Following the path blazed by Jaguar, Aston Martin will dig into its archives in order to resume production of the DB4 GT. The iconic model was originally built between 1959 and 1963.
The sought-after, lightweight version of the GT will serve as the basis for the modern-day continuation car. Offered only as a coupe, the 21st-century G.T. will boast a curvaceous body made out of thin-gauge aluminum and a tubular frame. Visually, the two cars are expected to look all but identical right down to the period-correct wire wheels.
The story will be different under the skin, where the continuation model will benefit from improvements in performance, braking, safety, and handling, though Aston is keeping full details under wraps. All we know as of writing is that power will come from a 3.7-liter straight-six engine that uses carburetors and a twin-spark system to develop 340 horsepower. A manual transmission will send power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.
Aston will painstakingly assemble 25 examples of the DB4 GT by hand in its Newport Pagnell center, which is where the original cars were built. New VIN numbers will be created for the replicas. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next fall, though you shouldn’t expect to see one driving to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The modern DB4 GT will undoubtedly be a rare sight because it won’t be street legal. It’s being designed to participate in a new, two-year track driving program that will allow owners to race on some of the best-known circuits in the world. Professional pilots like Le Mans class winner Darren Turner will give DB4 GT owners advice on how to safely push the car — which won’t be equipped with modern driving aids such as ABS and ESP — to its limits.
The original DB4 GT (pictured) was fully street legal. 75 examples were built, and just eight of those were lightweight cars. Aston Martin explains that most examples are still around today, but they rarely come up for sale and they cost nearly $4 million when they do.
