Aston Martin Reviving DB4 GT, Sort of

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After perhaps the longest hiatus in automotive history, Aston Martin has announced the Aston Martin DB4 GT is coming back. The most celebrated and iconic of the Aston Martin lineage, the DB4 will return with limited production, and be built in the Newport Pagnell facility.

But there’s a little asterisk – a caveat to the announcement. The Aston Martin DB4 GT will be a production run of just 25 cars. They’re being touted as “continuation cars” and not replicas, however these 25 examples will not be street legal. If you want to own and drive one of these 25 new Aston Martin DB4 GT’s, it will have to be on the track.

Old DB4 GT Is New Again

On the outside, the DB4 GT will look just like the previous generation, produced from 1959 to 1963. It’s short wheelbase design means it remains a two-seater, and the body will be skinned with aluminum. While its appearance will look the same, modern manufacturing technology will enhance the fit and finish.

Under the body, the continuation cars are just a little different. The original engine produced 340 hp from a twin-carb, 3.7-liter straight-six engine, mated to a four-speed manual transmission and limited slip rear differential. The new run of DB4’s will have a 3.7-liter engine inspired by the original, yet new manufacturing methods will likely see improved performance specs.

In true DB4 spirit, the 25 new cars will not have modern driving assists. These cars are meant for the driving enthusiast, someone who enjoys the raw experience of basic driving skill. There won’t be ABS brakes, traction control, or navigation (unless your passenger brings a paper map).

To keep it as genuine as possible, VIN numbers will carry on where the last generation left off.

Destined for the Track

The DB4 GT continuation cars are built for an arrive-and-drive race series at some of the most prestigious tracks worldwide, developed by Aston Martin. DB4 continuation owners will be part of the two-year race program that includes driver training from Darren Turner, a Le Mans winner.

If you’re wondering how much the Aston Martin DB4 GT continuation cars are going to be, you probably already know you can’t afford it. Similar cars built from ’59 through ’63 don’t come up for sale often. But when they do, it’s for nearly $4 million.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who manages to get their hands on one of the continuation cars, you won’t have long to wait. The first ones are set to roll out of Newport Pagnell in the latter half of 2017.