The British Are Coming! (Paul Revere Drove an Aston Martin)

Filed in archive Aston Martin , Auctions , Racers on November 23, 2009

Just as there is something very special about the British Isles, so too is there something special about British cars. So special, in fact, that RM is planning an All British evening to launch its annual Arizona auction. Titled "The British Are Coming" it takes place Thursday, January 21 at the classic Arizona Biltmore hotel. Rare and beautiful marques will be featured, many at no reserve. Among the highlights will be this 1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT, which RM estimates will sell in the million dollar range.



The original Aston Martin DB4 was unveiled at the 1958 Paris Salon. The specification included a completely new steel platform chassis with disc brakes all around and a freshly developed alloy twin-cam 3.7 liter straight six engine, all clothed in an elegantly-proportioned fastback aluminum body designed by Touring of Milan. The competition variant, the DB4 GT, was based on the race winning prototype SP199/1 from the year that Astons took the World Sportscar Championship title. The GT prototype won its first outing at Silverstone in May 1959 on the Bank Holiday weekend in the hands of Stirling Moss.



The wheelbase was reduced by 13 cm (approx. 5 inches) from the touring DB4, while weight was reduced by 91 kg (200 lbs). The engine was extensively modified, featuring a higher compression (9:1) twin-plug cylinder head, breathing through triple dual-throat Weber 45 DCOE carburetors. Power output was an outstanding: 302 bhp at 6000 rpm. Looking at that gorgeous body, elegant interior, and an engine that resembles a work of art, I'm sure you'll agree that there is, indeed, something special about British cars.

[Photo Credit: shooterz.biz]