The Glory Days
Some automotive brands build their legacy on the racetrack; the industry is filled with prominent brands like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jaguar, and many more that, apart from building road cars, gained fame by competing in the biggest races in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.
Aston Martinenjoys the same racing heritage as the above-mentioned brands, having won notable races in Le Mans throughout its history. As a celebration of that proud racing story, a couple of years ago, Aston Martin remade a modern take on a classic race car.
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Continuation Series
The Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation was launched back in 2017, built as a brand-new car but matching the exact specifications of the 1959 DB4 GT Lightweight. To make it even more desirable was that it’s a blend of past and present technology, with the automaker opting to update some of the key features of the original DB4 GT for the Continuation model.
Currently listed on Piston Heads is chassis no. DB4 GT/0227/R and was built as a right-hand drive model, and registered in the U.K. It only has 216 miles on the odometer, making it virtually brand new. An interesting bit of history is that the Continuation models’ VIN numbers carry on from the last ever DB4 GT (no.0202R), essentially Aston Martin’s way of continuing the DB4 GT bloodline.
The engine is a 4.2-liter straight-six that makes 331 horsepower, mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The gears are straight-cut for a more true racing feel and are aided by a limited-slip differential. One of the upgrades featured in the Continuation model is an enlarged engine, from the original 3.7-liter spec to 4.2 liters. Its chassis is made of tubular steel and dubbed the Superleggera (lightweight), and, true to its name, it weighs only 2,711 lbs.
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Rarer than Most
As special as the Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation already is, this particular listed model has something that the other Continuation models don’t. This car is one of only 25 ever built to modern FIA racing specifications, including a roll cage, bucket seats, and a fire extinguisher. Built specifically as a track toy, the Continuation models aren’t road legal, this car in particular is one of just two registered for public road use in the U.K.
The listing itself doesn’t have a listed price, but back when it was new, it cost $1.9 Million. Historically, at auction, the Continuation prices have ranged from $900,000 to around $1,300,000. However, this road-legal version could be the exception and set a new record for Continuation sale prices.
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