This family of fast, alluring and supremely elegant cars first appeared
in 1958 in the form of the 240bhp 140mph DB4. The response from the
motoring press and the motoring public was rapturous, though the price
of this handbuilt supercar was beyond the reach of all but a favoured
few. The coupe was soon joined by a 266bhp Vantage version, by the
302bhp short-chassis DB4 GT(only 75 produced) and by a convertible. The
DB4 GT Zagato, most powerful of all at 314bhp, is also the rarest, only
19 examples being made. The 1964 replacement for the DB4 was the DB5,
again offered as coupe or convertible, with standard 282bhp engine or
the 314bhp Vantage unit, and the line concluded with the 1965-70 DB6,
with cut-off tail, better aerodynamics and in Vantage form having
325bhp. All these cars remain as special and as exclusive as they ever
were, and they command correspondingly high prices based on three
factors - condition, history and most of all originality. Here James
Taylor gives full details of correct original specification and
equipment for all these cars, backed up by in-depth colour photography
of outstanding examples of all models and variants. Body panels,
external trim and badging, paint colours, interior trim, dashboard,
instruments and controls, under-bonnet components, engine and
transmission, lamps, and other features right down to the tool kit, are
all covered.
