Sunday 19 August 2018

Celebrating 60 years of the pivotal DB4


Aston Martin stunned the world when it first unveiled DB4 in 1958 and now, on its 60th anniversary, an exclusive display will take place at the Concours of Elegance, hosted at Hampton Court Palace, from the 31 August until 2 September 2018. 

Assembled by the Aston Martin Owners Club, the line-up will include a DB4 prototype, an example of DB4 Series 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 plus an original DB4 GT, DB4 GT Zagato and DB4 Bertone Jet. The newly launched DB4 GT Continuation will also form part of the display.


Joining this exquisite line-up will be the latest Aston Martin models to bear the famous David Brown badge including the DB11 Grand Tourer and the brand’s latest release, the DBS Superleggera. Although not a part of the DB bloodline, Aston Martin’s two-seater sports car Vantage and special edition Rapide AMR will also be at the Concours of Elegance, giving visitors a chance to see the famous marques most recent iterations.

Aston Martin president of the UK and South Africa, Phil Eaglesfield, said:
“Beauty, performance and quality are still central to Aston Martin’s ethos as a brand, something that was initiated by David Brown and something which we still exemplify. 

“We continue to produce cars with the famous DB initials and the DB11 Coupe, DB11 Volante and DBS Superleggera that exist on our current range carry the same characteristics as their predecessors. We create cars with genuine passion that sit side by side with the iconic vehicles of our past.”

DB4 was the first in the Aston Martin trilogy that included DB5 and DB6, a series of three magnificent cars that secured the brand’s position in the hall of automotive fame. Handcrafted at Aston Martin’s, Newport Pagnell facility, DB4 was the brand’s first true Grand Tourer.

It was an entirely new car with the platform chassis, disc brakes and 3.7-litre straight six-cylinder engine developed especially for the DB4, quite an achievement for a highly regarded but small British manufacturer.

The evolution of the DB4 was gradual but constant with each ‘Series’ categorising individual changes to design or engineering performance. In 1959, the DB4 GT was introduced following on from its DB4 GT prototype forefather, DP199, that was raced by Sir Stirling Moss at Silverstone winning its first ever outing at the BRDC race in 1959.

With bodywork made of thinner aluminum, the wheelbase reduced by 13cm, the engine tuned and the rear seats removed on all but a few examples, the DB4 GT enjoyed a long and distinguished career on the racing circuit.



The DB4 GT Zagato is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Each DB4 GT rolling chassis was sent over to the Zagato factory in Milan where it received a lightweight body designed by Ercole Spada, creating the distinctive design.

Raced at Le Mans, the factory only ever planned to produce 25 with only 19 cars completed. Due to its relative scarcity, the DB4 Zagato is considered one of the most desirable Aston Martins ever built.

Tickets to see the DB4 anniversary display at Concours of Elegance can be purchased from concoursofelegance.co.uk.


About Aston Martin Lagonda: 

Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs.  The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and graceful styling to produce pioneering models including the DB11, Rapide S, DBS Superleggera, Vantage and Vanquish Zagato. 

The Lagonda brand will relaunch in 2021 as the world’s first luxury electric vehicle company. Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 53 countries around the world.

Lagonda was founded in 1904 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown. Under the leadership of Dr Andy Palmer and a new management team, the Group launched its Second Century Plan in 2015 to deliver sustainable long-term growth.

The plan is underpinned by the introduction of new models including the DB11, new Vantage, DBS Superleggera and an SUV, as well as the development of a new manufacturing centre in St Athan, Wales.



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