Aston Martin, the iconic British automaker, thrilled classic car enthusiasts when it announced that it would manufacture 19 new continuations of its legendary DB4 Zagato GT. The model, introduced in 1960 at the London Motor Show, was an interpretation of the brand’s DB4 GT created by Ercole Spada, the head designer at Zagato, an automotive design center in Rho, Italy.

The continuation will be built at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, England, the company's in-house classic-car department. Featuring the same all-aluminum bodywork as the original DB4 GT Zagato, the new model will include 380-horsepower, a 3.8-liter, straight-six engine and a four-speed manual transmission, the same as the original.

Though the DB4 GT Zagato is intended for track use only, it will be sold with the DBS GT Zagato, which is road legal. Both models, part of a DBZ Centenary Collection celebrating Zagato’s 100th anniversary, start at $7.9 million. Currently being built at the new Aston Martin Works Continuation facilities in Newport Pagnell, the new DB4 GT Zagatos are hand-crafted, an intensive process which takes approximately 4,500 hours.

The first completed DB4 GT Zagato Continuation model was showcased at the Le Mans 24 Hours last June. The race car was painted in Rosso Maja, which was custom mixed by paint supplier Max Meyer for use on the original Zagato DB4. The interior features carbon fiber race seats upholstered in black leather The door cards and headliner, which match the carpets, are also trimmed in black leather. An FIA-approved roll cage and period-correct race instrumentation are also included.

Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works, says, “It’s a privilege for all of us here at Newport Pagnell, as part of the Aston Martin family, to work on these remarkable ‘new old’ cars. The Continuation programme we started here with the DB4 GT Continuation in 2017, that has now spawned the iconic DB4 GT Zagato Continuation, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to contribute to the rich history of this great British luxury sports car brand.”

The DB4 GT Zagato was first built to compete against Ferrari in the 1960’s. At the time, only 19 were produced. The original DB4 GT Zagato first competed at Goodwood in 1961. Driven by legendary British Formula One driver Sir Stirling Moss, the car finished third, behind an Aston Martin DB4GT and the winning Ferrari 250 GT. The new fleet will adhere to the classic design features yet benefit from modern engineering developments and performance improvements.

Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, says, “I’m thrilled to see this ambitious Continuation project bear fruit in such an exceptional way. It took courage, vision and incredible dedication for all those involved to take this idea and make it the stunning reality it is today.

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“The DB4 GT Zagato is one of the true jewels of Aston Martin’s proud heritage and, paired with the new beauty that is the stunning DBS GT Zagato, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars are a unique and fitting celebration of the brand’s 60-year love affair with this unmatched Italian automotive style icon.”