Exotic and quixotic: a history of Aston Martin and Zagato

Italian styling house Zagato has been collaborating with Aston Martin for nearly six decades. As we’ll see, the results are some of the most exotic, exclusive and expensive supercars ever made.

Zagato recently celebrated its 100th birthday with the DBZ Centenary collection (pictured above) and new V12 Heritage Twins. But first, let’s take a Tardis back to 1961…

1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Marking the beginning of this 59-year collaboration is the legendary DB4 GT Zagato. It was a racing hot-seat for stars like Jim Clark, and is a better-than-gold investment today. Just 20 original DB4 GT Zagatos were built, making this one of the rarest Aston Martins ever.

1986 Aston Martin V8 Zagato

The V8 Zagato is one of the more challenging-looking cars yielded by this collaboration. Based on the brawny Aston Martin V8 of the era, it came in both coupe and open-top Volante configurations. Figures of 436hp and 186mph were seriously impressive in 1986.

2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Zagato

The long-serving DB7 was winding down 2002, but was the first Aston Martin to be sent out in Zagato style. The DB7 Vantage Zagato brought back the gaping mouth grille and prominent ‘double bubble’ roof.

2003 Aston Martin DB AR1

The DB AR1 was essentially an open-top version of the DB7 Zagato. However, it wasn’t originally part of the plan. The ‘AR’ stands for American Roadster, and rapturous demand from overseas collectors forced its hasty creation. Like the coupe, it was only offered with an automatic gearbox.

2004 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato

This may be the rarest of all the Zagatos, given it was a one-off concept. Based on the Vanquish, it’s also one of the prettiest. A missed opportunity? Aston Martin never offered the original Vanquish in open-top Volante guise, after all.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

This was the first Zagato since the DB4 GT to be built with motorsport firmly in mind. A competition version of the Vantage-based V12 Zagato famously raced at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Road cars followed in 2012 – and later provided inspiration for the V12 Zagato Heritage Twins (coming up).

2013 Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Zagato

Like the V8 Zagato, the DB9 Spyder is nothing if not visually challenging. Little of the original Aston Martin design is left intact, although that angular front end does evoke the ‘wedge’ Lagonda.

2013 Aston Martin Virage Zagato Shooting Brake

The Virage Zagato Shooting Brake takes remodelling to a whole other level, with an extended roof and hatchback tailgate. We reckon it’s the most interesting and desirable and interesting of Zagato’s Aston Martin ‘Centennial Trilogy’.

2013 Aston Martin DBS Zagato

As with the DB7, the Zagato version was something of a swansong for the DBS. It looks virtually identical to the Virage and DB9, but is distinguished by chrome strips that frame the bonnet and side windows, plus a double-bubble roof.

2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato

This Zagato is one of the coolest. The Vanquish S underneath used the last naturally aspirated Aston Martin V12 – worth the asking price alone – while the cabin was gorgeously bespoke.

2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake

This is top of our Zagato wishlist. The Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake has an estate body style similar to the Virage. There aren’t many load-luggers more welcome in Monaco’s Casino Square.

2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

Nonetheless, the Speedster is arguably the most special of the Vanquish Zagatos. Just 28 were made, compared with 99 apiece for the coupe, Volante convertible and Shooting Brake. Even here, there is a hierarchy.

2019 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato

Last year’s DBS GT Zagato is based on the bombastic DBS Superleggera, serving up 760hp from a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12. Many of its details – including the side strakes and badges, plus parts of the wheels and interior – are made from 18-carat gold. However, the £6 million price tag did include another car…

2019 Aston Martin DBZ Zagato Centenary Collection

The DBS doubles up with a ‘continuation’ of the classic DB4 GT Zagato, built by Aston Martin Works. The cars are sold as a pair in the DBZ Zagato Centenary Collection. Left for weekdays and right for weekends, we reckon.

2020 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins

We conclude with the latest Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration. As their name suggests, the Heritage Twins are also sold as a pair – this time for a slightly more affordable £1.75 million. Both the coupe and Speedster are bodied in carbon fibre, with a tuned 600hp V12 providing a punchy power-to-weight ratio.

2020 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins

Interestingly, the Heritage Twins are made in the UK by R-Reforged (the Swiss-owned company that also builds Ian Callum’s ‘Vanquish 25’ project). Buyers can choose matching specifications, or two completely different cars. Stay tuned for a review in 2021.