Building on a legacy: Aston Martin puts the DB4GT back into production

The Aston Martin DB4GT is seen in this provided image. © Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

The lightweight two-seater coupe that tore up the track from 1959 to 1963 and gave Ferrari food for thought, is set to be reborn as a $2 million continuation model.

Following a similar move from Jaguar, who has put both the lightweight E-Type and XKSS back into very limited hand-built production, Aston Martin has announced ambitious plans to build 25 ‘new' DB4 GTs plus a bespoke racing series in which owners will be able to compete.

"For over 60 years Aston Martin Works has devoted unrivalled skill and experience to preserving Aston Martin's heritage. Now we are creating something for the future," said Paul Spires, Commercial Director, Aston Martin Works.

Based on the standard DB4, the GT ditched the rear seats plus 13-centimetre of wheelbase and 91-kilogram in mass. Its 3.7 liter straight-six engine with twin-spark ignition, used technology from Aston's 1959 Le Mans-wining DBR1, and could produce 302bhp (62bhp more than a standard DB4).

So, 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds, 246km/h flat out, and, thanks to disc brakes, it could go from 0-160km/h-0 again in less than 20 seconds. All of which made it one of the fastest and most powerful cars of its day. And, because just 75 were built (just eight of which were track-focused lightweight models) it was also one of the rarest.

However, while the new cars will carry continuation VIN numbers they won't be exact replicas. Aston is going to use digital technology to cut the aluminum panels for perfect panel gaps (they will still be hand-shaped and fitted) and that engine is going to get a very subtle power boost. The company is quoting 340bhp.

"Combining the authenticity of a hand-crafted David Brown era car with sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, the DB4 G.T. Continuation is a fusion of classic design and contemporary methods," Spires said.

The other change is that the cars will get their own racing series, set to run over two years on some of the world's best circuits.

"[This project] offers 25 individuals the opportunity of commissioning a classic, built to modern-day standards and ready to be enjoyed in an international track driving program as bespoke and individual as the cars themselves," said Spires.

The first reborn DB4 GT will be delivered in late 2017.