In the classic car industry, Aston Martins are considered the cream of the crop. That trend continues with the recent announcement of a 1961 Aston Martin becoming the most expensive British car to sell in Europe. A DB4GT Zagato, raced and crashed by two-time Formula One World Champion Jim Clark, is expected to sell for as much as £15 million at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on the 13th July 2018.
Described as ‘the most important DB4GT Zagato in history,’ the car certainly has the racing pedigree and heritage to justify its price tag. The vehicle was designed by Carrozzeria Zagato and is held in such high regard because according to Aston Martin’s records it’s one of two quasi-working cars. Both were registered VEV, with the one on sale being labelled ‘2 VEV.’ The car was one of only three to be made to a lightweight specification designed to achieve racing glory.
The fact that it was driven by Jim Clark makes the Zagato even more appealing. Between 1961 and 1962, the Zagato competed in the GT World Championship against the Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO Berlinettas. Clark raced it during the 1962 Goodwood TT, only to collide with John Surtee’s Ferrari 250 GTO. The collision also involved Robin Benson’s Ferrari 250 GT SWB. It wasn’t the first time the Zagato had to be rebuilt, as it also crashed at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
In order to become the most expensive British car sold in Europe, the Zagato needs to exceed £5,041,500 that was paid for a 1929 4.5-litre supercharged Bentley Blower. This vehicle was sold at Bonhams in 2012. The Zagato was last bought in 1971 for £3600, so the £15 million estimation is a massive increase.
Bonhams Motoring Chairman, James Knight, is positive about the car’s performance. “Bonhams is absolutely delighted to be bringing this landmark vehicle to auction, which continues our history of offering the world’s most important and celebrated sports and collectors’ motor cars to market. 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 Bonhams auction is taking place at Goodwood this summer and it’s set to be an exciting event. The Zagato being sold provides an opportunity to own “one of the most charismatic, historically important and rarest of all great British racing GT cars.”
