Aston Martin Zagato (1989)

Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante

In 1983 Victor Gauntlett, the dynamic new boss of Aston Martin, was searching for an idea which would breathe new life in to the illustrious British marque. In March of the following year, he and joint Chairman Peter Livanos, met Elio and Gianni Zagato in Geneva and asked them to design a new Aston Martin capable of invoking memories of the now legendary and most prized DB4 GT Zagato. Their idea, to create a car so exceptional as to be considered unique, was ambitious but justified by the importance of the Aston Martin name whose glorious sporting history is no less than that of the Milan coach building firm. Zagato's effort was to be concentrated upon weight reduction and aerodynamics. The brief was that a prototype be completed within a year and the coupe be capable of 300 k.p.h. Design studies by Zagato’s Giuseppe Mittino, were commenced and in January 1985 development sanctioned. On March 1st the first production two-seater since the DB4 GT was announced. Two cars were unveiled at The Geneva Motor Show in March 1986, one displayed by Aston Martin, the other by Zagato. With snow on the ground, a third rested atop the Hotel Beau Rivage. The planned production of fifty cars had already sold out. A year later, again at the Geneva Motor Show, the V8 Zagato Volante was unveiled.
The engine was by then the well tried and tested all alloy V8. Designed by Tadek Marek, it’s first appearance was in January 1967 at the Racing Car Show in London and raced by Lola in their Type 70 Mk III GT. As is fitting for a car with a racing heritage, the Zagato was equipped with a 432-b.h.p. version of the standard Vantage power plant, which was announced as an option at the N.E.C. Show in October 1986. At that time, it was also reported that a Zagato had achieved 0-60 M.P.H. 4.8 seconds. Probably in recognition of the driving style normally associated convertible, the Volante is fitted with Weber-Marelli fuel injection. The differences are immediately noticeable. The fuel injected V8 performs in a far more controlled and refined way. This particular car was supplied new by Murray Motor Co Ltd., in Scotland. Of the 37 constructed it is car number 20. Such was the demand for exclusivity and an investment potential in the booming market of 1989 that it was once heard tell that one of this model changed hands for £450,000. As testament to that possibility, amongst the documented history file for this car is a copy of the new car order form which states that the first owner purchased this particular car for £345,000. However, all of the above aside, come and drive this car and you will discover just what makes it so very special.

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