From Revival to Reverence: The Story of a special Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight

"Driving the DB4 GT Lightweight at the Goodwood Revival wasn’t just about racing a car – it was about feeling a piece of Aston Martin history come alive beneath you."

— Tom Chilton, Birch Commercial Director

Few cars encapsulate the spirit of British motoring like the Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight. Elegant, powerful, and endlessly evocative, it remains one of the most revered competition cars of the 1960s. For Birch – where craftsmanship, preservation and performance intersect – the chance to work with and store such a car is both a privilege and a natural fit.

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A Lightweight Built for Legends

The DB4 GT began life in 1959 as Aston Martin’s answer to the rising tide of lightweight competition machinery from Ferrari and Jaguar. Only 75 cars were built, and of those, just a handful were constructed to “Lightweight” specification, using thinner aluminium panels and reduced interior trim to shave vital kilogrammes from the chassis. The goal was simple: create the most agile and competitive GT car possible while retaining Aston Martin’s unmistakable elegance.

The Lightweight versions represented the pinnacle of the DB4 GT’s development. Fitted with a twin-plug, 3.7-litre straight-six producing up to 314 bhp, the car was capable of over 150 mph – extraordinary numbers for its era. Each was individually built at Newport Pagnell, blending race-focused engineering with hand-finished British craftsmanship.

A Very Special Aston Martin

As described in its sale listing by Tom Hartley Jnr, 18 TVX is arguably the most important of all DB4 GTs.

Built in the Experimental Department as a ‘Master Project’ car and sold new to John Ogier’s Essex Racing Stable where it was raced and prepared as a ‘works’ car and driven in period by works drivers such as Roy Salvadori and Innes Ireland.

Roy Salvadori famously piloted ’18 TVX’ to a second-place finish to Stirling Moss in the Rob Walker Ferrari 250 SWB, at the 1960 Goodwood TT.

Revival of an Icon

This year’s Goodwood Revival saw 18 TVX back in the spotlight, with Tom and Max Chilton taking the wheel of the car which is now part of the family collection.

The Revival’s ethos – “a celebration of speed, style, and spirit” – is perfectly aligned with Birch’s own approach to motoring heritage. Watching the Chilton brothers in action around the famous 2.4-mile Goodwood Circuit, surrounded by a grid of similarly storied machinery, was a vivid reminder that the DB4 GT Lightweight was built to be driven, not just admired.

“It’s an extraordinary thing,” said Tom Chilton. “You feel every heartbeat of the engine through the chassis. It’s alive, mechanical, and raw – but there’s also a civility and elegance to the way it delivers its performance. It’s quintessentially Aston.”

Preservation Meets Performance

While the Goodwood Revival celebrates competition, Birch Gatwick’s role begins when the chequered flag falls. For a car like the DB4 GT Lightweight, preservation is performance – and Birch’s climate-monitored storage environment provides the ideal conditions to maintain the car’s originality and mechanical health.

Unlike ordinary storage facilities, Birch’s team takes a bespoke approach to each vehicle. Cars of this calibre require careful humidity management, battery conditioning, and gentle mechanical exercise to ensure seals, fluids, and materials remain in perfect condition year-round. With its background in motorsport and specialist engineering, Birch brings a racer’s discipline to preservation – where every detail matters.

“Looking after a car like this isn’t just about parking it somewhere safe,” added Chilton. “It’s about understanding what it is, what it needs, and what it represents. Cars like the DB4 GT Lightweight tell the story of Aston Martin’s racing spirit – we’re custodians of that story.”

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A Living Legacy

The DB4 GT Lightweight is far more than a static museum piece. Each outing, whether at Goodwood, Silverstone, or in a private demonstration, continues a lineage stretching back over six decades. For Birch, being part of that journey reinforces its ethos: cars are meant to be cherished, but also experienced.

In many ways, the car mirrors Birch’s own philosophy. Both blend British craftsmanship with performance heritage, and both serve an audience that values authenticity, precision, and respect for engineering excellence.

Looking Ahead

After a decent showing at Goodwood, the DB4 GT Lightweight is currently wintering in Birch, where it joins an exceptional collection of vehicles ranging from modern supercars to period endurance racers. With winter approaching, Birch remains a hub for collectors, racers, and enthusiasts who understand that proper care extends far beyond storage – it’s about protecting passion.

The car will be showcased in the Birch client lounge, where it will join a gleaming selection of other historic metal.

"There’s something timeless about that combination of noise, speed, and craftsmanship,” Chilton concluded. “Every time I drive it, I’m reminded that what we do at Birch is really about keeping that spirit alive – not just for today, but for generations to come.”