As the story goes, it was at the September 1958 unveiling of the DB4 when Marcel Blondeau, Aston Martin’s leading dealer in France, told John Wyer that it was essential for the marque to build a GT car to beat Ferrari.

In reality, however, Wyer had ordered the development of a DB4GT prototype, known as DP199, as early as May of that year.

Convincing David Brown that such a car would not take time or money away from his pet projects of Formula 1 and the new four-door Lagonda was difficult, but after the success of the DB4 launch – with Blondeau’s urging – David Brown agreed.

The design team, instructed by Wyer to make the DB4GT ‘cheap and cheerful’, began work by looking at the DB4 chassis and removing five inches just behind the front seats.

Though the prototype was heavier than the production DB4, in production the team managed to remove 185 lbs.

– much of this saved by utilising 18-swg magnesium-alloy body panels.

Additionally, the rear side glass and rear window were made of P...