB4 GT Zagatos, affectionately known by the registration plates they share, of '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' which were both raced under the John Ogier's Essex Racing Stable with assistance from the Aston Martin factory. Both the Zagatos raced in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans
1961 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 29th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 10 and 11 1961. It was also the 4th round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
. However a repeat of the 1959 Le Mans victory was not to be, with both cars retiring. In July 1961 at a British Grand Prix Support race the Zagato had its first victory. With '2 VEV' taking the last lap lead from a Jaguar E Type.
'2 VEV' crashed heavily at Spa in 1962 and was rebuilt to the lightweight DP209 specification. After a road accident in 1993 the car was returned to the 1962 specification.
Chassis 0200 raced in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 30th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 23 and 24 1962. It was also the eighth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
, however a blown piston after 9½ hours forced the car to retire.
Sanction II Zagatos
In 1991, 4 unutilised chassis numbers were put to use. With the approval of Aston Martin, four DB4 chassis were appropriately uprated to GT specifications. These chassis were then sent to Zagato's Milan workshop to be bodied like the originals, with a smaller oval grille, sans the stock DB4 GT's rear tail fins, and with a smoothed out rear end. To familiarise the workforce with construction techniques of the 60's, an original DB4 GT Zagato was sent along to be dismantled. These 'Works Approved Replicas' were known as the Sanction II cars. They were outwardly identical, but several changes were effected in the interest of better handling. Each of these cars sold for over $1,000,000. Differences to the 'originals' include a larger engine capacity, increasing from 3.7 litres to 4.2 litres and a smaller wheel diameter from 16" inches to 15" inches. The first of the four GT specification rolling chassis was delivered to ZagatoZagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
in January 1989 and the fourth in April of the same year. With all four being completed in July 1991. All four cars were then given their own chassis numbers appropriate to the 1960s.
Comparison of Sanction I to Sanction II
| 1961 DB4GT Zagato | 1991 DB4GT Zagato Sanction II | |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Chassis A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the... |
Platform based on DB4GT | Platform based on DB4GT/0181/L |
| Wheelbase Wheelbase In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel... |
7 in 9 in (2,362.2 mm) | 7 in 9 in (2,362.2 mm) |
| Overall Length Length In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire... |
14 in 0 in (4,267.2 mm) | 13 foot |
| Width | 5 foot | 5 in 6 in (1,676.4 mm) |
| Height | 4 in 2 in (1,270 mm) | 4 in 2 in (1,270 mm) |
| Weight | ||
| Steering Steering Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course... |
Rack and pinion Rack and pinion A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby... |
Rack and pinion Rack and pinion A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby... |
| Front Suspension | IFS. Wishbones Double wishbone suspension In automobiles, a double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design using two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control... , coil spring Coil spring A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces... s and telescopic dampers Shock absorber A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:... Anti-roll bar |
As in 1961 car but adjustable and thicker anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | Live axle on coil spring Coil spring A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces... s, located by trailing arm Trailing arm thumb|220px|Trailing arm rear suspension of [[Front-engine, front-wheel drive layout|FF]] carsA trailing-arm suspension is an automobile suspension design in which one or more arms are connected between the axle and the chassis. It is usually used on rear axles... s ands Watt linkage Watt's linkage Watt's linkage is a type of mechanical linkage invented by James Watt in which the central moving point of the linkage is constrained to travel on an approximation to a straight line... |
As in 1961 car but improved location and adjustable |
| Brakes | Girling discs all round. No servo. Separate Master Cylinder Master cylinder The master cylinder is a control device that converts non-hydraulic pressure into hydraulic pressure, in order to move other device which are located at the other end of the hydraulic system, such as one or more slave cylinders... s |
All disc, no servo. Smaller rear caliper Caliper A caliper is a device used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. A caliper can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points... s altered brake balance Twin circuit |
| Wheels | 'Borrani Borrani Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s.... ' wire spoked with light alloy rims 16" inch diameter, 5" inch wide |
'Borrani Borrani Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s.... ' wire spoked with light alloy rims 15" inch diameter, 6" inch wide |
| Tyres | 6.00 x 16 'Avon Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a United States based company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of replacementautomobiles and truck tires, and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires... Turbospeed' Mark II |
205/70 15 'Goodyear Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery.... Eagle' NCT |
| Gearbox | David Brown David Brown Ltd. David Brown Engineering Limited is a British engineering company, principally engaged in the manufacture of gears and gearboxes. Their major gear manufacturing plant is in Swan Lane, Lockwood, Huddersfield, adjacent to Lockwood railway station... 4 speed manual, all syncromesh |
David Brown David Brown Ltd. David Brown Engineering Limited is a British engineering company, principally engaged in the manufacture of gears and gearboxes. Their major gear manufacturing plant is in Swan Lane, Lockwood, Huddersfield, adjacent to Lockwood railway station... 4 speed manual, all syncromesh |
| Final Drive | Hypoid bevel 3.31 to 1 'Powr-lok' LSD Limited slip differential A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity... |
Hypoid bevel 3.07 to 1 Limited Slip Differential (LSD Limited slip differential A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity... ) |
| Engine | All alloy straight six Double overhead camshaft (DOHC) Two plugs per cylinder |
All alloy straight six Double overhead camshaft (DOHC) Two plugs per cylinder |
| Capacity Volume Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space enclosed by some closed boundary, for example, the space that a substance or shape occupies or contains.... |
3,670 cc | 4,212 cc |
| Compression Compression ratio The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity... |
9.7 to 1 | 9.82 to 1 |
| Carburetors | Three 'Weber Weber carburetor Weber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as... ' 45 DCOE4 |
Three 'Weber Weber carburetor Weber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as... ' 50 DC01/SP |
| Max. power | 314 bhp at 6,000 rpm | 352 bhp at 6,000 rpm |
| Max. Torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... |
278 lbft at 5,400 rpm | 330 lbft at 4,600 rpm |
| 0-60 mi/h | 6.1 seconds | 5.5 seconds |
| 0-100 mi/h | 14.1 seconds | 12.2 seconds |
| Max. Speed | 153.5 mi/h | 153 mi/h |
| Production Numbers | 19 | 4 |
| Chassis Numbers | 0176-0191, 0193, 0199, 0200 | 0192, 0196, 0197, 0198 |
| Price (when New) | £5,470 (At the time, enough to buy a sizeable house) | (In excess of) $1,000,000 |
Sanction III Zagatos
The Zagato factory still had two spare body shells left over after producing the Sanction II Zagatos. In 1992 Richard Williams approached the executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda LTD, Walter Hayes and sought approval for the spare body shells to be used to create two further 'Sanction' cars. Walter Hayes gave his approval and the body shells along with two neglected Aston Martin DB4's (chassis' DB4/0334/R and DB4/0424/R) were completed into a pair of Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Sanction IIIs in 2000.Replicas
Due to the huge popularity, large price tag, great look and rarity of the DB4 GT Zagatos, many replicaReplica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
cars have been constructed based on DB4 and DB4 GT chassis. These 'replica' (or recreation) cars share a large resemblance to the original Zagatos, however have not been made by the Italian Zagato
Zagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
company. Nonetheless, they still fetch a significant amount of money and are highly desirable.
External links
- Aston Martin Heritage – Aston Martin website (Specification and photo)
- Aston Martins – Specification and photos
- Fast-Autos – Specification and photos
- Supercars.net- Specification and photos
- jalopnik.com – Jalopnik Fantasy Garage
- click-supercars.com- Specification and photos