1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight Sports Saloon
- Engine
- 4.2L twin-cam inline-six, twin-plug head, triple Weber 45DCOE carburettors, ~302 bhp
- Colour
- Elusive Blue (resprayed; originally Wedgwood Blue)
Chassis DB4GT/0169/R is one of only nine factory-built Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweights and the sixth from last DB4GT completed overall. Originally delivered in early 1961 to Ernest Scragg & Sons, it was campaigned in hillclimbs and sprints by Phil Scragg before passing through one further owner and entering long-term single-family ownership from 1965. Equipped from new with a low axle ratio suited to competition, it retains its lightweight specification — perforated chassis members, aluminium panels, and Perspex glazing — and has been in the same estate since the mid-1960s, earning it the designation the 'Missing Lightweight'.
Ownership
- 2019-12-07Auction saleSold £2,100,000 (≈ $2.63M)
- → 1961-01-17Factory deliveryBrooklands (HWM)full documentation
Served as the factory-appointed retail outlet; registered the car on 17 January 1961 before onward sale to the next owner.
- 1961-02-09 → 1962-04-09Private saleErnest Scragg & Sons Ltdfull documentation
Macclesfield, Cheshire-based firm that acquired the car for Phil Scragg's motorsport use; registered under the mark 237 SPL. Car was returned to the factory in April 1962 for axle ratio and other modifications.
- 1962-04-09 → 1965-04-01Acquisition unknownAutomatic Laundry Ltd (K C Rothery)full documentation
Prenton, Cheshire-based owner; tenure confirmed by the original buff logbook accompanying the car.
- 1965-04-01 →Acquisition unknownMalcolm Crampfull documentation
Recorded as next owner in the original logbook from April 1965; held the car until his death, after which it passed to his estate. The engine was rebuilt by Aston Martin Works Service in 2007 during this period of ownership.
Competition
- 1961Loton Park hillclimbDriver: Phil Scragg2nd
One of three results recorded for this chassis in the AMOC Register, all from the 1961 season.
- 1961BARCBARC Sprint, AintreeDriver: Phil Scragg2nd
Recorded in the AMOC Register alongside the other 1961 results for this chassis.
- 1961BOCBOC Prescott meetingDriver: Phil Scragg2nd
Third of three AMOC-registered results for this chassis in 1961; Prescott is a hillclimb venue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1961ModificationAston Martin Works Service
Factory reduced the rear axle ratio from 4.09:1 to 4.27:1, presumably to better suit hillclimb use.
Change recorded on the accompanying guarantee form.
- 1962ModificationAston Martin Works Service
Car returned to the factory for fitment of a standard 3.54:1 rear axle ratio, installation of a Motorola radio, and replacement of Perspex side windows with glass units.
Works carried out concurrent with the change of ownership to Automatic Laundry Ltd.
- 2007Engine rebuildAston Martin Works Service
Engine overhauled by the official Aston Martin works facility.
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