An Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato could soon become the most valuable British car ever auctioned.

The 1961 machine is one of just 19 examples of the model, a rare collaboration between Aston Martin and Italian coachbuilder Zagato.

An attractive combination - British engineering and Italian styling

The present record for a British car is £8.8m ($13.5m), set by a McLaren F1 in August. We're expecting the DB4 to push that price close when it sells at RM Sotheby's in New York on December 10, such is its rarity and cachet.

The auction house has not offered an estimate.

The chairman of RM Sotheby's, Rob Myers, commented: "Never mind being the greatest Aston of all time, this is one of the greatest GT cars ever produced. 

"To many, it is more beautiful than the stunning Ferrari 250 SWB but it is also vastly rarer. 

"To my mind, the DB4 GT Zagato begs close comparison with the Ferrari 250 GTO, although far fewer Zagatos were built than even that. 

"It is an absolute jewel of a car and truly an opportunity that presents itself once in a generation."

Sold new in Australia in 1961, the car raced throughout the 1962 season and resided Down Under for the next 30 years, before returning to Britain in 1993.

It has since undergone a major restoration.

Aston Martin DB4s and DB5s are among the most collectible British classic cars, boosted by their connection with the James Bond franchise. A DB5 convertible auctioned for $1.2m last month.

A 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe is also up for grabs in the sale, with a high estimate of $4.5m.

The classic car market rose by 5.4% in value last month, according to figures from classic car expert HAGI.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about classic car auctions.