1960 DB4GT Saloon

The 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT we are delighted to present is an exceptional example of one of the marque’s most coveted models. Finished exactly as it left the factory in October 1960, in Aston Martin Sea Green over VM3253 Connolly Green hide upholstery, the car was originally supplied to a garage proprietor based in North Wales. Benefiting from an outstanding provenance, an exceptional history file, and a world-class restoration completed in 2015, this DB4 GT has covered only minimal mileage since restoration and remains in truly superb condition throughout. Introduced in 1959, the DB4 GT was Aston Martin’s high-performance competition derivative of the standard DB4. Engineered specifically with motorsport in mind, the model featured a shortened wheelbase, lightweight chassis construction, thinner-18 gauge aluminium body panels, and a more powerful version of the legendary Tadek Marek-designed six-cylinder engine. The DB4 GT made its public debut at the 1959 London Motor Show, and shortly thereafter the prototype car, DP199, achieved immediate success when Sir Stirling Moss drove it to victory at Silverstone, setting a lap record in the process. Production of the DB4 GT concluded in 1963, by which time only 75 examples had been built. These rare and highly desirable cars appealed to enthusiast owners and serious amateur racers alike, many of whom famously raced them on weekends before driving them to work during the week. This particular DB4 GT was delivered new in October 1960 to John Wilkinson, an enthusiast and garage owner from Wales. It was specified in the elegant and highly appropriate colour combination of Sea Green with House of Commons Green Connolly VM3253 leather interior. The car was maintained by Aston Martin’s factory service department at Newport Pagnell before passing through two further owners between 1968 and 1973. In 1973, the car entered the ownership of Simon Phillips, a respected UK collector and accomplished racing driver whose motorsport career included multiple appearances at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Between 1978 and 1988 the DB4 GT spent a period in Australia before being acquired in 1994 by Nicholas Mee & Co from Scotland’s Glenvarigill Motor Company. It was subsequently sold to renowned Belgian collector and historic racer Hubert Fabri. Under Fabri’s ownership, the car was actively campaigned in some of the world’s premier historic motorsport events, including the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, and the Goodwood Revival. During this period, distinguished drivers associated with the car included both Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham, who competed in Goodwood Tourist Trophy races aboard this DB4 GT. In 2003, the car was acquired by Lord Drayson, the noted businessman, Aston Martin Le Mans team owner, and accomplished racing driver. During his ownership, the DB4 GT continued to compete at the highest levels of historic motorsport, appearing at major venues such as Goodwood Revival, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, and Donington Park. Having retired from competitive use by 2013, the car was then purchased by a prominent London-based collector with the intention of commissioning a restoration to the highest possible standards. The brief to the restoration team was uncompromising: to achieve a “100-point” concours-standard restoration to the car’s original factory specification. The work was entrusted to the highly respected specialists at Bodylines and Spray-tec Restorations, together with leading Aston Martin engineers and marque experts. The restoration was completed in 2015. The result is a restoration of extraordinary quality, extensively documented through invoices, correspondence, and detailed photographic records, all of which form part of the car’s comprehensive history file. Since completion, the car has covered just over 3,600 miles and has been displayed selectively at prestigious concours events, most notably at the 2020 Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace, where it was awarded the coveted Duke of Marlborough Award. In more recent years, the car has been sold, serviced, and maintained by renowned Aston Martin Specialists and is also featured in the definitive DB4 GT publication produced by Palawan Press. The car is currently presented without its front and rear bumpers, fitted instead with bespoke colour-coded bumper bungs for a cleaner aesthetic appearance. The original bumpers accompany the car and remain in immaculate condition. Accompanying the sale is a substantial and comprehensive history file, together with the Palawan Press DB4 GT publication. Fully serviced and meticulously prepared, this outstanding DB4 GT is ready either for continued concours presentation at the highest level or for enjoyment on the open road. • One of just 75 production Aston Martin DB4 GTs built between 1959 and 1963, representing one of the rarest and most coveted competition-derived Aston Martins ever produced. • Subject to a meticulous body-off restoration completed in 2015 by renowned UK Aston Martin specialists, restored to uncompromising concours standards and returned to its original factory specification throughout. • The restoration is comprehensively documented with detailed invoices, correspondence, and extensive photographic records forming part of the car’s exceptional accompanying history file. • Presented in its original and highly elegant factory colour combination of Aston Martin Sea Green over Connolly VM3253 House of Commons Green hide upholstery, exactly as specified when delivered new in October 1960. • Featured in the definitive publication The Aston Martin DB4 GT, published by Palawan Press in 2016, further reinforcing the significance and provenance of this exceptional example. • Campaigned in period and historic motorsport by an extraordinary roster of distinguished drivers including Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham, Runo Aaltonen, and Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner. • Awarded concours honours at the prestigious 2020 Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace, where the car received class-winning recognition for its outstanding presentation and authenticity. • Accompanied by an extensive history file together with its handbook, awards, tool roll, jack, copper hammer, bespoke indoor car cover, and original bumpers, all presented in exceptional condition. More Information available on Request