(from Zagato Press Release) The
DB4Z is called “one of the most beautiful Aston Martins ever created” by
company CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, and is widely recognized as the greatest
street Aston, the benchmark against which the current Vanquish would be
judged.
According to Elio Zagato, Koelliker, a friend who was Aston’s dealer in
Milan, commissioned the DB4 Zagato. “The idea was a nice street car that
could go racing, though that was not its original purpose,” Zagato says.
“It developed into that. When Aston saw the car, they liked it and
decided to make it a factory model.”
Thus began one of the most memorable chapters in Aston history. The DB4
Zagato appeared in 1960, its beautiful but aggressive aerodynamic body
setting it apart from standard Astons, clearly showing its performance
pretenses. The interior was comfortable yet stark, a reflection of the
weight saving measures done throughout the car.
The DB4 Zagato was produced for two years, with 19 made. The car’s 314
horsepower engine was more powerful than the standard DB4. Coupled with
its lighter weight and more aerodynamic body, it easily cleared 150 mph.
A number were campaigned frequently, though they could never
consistently unseat their made-for-racing Ferrari 250 GTO competition.
