1961 Aston Martin DB4GT

Powerful, refined and fully developed, the DB4 GT, believed to have been the 1960 Earls Court Motorshow car, we are proud to offer is one of just 75 production examples built by Aston Martin between 1959 and 1962.

Comprehensively developed and performance enhanced by renowned Aston Martin engineering specialists R. S. Williams Ltd, the specification of this superb driving example has been improved to give the ultimate in performance, delivering exceptional power with superb road holding and handling. In good all-round condition and sensational to drive, the RSW upgrades applied to this example include the engine having been rebuilt, in 2007, to 4.7 litre specification, delivering a recorded 365 bhp and 400 ft/lbs of torque. Driving through a rebuilt David Brown 4 speed gearbox, a rebuilt rear axle fitted with a taller axle ratio and limited slip differential, the combination gives a higher top speed and a more relaxed touring capability than factory standard. To match the significantly improved power and performance, the front suspension has been re-engineered with motor sport derived, lowered front roll centre components, fitted with Koni dampers and an uprated front anti-roll bar. Currently, fitted with extremely comfortable, fully trimmed Recaro Sports touring seats, the factory original front seats and fittings, are available for fitment when required.

With the RSW uprating works completed in 2007, chassis 0159/R has since covered circa 14,000 miles, mostly on AMOC European tours and participated in the 2005, AMOC organised Royal Review, being displayed and paraded to HRH Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle that year. Latterly, when not being regularly exercised, the car has been kept in ideal climate-controlled garaging.

Built and delivered in June 1961, finished in California Sage with White Gold hides. Early service history is recorded with Aston Martin from its delivery in 1961, through to 1967. Notations to the original build sheet and service records available, state the engine to have been changed after build, but importantly before delivery to its first owner. The build engine number 0164, being replaced with 0169, just 4 days prior to the new vehicle warranty being issued and the car delivered to first owner. The numbers matching engine, as currently fitted, remains 0169, as stated on the original build sheet.

Reputedly returned to the factory for overhaul in 1976 by then owner Hugh Steward, an Aston Martin representative in North America in period, the car remained in the UK until 1982, when purchased and privately raced that year at the Nurburgring Oldtimer, finishing 3rd overall. Bought back to the UK in 1985, the car was enjoyed by a succession of owners, before being prepared and sold by Nicholas Mee & Co in the late 1990’s to Canadian resident David Cohen. By 2002 and with ourselves once more for sale, Channel Islands resident Geoff Dorey purchased the car with the assistance of R S Williams Ltd. Subsequently, over the next 14 years of Dorey’s ownership the car was developed and maintained for Dorey by RSW, to its current impressive standard and specification, ideal for high speed tours and road events. Well recorded in the definitive Stephen Archer and Richard Candee authored book, The Aston Martin DB4GT, published by Palawan Press, DB4GT/0159’s ownership record includes a number of familiar and respected names, in the Aston Martin and historic sports car community.

Specifically built by Aston Martin with motorsport intentions, the DB4 GT was constructed on a lightened and shorter wheelbase DB4 derived chassis, fitted with a high performance variant of Tadek Marek’s renowned, all alloy 6 cylinder engine, built with a competition derived twin plug / dual ignition cylinder head and equipped with a triple set of 45 mm twin choke Webber carburettors and other unique features to the model. The DB4GT’s reputation, as one of the ultimate GT’s available in period, a car which could be raced on Sunday and driven to the office on Monday, needs little introduction. Of the 75 built, DB4GT’s now adorn significant historic and classic car collections, world-wide.

We are delighted to be offering this exceptionally potent and superb driving example for sale, from a private collection. Included with the car is a detailed leather-bound history file containing the factory build details, records of ownership history, servicing and maintenance records and invoices for the RSW upgrades and general maintenance. Further, included is a graphic engine dyno sheet and full record of the comprehensive works, all carried out by RSW’s renowned engineers.