Aston Martin to sell DB4 Zagato GT Continuation as package deal with new DBS GT Zagato

For nearly six decades, the idea that “two are better than one” has been more than just a concept to Zagato and Aston Martin—It’s been reality. So what better way to celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary Italian design house than to collaborate with Aston once again?

Adding to their already remarkable creative partnership, which resulted in some of the world’s most desirable automobiles—from the first Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato in October 1960 to the current Aston Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake—the two automotive legends have joined forces again to commemorate Zagato’s landmark year in 2019. The new DBZ Centenary Collection includes two tribute cars: a track-only Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and a road-legal DBS GT Zagato. Only 19 examples of each car will be produced, and— appropriately—they will be sold only in pairs.

“Great Britain has always appreciated our work,” said Andrea Zagato, head of the Milan-based design house that his grandfather founded in 1919. “I’m honored and very proud that Aston Martin has chosen to celebrate our long-standing partnership with this unique DBZ Centenary Collection.”

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer added, “As an engineer, I would always say my favorite Aston Martin is the next one, but I have to say I’m struggling to think of a finer two-car garage than this.”

Why only 19 of each car? Aston built just 19 original DB4 GT Zagato models to challenge Ferrari on the track in the 1960s. The 2019 DB4 GT Zagato Continuations will be meticulously crafted and authentic to those originals by using a blend of David Brown-era old-world craftsmanship and the sympathetic application of modern engineering and performance enhancements.

Using thin-gauge aluminum body panels over a lightweight tubular frame, the continuation car’s bodywork employs state-of-the-art digital scanning technology before being hand-finished. The car will be powered by a Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its 380 horsepower to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.

The other half of the DBZ Centenary Collection is the DBS GT Zagato, which begins with Aston Martin’s most potent series production car, the new DBS Superleggera. The exterior will feature a fresh interpretation of the iconic double-bubble roof, along with a striking front grille treatment and dramatically shortened tail.

The DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will be built at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell—the original home of the DB4—while the new DBS GT Zagato will be produced at Gaydon, Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Warwickshire.

“Aston Martin and Zagato is a uniquely dynamic union, one that unites the former’s love of proportion and clean, simple forms with the latter’s daring and maverick eye,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s chief creative officer. “Zagato’s centenary demanded something extra special, and the Zagato Collection is just that: one car that pays tribute to a timeless icon; another that writes a fearless new chapter for future generations to admire.”

The DBZ Century Collection will also carry an extra special price tag: £6 million for the pair—that’s nearly $7.9 million—plus taxes. DB4 GT Zagato Continuation deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2019, with DBS GT Zagatos commencing about a year later. At that price, we’re hoping they’ll be worth the wait.