1961 | Aston Martin DB 4 GT Zagato

DB4GT/0148/R

Ex-Sir Max Aitken, Bobby Buchanan-Michaelson, Victor Gauntlett.

Ordered new by the Honourable Sir Max Aitken, 2nd Baron Beaverbrook (Canadian-British fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War, powerboat racer, and owner of the Daily Express Newspaper Group) in Goodwood Green and delivered in full DB4 GT specifications in 1961 - registering the car '418 UPE'. Aitken enjoyed his DB4 GT for over five years, before selling to Bobby Buchanan-Michaelson in 1967, who registered the car 'X 111'. He returned chassis 148 to the Aston Factory to have the bodywork modified to his unique specification, adjusting the rear to resemble the lines of a DB6 amongst other changes. The Aston Martin factory officially classified the car as DB4GT/0148/R “DB GT Special” – a unique classification, never given to another DB4 or DB4 GT.

Having remained in that form for some 30 years, it was eventually time for a restoration - with Richard Williams the obvious choice. Whilst at RSW it was decided that the car should be sent to Zagato in Italy to have a genuine body DB4 GT Zagato fitted. There are only two genuine DB4 GT’s that have ever been rebodied by the Zagato factory in Italy – chassis DB4 GT 0147/R (ex-Jackie Stewart racer) and DB4 GT 0148/R. By chance they were the two cars built next to each other at the factory.

Today the car has been returned to its stunning original 1961 colour of Goodwood Green with black leather, and retains its original matching engine and is in exacting DB4 GT Zagato specification throughout. Naturally, it is near perfection on the road - light and nimble handling combined with a lively and torquey semi-competition specification engine.

The fantastic history files contain a huge amount of documentation to support this very special car and its unique and continuous history.