' 2 VEV ' – The Most Valuable British Car Ever?
The Essex Racing Stable team 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato '2 VEV' is the most celebrated of all of the Newport Pagnell marque's early 1960s Grand Touring cars, and arguably the most important of all of Carrozzeria Zagato's creations. It is one of only two of the legendary 'VEV' quasi-works cars, and one of only three configured in the ultra-light DP209 specification. If that were not enough, it was also driven, in period, by the legendary racing superstar Jim Clark and comes from long-term, single-family ownership of nearly 50 years. These are attributes that none of the other 18 DB4GT Zagatos can boast.
A truly great car is judged by the company it keeps, and '2 VEV' raced internationally throughout 1961-62 against rival Ferrari 250 GT SWB and Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinettas, vehicles which now count amongst the most valuable cars in the world. '2 VEV' was campaigned by owner John Ogier's Essex Racing Stable team as a quasi-works Aston Martin entry against some of the most notable grids ever assembled in GT World Championship history. Driven by Clark, two-time Formula 1 World Champion and winner of the world's richest single race, the Indianapolis 500, this is a 'DP209' lightweight version of the already rare Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato model, of which only 19 were made.
Clark most notably drove '2 VEV' for John Ogier and Aston Martin to confront the Ferraris in the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Goodwood in both 1961 and 1962. He brought the car home fourth behind contemporary team leader Roy Salvadori's sister car '1 VEV' in the 1961 race, but in 1962 he became involved in a multi-car accident. Just after re-joining the race following a pit stop, the future World Champion spun at Madgwick Corner in the path of race leader John Surtees's Ferrari 250 GTO. The two cars collided and crashed into the safety bank, only to be joined a few laps later by Robin Benson's Ferrari 250 GT SWB which careered into both of them. The scene, involving three of the most valuable 1960s motor cars in today's market, has become one of the most celebrated and extraordinary images.
Bonhams will be offering this important 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato – '2 VEV' at their upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on the 13th July. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos courtesy of Bonhams.