Aston Martin DB4
Aston Martin DB4 | |
---|---|
FR layout | |
Related | DB4 GT Zagato Lagonda Rapide |
Powertrain | |
Engine | DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc, 240 bhp @ 5000 rpm 240 lbs-ft @ 4200 rpm |
Dimensions | |
Kerb weight | 1308 kg (2883 lb)[3] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Aston Martin DB Mark III |
Successor | Aston Martin DB5 |
The DB4 is a grand tourer that was produced by Aston Martin from 1958 until 1963. ( "DB" designation from (Sir) David Brown who built up the company from 1947 onwards).
Technically the DB4 was not a development of the DB Mark III it replaced, nor did it evolve into the DB5. It had a platform rather than a tubular chassis with a new engine by Tadek Marek. The DB4's design formed the basis for later Aston Martin models, such as the DB4 GT Zagato, the Lagonda Rapide 4-door saloon.
Design
The lightweight
Specifications
The 3.7 L (3670 cc/223 in³) engine, designed by Tadek Marek, a Polish born racing driver, has
Performance
A car with the British standard 3.54 final drive ratio tested by
Models
"Series" DB4s
There were five "series" of DB4. The most visible changes were the addition of window frames in Series II and the adoption of a barred (rather than eggcrate) grille in Series IV. The Series III cars differed from the earlier ones in having taillights consisting of three small lamps mounted on a chrome backing plate. Earlier cars have single-piece units and the last Series V cars of September 1962 have similar taillights but recessed.[6] The Series V also has a taller and longer body to provide more interior space, though the diameter of the wheels was reduced to keep the overall height the same. The front of the Series V usually was of the more aerodynamic style as already used on the Vantage and GT models, a style that was later carried over to the DB5 cars.[6]
DB4 Convertible
A
DB4 GT
The DB4 GT was a special lightweight, high-performance version of the DB4. Introduced in September 1959, it featured enclosed headlights and a thinner aluminium skin for lighter weight. The wheelbase was also reduced in comparison to the standard car, which resulted in many cars not being fitted with rear seats.
The engine was what made the GT special. Available in 3.7 L (3670 cc/223 in³) and 3.8 L (3750 cc/228 in³) versions, the engine had two sparkplugs per cylinder with two distributors and three twin-choke
Seventy-five GTs were built with this body style. Nineteen more were modified by the Zagato works in Italy into DB4 GT Zagatos, with plain oval grilles, Borrani wire wheels and a smoothed out rear end without the stock GT's tail fins. A single car was styled by Bertone and dubbed the Bertone Jet.
DB4 GT Continuation
In 2016 Aston Martin Works announced that a further twenty-five track-only cars based on the 1959 lightweight specification would be manufactured at its Newport Pagnell plant, each costing around £1.5M with delivery expected in late 2017.[11][12]
Vantage
With the introduction of the Series IV in 1961, a high-performance DB4 Vantage was offered. It featured three SU carbs and special cylinder heads, increasing power to 266
Vantage GT
A tiny number of non-GT DB4s used the GT's more-powerful engine. This combination is often called a Vantage GT, though not all included the Vantage package and none was technically a GT. Three Series III, five Series IV, and six Series V cars have this unusual combination of body and engine for a total of 14.
References
- ISBN 1-84425-014-8.
- ^ The Motor. 14 September 1960.
- ^ "DB4 and DB4 Convertible – Aston Martin". astonmartin.com. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Newport Pagnell's Greatest Hits". Classic Driver. Classic Driver.
- ISBN 0-7894-0159-2.
- ^ a b c Jones, Philip, Aston Martin: A Product Overview: Part II, Newport Pagnell, DB4-DB6 (PDF), Byron International, p. 8
- ^ Aston Martin coupé The Times, Wednesday, 4 Oct 1961; pg. 9; Issue 55203
- ISBN 1-84425-014-8.
- ^ "1961 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible performance, specs, data & photo". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- ^ "1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT performance, specs, data & photo". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- ^ Sam Sheehan (9 December 2016). "Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation models to be built for £1.5m each". Autocar.
- ^ "Aston Martin DB4 model built after 55-year gap". BBC News. 4 January 2018.
- 1. Mark Ewing (September 1990). "One Fine Lorry". Sports Car International. 6 (9): 28–30.
External links
- Aston Restoration Website – A site devoted to information on restoring an Aston Martin, including DB4
- Original Aston Martin brochures – Original sales literature for Aston Martin viewable online, including the DB4