Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato to break British car auction record?

Is this 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato about to become the most valuable British car ever auctioned?

The so-called “2 VEV” machine comes to auction at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 13 July armed with a £15m estimate – that’s $21m.

Raced regularly by the great Jim Clark

That figure is just below the $22.6m achieved last year by the record holder, the first Aston Martin DBR1.

What’s getting collectors so excited about this DB4?

Rarity for starters. This is one of only three examples of the lightweight version of the Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato built, and one of just 19 in total.

Then consider the double cachet of the Aston Martin name coupled with the Italian stylings of Zagato.

There is the car’s racing pedigree to consider as well. It was raced widely by the Essex Racing Stable, including at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and was a regular ride of two-time Formula One champion Jim Clark. The vehicle regularly locked horns with Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinettas and Ferrari 250 GT SWBs in the early 60s.

And that’s before you mention the car’s impeccable provenance, having resided in the same family collection for the past 47 years.

James Knight, the auction house’s group motoring chairman, comments: “Bonhams is absolutely delighted to be bringing this landmark vehicle to auction. It is, by some distance, the most valuable British motor car ever to be offered at a European auction, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historically significant vehicle.”

The vehicle underwent a major restoration in the 1990s and is racetrack ready.

Have you seen our own piece of motor racing history for sale?

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