‘Lost’ and Found … Ultra-Rare ‘Missing’ Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight Offered at No Reserve in Bonhams Bond Street Sale


Lot 09 - 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT 'Lightweight' 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon s_n  DB4GT/0169/R Est. £2,000,000 - 3,000,000 (NR) · $2,600,000 - 3,900,000 · €2,300,000 - 3,500,000

Lot 09 - 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT 'Lightweight' 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon s_n DB4GT/0169/R Est. £2,000,000 - 3,000,000 (NR) · $2,600,000 - 3,900,000 · €2,300,000 - 3,500,000

 

London, 14 November, 2019

An ultra-rare 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT 'Lightweight' – one of only nine  examples completed to the special Lightweight specification by Aston Martin - first owned by renowned hill climb competitor Phil Scragg, is to be offered in next month’s Bonhams Bond Street Sale (Saturday 7 December) at NO RESERVE, with an estimate of £2,000,000 to 3,000,000.

In the hands of only its third owner since 1965, this example is offered to the global car collectors’ market with a full, known ownership history and the kudos of being one of the ultra-rare Lightweights built for competition and road use.

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If the DB4 was considered the ultimate Gran Turismo of its day, marrying state-of-the-art British engineering with Italian flair in the form of its Carrozzeria Touring aluminium body, the 200lbs lighter racing GT version was the crème de la crème, of which only 45 right-hand drive versions were produced.

Modified with a shorter wheelbase, a luggage platform instead of rear seats, lighter 18-gauge bodywork and lightweight Borrani wire wheels and its twin spark engine tuned to produce over 300bhp, the DB4GT achieved a top speed of 153mph, a 0-60mph acceleration in 6.1 seconds and was also the first car to go from a standstill to 100mph and stop in under 20 seconds.

Sanctioned by John Wyer, Aston Martin’s acclaimed team manager, in 1960, the competition Lightweight made its mark in international racing in the hands of Stirling Moss with Equipe Endeavour, Jim Clark, Innes Ireland and Roy Salvadori with Essex Racing and German circuit driver and Aston Martin importer Peter Lindner. This was the ultimate Touring bodied DB4GT and remains both elusive and revered.

The handful of special ‘Lightweight’ versions were built outside the main production line at Newport Pagnell, with their even greater lightness achieved by extensive use of aluminium in the chassis which was also drilled front and rear. Perspex was used everywhere except the screen, and the trim was lightened. 

This example is finished in 'Elusive Blue' having been originally one of the two cars delivered in ‘Wedgewood Blue’. Incredibly the black Connolly trim and carpets are original as are the lightweight interior trim panels. 

With the GT being such a respected racing car in its day, it is fitting that this car was first owned by another gentleman racer of the period, Phil Scragg, a prosperous Northern industrialist, car collector and noted hill climber, who successfully campaigned it, with a specially-lowered axle ratio, at venues including Loton Park, Aintree and Prescott in 1961.

Benefitting from an engine rebuild carried out by Aston Martin Works Service, including a conversion to 4.2 -litre capacity in 2007, this very special DB4GT is eligible for the most prestigious historic motoring events around the world.

According to Aston Martin authority Stephen Archer: This is an opportunity that cannot be repeated. For such an extremely rare car to have had just three owners and the last for 55 years is extraordinary enough. But the originality of this car is breath-taking. This has to be one of the greatest preservation opportunities of the century. There are not many Astons today where you can still see the maker’s hand in every aspect of the car.

"This DB4GT deserves a very appreciative and sympathetic home because it will give the owner enormous satisfaction. The DB4GT was one of David Brown’s greatest cars, this is one of just nine at the very pinnacle of that achievement.

Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams Motor Cars Department Director UK, added: “The Bonhams motoring team is thrilled to be offering one of the ‘Holy Grail’ Aston Martins. We are delighted that our consistent track record of achieving good results for the marque has led to the consignment of this important motor car.”

