An extremely rare classic Aston Martin is to be sold at auction in London next month for an estimated fee of up to £1,8million. 

However, the winning bidder will need to set aside plenty of time and funds to get it back on the road, with the 1960 DB4GT sold as an unfinished restoration project.

It will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Legends of the Road Sale in Bond Street on 19 February, alongside a £7million Bugatti and sought-after 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS worth an estimated £900,000.

The assemble-it-yourself Aston Martin: This 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT is being offered to the highest bidder in a dismantled condition. Despite this, it is estimated to fetch up to £1.8million

The assemble-it-yourself Aston Martin: This 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT is being offered to the highest bidder in a dismantled condition. Despite this, it is estimated to fetch up to £1.8million

The assemble-it-yourself Aston Martin: This 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT is being offered to the highest bidder in a dismantled condition. Despite this, it is estimated to fetch up to £1.8million

The Aston Martin DB4GT is a key model in the British brand’s heritage and is widely considered by many collectors as the finest post-war road car the Bond-favourite firm produced.

The ultimate Gran Turismo of its time, the DB4GT was designed to take on the Ferrari 250 GT SWB and eclipsed rivals with a top speed in excess of 150mph and a 0-to-60mph time of just 6.1 seconds. 

It is powered by a 3.7-litre, six-cylinder, double overhead camshaft naturally aspirated engine with two valves per cylinder producing around 302bhp with power delivered via a four-speed manual gearbox.

It became one of the first road cars ever measured to be able to accelerate from standstill to 100mph and then brake to a complete stop in less than 20 seconds and, in prototype form, was piloted by the late Sir Stirling Moss to victory in its debut race at Silverstone.

The vintage Aston Martin coupe will be offered to the highest bidder in an online classic car sale next month held in London by Bonhams

The vintage Aston Martin coupe will be offered to the highest bidder in an online classic car sale next month held in London by Bonhams

The vintage Aston Martin coupe will be offered to the highest bidder in an online classic car sale next month held in London by Bonhams

The car had been in the same ownership from 1966 to the vendor's death early last year. In 1983, he had taken it off the road to restore it - though the job was never completed

The car had been in the same ownership from 1966 to the vendor's death early last year. In 1983, he had taken it off the road to restore it - though the job was never completed

The car had been in the same ownership from 1966 to the vendor’s death early last year. In 1983, he had taken it off the road to restore it – though the job was never completed

It’s so celebrated that the Aston Martin Works division of the iconic British car maker has commissioned 19 new DB4GT Zagato continuation models to be produced, each with an asking price in the region of £1.5million.

However, the classic car being auctioned by Bonhams next month is far from in perfect condition.

It is being sold as a part-finished restoration job that was started some 37 years ago.

The first owner was Gilby Engineering and is believed to have been the road car of Syd Green, owner of the company. 

Green was also the founder of the eponymous Grand Prix racing team which had its debut in the 1954 French Grand Prix with British driver Roy Salvadori at the wheel of a Maserati 250F.

The stunning coupe was subsequently sold some six years later to the latest owner, David Picking, an engineer and pilot, purchased the car in 1966.

The car is currently no more than a rolling chassis, with most of the components - including the engine - not installed. However, most of the original parts are sold in the listing

The car is currently no more than a rolling chassis, with most of the components - including the engine - not installed. However, most of the original parts are sold in the listing

The car is currently no more than a rolling chassis, with most of the components – including the engine – not installed. However, most of the original parts are sold in the listing

The vehicle doesn't have doors, windows, lights or most of the mechanical components fitted, having been stripped back in 1983 and never rebuilt

The vehicle doesn't have doors, windows, lights or most of the mechanical components fitted, having been stripped back in 1983 and never rebuilt

The vehicle doesn’t have doors, windows, lights or most of the mechanical components fitted, having been stripped back in 1983 and never rebuilt

Having used the coupe extensively for numerous continental road trips across Europe, the keen engineer looked to restore the car in 1983, taking it off the road and stripping the vehicle back for a full rebuilt.

Mr Picking died in early 2020, having owned the vehicle for some 54 years. 

Next month, his DB4GT is to be sold to the highest bidder, though still in a dismantled condition, with his original plan to recommission it unfinished.

Bonhams says this gives the ‘opportunity for the next custodian to complete its reassembly as David Picking had intended’, which would see the car finished in its original ‘Snow Shadow’ grey pain and red leather interior.

In its ‘as-sold’ state it is essentially a rolling shell, with most of the mechanical components, doors, windows, lights and indicators and much of the interior missing. 

How it should look: The Aston Martin DB4GT in current condition
If rebuilt to a very high standard, it could be worth up to £3million
Slide me

How it should look: The Aston Martin DB4GT, once completed, will look something like this. If rebuilt to a very high standard, it could be worth up to £3million

Bonhams says this gives the 'opportunity for the next custodian to complete its reassembly as David Picking had intended', which would see the car finished in its original 'Snow Shadow' grey pain and red leather interior.
Here's how a pristine 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT should look
Slide me

Bonhams says this gives the ‘opportunity for the next custodian to complete its reassembly as David Picking had intended’, which would see the car finished in its original ‘Snow Shadow’ grey pain and red leather interior. Right: how a pristine DB4GT looks

Chassis number ‘0113/R’ does retain its original engine and gearbox along with most of the missing parts, including the reupholstered leather seats.

