Fashioned in the style of the legendary DB4GT Zagato, this is a no-expense-spared project designed to re-create one of the 1960s' most beautiful and desirable cars
The original collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato of Milan resulted in a production run of only 19 constructed between 1961 and 1963
We all know about their beauty and racing in the hands of Salvadori, Moss, Clarke and all
Hence the value of the real thing nowadays is into the heady tens of millions of pounds
Not surprisingly, all 19 are still present and correct
Under the auspices of the great Victor Gauntlett once again the factory entrusted Zagato to build a Sanction II / III series in the late eighties
These too are highly prized nowadays and command a high ticket price
Nevertheless, even these additional limited series come nowhere near meeting demand for the DB4GT Zagato and also their prohibitive cost (mentioned above) places them well out of the reach of all but the wealthiest enthusiasts
It is, therefore, not surprising that certain enterprising individuals have turned to converting original DB4s, DB5s and DB6s to Zagato-style coachwork
Ours is based on a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 sports saloon which was original supplied to Canada (original build records reflect this)
By the time of the late nineties an intrepid US collector in Scottsdale chose to construct the DB 4 saloon into a Zagato
He had the car shipped to Andy Palmer of Sun Valley California
Even now Andy's skills of panel beating are known to those who know - he has no website and had no need for one either
His 30 years of experience lead him to restore all sorts of things - even building Bugatti type 57 Super Sport Roadster from scratch which then was memorized in a Die Cast model
Full restorations on many Bentley Continental's and Rolls-Royce reflect the high regard in which he is held
We are lucky to have had him on the case for this Zagato creation and there are many photographs of the bodywork in bare aluminium back in the US prior to being painted
In 2005 our new chum in England heard of the sale of this car and flew immediately to Arizona to buy it
It is quite clear that the last two owners of this vehicle have enjoyed their tenure as it isn't many the DB4's with only 2 owners for the last 20 years or so
When our new chum arrived in Scottsdale, there was also an XJ220 in his garage too and he managed to buy this as well
A very successful visit, me thinks
Back home in England he registered the DB4 in the UK with the DVLA and chose to carry out some changes for his new toy
Side windows were out and perspex sliding windows installed, a new interior was chosen to his personal taste - a carbon copy of that which resides in 63 PH, the basis of which this Zagato follows in all areas
63 PH has many specific areas of individuality - rear wing line, fascia, seats and etc
The engine is a 4.0 unit from a DBS and has a single plug head for ease of use on the road - has been completely stripped with all new valves,, inlet and exhaust, valve springs and seats. New shells for the crankshaft which has been re-ground, new pistons & rings, new timing chain and head gasket and camshafts too
All in all a complete engine overhaul and all suspension, braking system, fuel system and electrics have been renewed as you would expect
The car is for road use specifically and even has power steering, bonnet / boot have gas struts always making life ease for a new owner
Our new chum had an MoT in 2009 with 219 miles on the odometer
He then chose to display her in his home (yes, home not garage) and now with only 223 miles on the odometer we have recommissioned her and a new MoT has been issued with out any advisories
Since when we sold her to a real enthusiast in Canada who asked us to convert her back to LHD
Upon her arrival he had her stripped again, repainted, retrimmed in those magnificent green hides, chromed window surrounds and also fitted a 5 speed gearbox and a 4.7 litre twin plug engine pushing out 395 bhp !!!
Oh yes and he also fitted air conditioning - as described by the team who did these works in Canada said
"Douglas has spared no expense transforming this car to its full potential. The car is truly spectacular and an absolute rocket to drive"
Well what's not to like - he has spent over $500.000 on these works, plus the car itself etc etc
Just in case you were wondering, the works in Canada were carried out by Richard & Nic Grenon at www.DrivingTheBest.com
Carrying out amazing restorations on Ferrari's and similar cars to Show Winning Quality
Well worth considering against the price of the real thing and also the cost of a DB4 donor vehicle and the time and cost to create a new version
Here she is then, ready to go right now and for all the world looking, sounding and driving like one of the original factory versions