The DB4 GT will be available to view in the Bonhams’ flagship Sale Room in New Bond Street, on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December, the day of the Bond Street Sale.
 

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Lot List

Lot

Description

S/N

Estimates

Result
incl. Buyer’s Premium

01

1965 Jaguar Mark II 3.8-Litre 'Coombs Evocation'

233838DN

£48,000 - 58,000

£51,750 €61,276

02

1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Foursome Drophead Coupé

GRW44

£110,000 - 130,000

Not Sold

03

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon

DB5/2026/R

£470,000 - 550,000

Not Sold

04

1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Super Sport Spider

0312931/0332931

£800,000 - 1,200,000

Not Sold

05

2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello

122982

£90,000 - 120,000

£120,750 €142,978

06

1994 Aston Martin Virage Volante 6.3-Litre Convertible

SCFDAM2C9PBR
60107

£225,000 - 275,000

£235,750 €279,149

07

1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

07702

£380,000 - 460,000

Not Sold

08

2009 Aston Martin DBS Coupé

SCFAA05D49GE
00665

£100,000 - 130,000

£112,700 €133,447

09

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT 'Lightweight' 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon

DB4GT/0169/R

£2,000,000 - 3,000,000
(NR)

£2,367,000 €2,802,742

10

2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina

124416

£250,000 - 300,000

Not Sold

11

1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Roadster

85411

£650,000 - 850,000

Not Sold

12

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage 4.2-Litre

DB6/2650/R

£260,000 - 310,000

Not Sold

14

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7-Litre 'Lightweight'

9113601097

£750,000 - 850,000

Not Sold

15

2016 Ferrari F12tdf Berlinetta

219488

£670,000 - 740,000

Not Sold

16

2004 Porsche Carrera GT

WP0ZZZ98Z4L
000146

£650,000 - 750,000

Not Sold

17

1960 Porsche 356B 1600 Super Cabriolet

154172

£110,000 - 130,000

Not Sold

18

1976 Ferrari 512 BB

19885

£180,000 - 240,000

Not Sold

19

1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boat-tail Speedster

33515E

£650,000 - 750,000

Not Sold

20

1959 FMR/Messerschmitt Tg500 Microcar

20655

£120,000 - 160,000

Not Sold

21

2001 Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta

124138

£500,000 - 700,000

£575,000 €680,852

22

2017 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 70th Anniversary

230210

£300,000 - 400,000

£339,250 €401,702

23

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Saloon

100.014.12.
002025

£300,000 - 500,000

Not Sold

24

2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG Brabus B63S-700 Widestar

WDB4532721X
214921

£100,000 - 130,000

Not Sold

25

1991 Ferrari Testarossa

88491

£75,000 - 100,000

Not Sold

26

1953 Bentley R-Type Continental

BC20C

£900,000 - 1,100,000

Not Sold

27

1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack

SCFCV8IV7JTR
12603

£300,000 - 340,000

£324,300 €384,000

28

1989 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 4

SCFDL0157KTR
13608

£70,000 - 120,000

Not Sold

29

1973 Citroën SM 3.0-Litre Coupé

SBSD00SD
1562

£40,000 - 60,000

Not Sold

30

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé

WMX1973772A
003382

£150,000 - 200,000

Not Sold

31

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

WP0ZZZ91ZFS
800118

£850,000 - 950,000

Not Sold

32

2016 Ferrari 458 Speciale Coupé

208710

£240,000 - 280,000

Not Sold

33

1933 Bentley 3½-Litre Cabriolet

B17AE

£130,000 - 160,000

Not Sold

34

1964 Bentley S3 Two-door Convertible

B482EC

£110,000 - 120,000

Not Sold

35

2006 Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 Coupé

VF9SA15B36M
795015

£850,000 - 1,250,000

Not Sold

36

2013 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

ZAR920000000
49305

£175,000 - 200,000

£197,800 €234,213