Saturday 10th December 2016

Aston Martin DB4 GT continuation

Aston Martin joins the historic revival business with a limited run of 25 track-only DB4 GTs

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Though still based on the same Gaydon site Aston Martin no longer has access to the Jaguar Land Rover test track the other side of the fence. Perhaps though they still peer over it on occasion and, one imagines, having seen someone shaking down 'continuation' E-Type Lightweights or a 'new original' XKSS thought 'we'll have a piece of that'.

To all the youngsters THIS is drifting

Certainly the temptation to build from scratch limited numbers of iconic classics and sell them for seven-figure prices to collectors as factory built cars is one facing a number of brands since Jaguar took advantage of the lost serial numbers to 'resume' production. These cars have successfully publicised JLR's new classic operation and demonstrated the skills of its engineers; debates will rage about the morals of doing so and provenance of the cars that result but so long as the numbers are limited the PR value seems worth upsetting a few purists.

So to Aston Martin, which has announced a 25-car (re)production run of the iconic DB4 GT, the short-wheelbase version of the DB4 raced to success by Stirling Moss and others after its debut in 1959. 75 cars were built in period, eight of which were to the lightweight spec that inspires the 'new' car. It will be built at the Newport Pagnell facility, home to the Aston Martin Works heritage department and reviving car production on site for the first time since 2007. Again, a perfect way to showcase the kind of work that can be carried out by the centre, which also restored boss Andy Palmer's rather lovely Vantage not so long ago.

Racing success reflected in track-only spec

Picking up from chassis #0202R - the last DB4 GT built in the original run - the cars are continuations built to the same specification as the original, meaning lightweight aluminium bodywork over a tubular frame and powered by a 340hp, 3.7-litre, twin-plug version of the Tadek Marek straight-six. This drives through a manual four-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential, the shortened wheelbase making it a more agile and manoeuvrable car than the standard DB4. Aston Martin admits the continuation cars will "benefit from improvements in engine performance, handling, braking and safety" and, though hand finished "in time-honoured tradition", use modern digital technology to improve the fit and finish of panels.

The extent of these modern influences will, no doubt, inspire much muttering into beards but Aston Martin clearly wants the cars to be enjoyed, albeit only on track. To that end they've put together a two-year driving package based at tracks around the world and including Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Significant that this is the only circuit mentioned by name in the press release? Possibly but the general set-up seemingly follows a similar format to that offered with the (also track only) Vulcan, with input from Aston Martin works drivers to help owners get the most out of their cars.

So who next? Will Ferrari start going through the blueprints stored in its Classiche department and build a few more 250 GTOs? Can Porsche resist the temptation to restart 2.7 RS production or knock out a few more original 911 Rs? With the values of originals consigning many to a life as static exhibits and a new generation of cash-rich buyers seemingly less hung up on period originality the temptation will be hard to resist for many.

[RichB]

Yas Marina that famous track so often frequented by DB4GTs back in the day...

[RichB]

MIDangerfield said:

So presumably as they're calling it a 'continuation' it means they don't have to comply with modern crash test safety regulations? Just interested if anyone knew how it works?

They do not anyway because the cars are not road-legal. They will be track cars only (or at least until until owners decide to ignore that slight issue.)