Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet: Rare Italian-Designed Icon

Iconic Craft  - In the golden age of automotive design, the 1960s delivered more than just powerful machines—it was an era where artistry met engineering. With European coachbuilders at the peak of their creativity, some of the most breathtaking cars ever made were born out of collaboration between manufacturers and Italy’s finest design houses. Among the most captivating results of this period is a singular creation that marries British performance with Italian flair: the Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet was a reinterpretation of the Gran Turismo concept, a rolling sculpture penned by a young designer who would soon become a legend: Giorgetto Giugiaro. (Picture from: Bonham)

This remarkable machine came to life through a unique confluence of vision, talent, and timing. While Aston Martin had long relied on the elegant touches of Carrozzeria Touring of Milan for its DB series, there were moments when the marque allowed for more personalized expressions. In rare instances, well-heeled clients could purchase a bare chassis and commission bespoke bodywork. This freedom gave rise to creations that stand today as irreplaceable automotive artifacts.

The front of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet features a wide rectangular grille and exposed headlights that give it an assertive look, while chrome quarter bumpers and brake cooling scoops hint at the performance pedigree beneath. (Picture from: Bonham)

Years earlier, this approach had been tested when Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt, an American entrepreneur with a sharp eye for design, worked with Carrozzeria Bertone to build a small run of DB2/4s with unique open and closed body styles. Each was distinct, showcasing the experimental flair that only a coachbuilder like Bertone could deliver. But it wasn’t until 1961 that Bertone was given the opportunity to shape what would become one of the rarest and most exotic Aston Martins ever made.

The side profile of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet reveals a sharp character line stretching from the wheel arches to the tail, evoking a sense of motion even while stationary. (Picture from: Bonham)

That year, following the introduction of the DB4 Zagato GT—a track-focused variant with race-ready upgrades—Aston Martin sent one final DB4 GT chassis, numbered 0201, across the Alps to Turin. This time, however, the bodywork wouldn’t be done in Milan, but rather in the hands of Bertone. What emerged from the workshop was far from a mere variant; it was a reinterpretation of the Gran Turismo concept, a rolling sculpture penned by a young designer who would soon become a legend: Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet featured a custom, body-colored dashboard topped with black vinyl, housing a full suite of instruments including six central secondary gauges above the ventilation and radio controls, with the tachometer and speedometer positioned directly behind the polished wood-rimmed steering wheel. (Picture from: Bonham)

Unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet stunned onlookers with its sleek profile, even if the limelight was momentarily stolen by Jaguar’s headline-grabbing E-Type. Originally painted in a pale green with a subdued grey interior, the Jet stood out with a front end unlike any DB4 before it. Its wide rectangular grille and exposed headlights lent it an assertive look, while chrome quarter bumpers and brake cooling scoops hinted at the performance pedigree underneath.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet is powered by a front-mounted, longitudinally positioned, naturally aspirated inline-six engine with twin spark ignition. (Picture from: Bonham)

The detailing was meticulous. A bold power bulge on the hood featured vertical vanes, and behind the front wheels, sweeping vents added both form and function. Its side profile revealed a crisp character line that extended from the wheel arches to the tail, creating a sense of motion even at rest. The rear of the car dropped dramatically into a tailpiece adorned with unique bumperettes and bespoke lighting. This was no mere variant—it was a masterclass in coachbuilding.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet features an elegant set of vents carved behind each front wheel, with their upper edges flowing into a swage line along each flank. (Picture from: Bonham)

Inside, the Jet was just as special. A custom dashboard, color-matched to the exterior and topped in black vinyl, housed a full suite of instrumentation. The central cluster featured six secondary gauges above the ventilation and radio controls, while the main dials—tachometer and speedometer—sat squarely behind the polished wood-rimmed steering wheel. Every detail felt deliberate, from the ribbed leather seats to the standard-fit electric windows, a rarity at the time.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet features a rear windscreen that flows into a distinctive sloping tail, finished with elaborate bumperettes and bespoke single-piece lights. (Picture from: Bonham)

The story of chassis 0201 didn’t end at Geneva. Later that year, the car was refinished in blue and shown again at the Turin Motor Show. From there, it embarked on a transcontinental journey, spending years in Beirut and then the United States before catching the eye of Victor Gauntlett, the charismatic chairman of Aston Martin in the 1980s. Gauntlett’s acquisition of the Jet ensured that this one-off masterpiece remained connected to the company that had made it possible. | HiISQpnhdhA |

Today, the Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet stands as a singular example of what can happen when boundaries are removed and creativity is allowed to flourish. It captures not just a moment in time, but a spirit of innovation and bold design that continues to inspire. With its one-of-a-kind silhouette and rich backstory, the Jet remains a stunning reminder of how two cultures—British engineering and Italian design—can come together to produce something truly unforgettable. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ASTON MARTIN | BERTONE | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA | BONHAM ]

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