As some readers are undoubtedly aware: The DB4 is the favorite series of all Aston Martins for me.
The DB4 is attractive to me as it is complicated to understand and what we like most- a connoisseur is most likely to chose a DB4 than a DB5. Just when we thought we knew all the variations of the DB4, we discovered something new. Bonhams will offer this February a very rare DB4.
The most sought after and valuable DB4 are the DB4 Zagato followed by the DB4 GT. Then comes a DB4 vantage that is also pretty rare (vantage meaning the 3 SU Carbs with the special SS engine -adding an extra 20-25 hp). Next comes a closed headlight series IV car with the shorter wheelbase than the series V. Or so we thought.
You see the Aston Martin being auctioned by Bonhams is special. It’s a hybrid between a DB4 GT and a DB4 series IV normal car. Confused? So were we. Let us explain.
The Bonhams car is one of only 3 original left hand drive ‘series 4′ versions with the GT engine.
Remember in our original Aston Martin DB4 post-see here– we explained that the DB4 was divided into five series. The DB4 car above offered at Bonhams is a series IV car with an important exception: It carries the engine found in the DB GT. The DB4 GT is essentially a competition SWB car creating for better competing with the likes of the Ferrari 250 SWB. This means twin plug cylinder engine with triple Weber carburetors producing 300hp rather than the standard 240hp.
This car also has the GT instrument panel layout as well as the two outside fuel caps which are standard on a DB4 GT (see picture below). As far as the chassis is concerned, the car above shares little else with the DB4 GT. The chassis thus wheelbase is a little longer (DB4 GTs were 5inches or 13cm shorter) and the car carries open headlights as opposed to covered headlights normally found on the DB4 GT. Additionally the DB4 GT had rear and quarter windows made of Plexiglas to save weight (which is not the case with the car above).
For collectors who cannot afford a DB4 GT (which today will trade for USD 2.5m) they now can buy a road car with a GT engine for an estimated USD 850′ooo (Bonhams estimate is €58o-68o’ooo). The car is certainly rare, pure (with open headlights) and fast. For more details on the car click here.
Only the refined connoisseur will be able to tell DB4 GTs from ordinary DB4s. Here are three ways to tell the difference.
- 3 weber carbs instead of the standard two SU carbs or 3 SU carbs
- Two outside fuel caps on each side for fast refueling while racing
- 5 round instrument panel (resembling the DB4 GT dashboard layout) with RPM to 7′ooo, versus standard 6′ooo