Bonhams said: ‘It is not possible to definitively determine the completeness of the car, although in our opinion we believe it is near complete and aware there is no windscreen.’

The auction house adds that the ‘almost forgotten’ DB4GT comes with an extensive file containing assorted correspondence; copy guarantee form; photographs from the 1960s to 1980s; receipts for parts acquired from Aston Services Dorset and the factory at Newport Pagnell; and other paperwork including the V5 registration document, old MoTs (1966 and 1968) and the coveted acquisition bill of sale from 1966 for the then princely sum of £825.

While that might seem modest today, in 1966 the average salary was £798 and a house £2,000. 

If the car is completed to an exemplary ‘concours’ condition by the next owner, experts say its value could almost double.

The Bonhams listing estimates it could sell for a figure between £1.4million and £1.8million. However, classic car insurer Hagerty currently lists the valuation of a spotless 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT as being worth £3,075,000.

It also says a ‘good’ condition version – worth around £2.2million – will cost an average of £6,886 a year to insure. 

The in-demand Aston Martin will be sold alongside one of the world’s most valuable and desirable pre-war motor cars that was recently rediscovered after 50 years in hiding – and is set to sell for a staggering seven-figure sum when offered to collectors at auction in February.

The model in question is a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S, which has been off the road for the past half century and its whereabouts and condition relatively unknown, was featured by This is Money and MailOnline in December.

Bonhams estimates it will reach a figure in the region of £5million to £7million when it goes under the hammer in February.

Hidden treasure: This 1937 Bugatti is considered one of the most desirable pre-war vintage cars in existence and is due to be sold at the same London auction for up to £7million

Hidden treasure: This 1937 Bugatti is considered one of the most desirable pre-war vintage cars in existence and is due to be sold at the same London auction for up to £7million

Hidden treasure: This 1937 Bugatti is considered one of the most desirable pre-war vintage cars in existence and is due to be sold at the same London auction for up to £7million

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S has been off the road for the past 50 years and kept in a private collection in a North Staffordshire workshop

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S has been off the road for the past 50 years and kept in a private collection in a North Staffordshire workshop

The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S has been off the road for the past 50 years and kept in a private collection in a North Staffordshire workshop

It is offered to the highest bidder with 'almost perfect' black paintwork, cream leather interior and original coachwork

It is offered to the highest bidder with 'almost perfect' black paintwork, cream leather interior and original coachwork

It is offered to the highest bidder with ‘almost perfect’ black paintwork, cream leather interior and original coachwork

Also up for grabs is a glorious 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS that has been treasured in single family ownership since 1977.

The auction house describes it as a ‘rare jewel’, being one of only 19 right-hand drive examples of the 200 luxury 275 GTSs produced over four years during Ferrari’s ‘golden age’.

The coachwork is by the much-celebrated Italian styling firm Carrozzeria Pininfarina and features a 3.3-litre V12 engine that produces 260bhp. 

The GTS is offered from a renowned UK-based private collection in its original colour of ‘Sera’ blue with black leather interior and a private registration number ‘II HLO’ and the all-important Ferrari Classiche Certification.

Auctioneers have predicted that it will sell for £700,000 to £900,000 on 19 February. 

Commenting on the Aston Martin and Ferrari, Sholto Gilbertson, director at Bonhams Motor Cars UK, said: ‘These latest additions to the Legends of the Road Sale combine the perfect collecting combination of rarity and long-term ownership. 

‘In addition, Aston Martin and Ferrari are world-renowned marques of which the DB4GT and 275 have become true legends.’ 

Also up for grabs is a glorious 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS that has been treasured in single family ownership since 1977

Also up for grabs is a glorious 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS that has been treasured in single family ownership since 1977

Also up for grabs is a glorious 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS that has been treasured in single family ownership since 1977

The auction house describes it as a 'rare jewel', being one of only 19 right-hand drive examples of the 200 luxury 275 GTSs produced over four years during Ferrari¿s ¿golden age'

The auction house describes it as a 'rare jewel', being one of only 19 right-hand drive examples of the 200 luxury 275 GTSs produced over four years during Ferrari¿s ¿golden age'

The auction house describes it as a ‘rare jewel’, being one of only 19 right-hand drive examples of the 200 luxury 275 GTSs produced over four years during Ferrari’s ‘golden age’

Under the bonnet is this fabulous 3.3-litre V12 engine. In its heyday, it was said to produce a staggering 260bhp

Under the bonnet is this fabulous 3.3-litre V12 engine. In its heyday, it was said to produce a staggering 260bhp

Under the bonnet is this fabulous 3.3-litre V12 engine. In its heyday, it was said to produce a staggering 260bhp

The interior of the car is retained in exceptionally good condition for its age. Bonhams predicts it could sell for close to £1million next month

The interior of the car is retained in exceptionally good condition for its age. Bonhams predicts it could sell for close to £1million next month

The interior of the car is retained in exceptionally good condition for its age. Bonhams predicts it could sell for close to £1million next month

The Legends of the Road Sale will feature an exclusive array of exceptional motor cars which represent the crème de la crème of collectors’ cars. 

The sale will be conducted from Bonhams headquarters in New Bond Street, London, in a ‘Live and Online’ format that was pioneered last year due to the pandemic.

It features the auctioneer on the rostrum with the sale live streamed to a worldwide audience the auction house’s website.  

CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

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