Aston had intentions on racing with the DB4 right from its introduction in 1958 even though the Works racing team was disbanded after winning the Le Mans 24hour and the World Championship in 1959. A prototype car with the code 'DP199/1' was the forerunner of the DB4GT which was launched at the 1959 London Motor Show. Aston shortened the chassis by 13cm and a thinner aluminium used to reduce the body weight by 45kilos. John Wyer, who had won Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1 met Gianni Zagato at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show and a DB4 GT chassis was sent to Italy. Zagato gave the work to their new employee Ercole Spada , who it is said completed the design in just one week. Presented at the 1960 Earls Court Motor Show, the car went into production but only 19 were sold. The car was not a success on the track