To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$1,750,000 - $2,250,000
- Bespoke homage to chassis no. 0515 GT, the famous 1956 250 GT
Tour de France Zagato
- One of six examples designed and crafted in alloy to individual
customer specifications by the century-old Milan-based carrozzeria;
features Zagato's iconic double-bubble roof.
- One of two examples ordered for delivery to the United
States
- Scrupulously maintained and minimally used, with current
odometer figure of 3,678 miles
- Recognized by Ferrari Classiche as a vehicle of historical
interest; subject of feature article in the February/March 2010
issue of Cavallino magazine
To fully understand and appreciate this one-of-a-kind 2005 Ferrari
575 GTZ, we must first become familiar with the victorious
golden-age Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France by which it was
inspired-and the multi-generation Zagato family vision that created
both that car and this equally iconic contemporary
interpretation.
Of all the celebrated Italian carrozzerias that hand-formed
specialized coachwork on the postwar era's greatest sports car
chassis, perhaps none is so appreciated for its combination of
aesthetic merits and competition success as the venerable Zagato.
Tracing its roots to World War I aircraft design, the Milan based
firm experienced its first great success during the 1930s with the
coachwork for Alfa Romeo's 6C racing spyders, which competed with
tremendous results at the hands of such legendary drivers as Louis
Chiron, Piero Taruffi, Achille Varzi, and the Flying Mantuan
himself, Tazio Nuvolari.
Following postwar reconstruction, Zagato entered a golden age
during which it produced some of the most memorable and timeless
coachwork designs, spurred by the competition interests of
second-generation proprietor Elio Zagato. Often characterized by
the firm's distinctive double-bubble roof, these coachbuilt
race-ready sports cars of the 1950s were built on the chassis of
the Alfa Romeo 1900C SS, the Fiat 8V, the Maserati A6G 2000, the
Aston Martin DB4 GT, and various Abarth Coupe models. In addition
to garnering considerable success in period competition, the Zagato
versions of these cars figure as some of the most achingly
beautiful speed machines of their era or any other, attested by
their regular acclaim at today's most respected and exclusive
concours d'elegance.
Additionally, Zagato bodied five Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France
berlinettas during the late 1950s. Chassis no. 0515 was the first
of the five, being built on just the fifth Tour de France racing
chassis. Zagato created a distinctively sleek and beautiful body
for this car, with short front and rear overhangs, pronounced
bulbous fenders, an oval eggcrate grille, and a low double-bubble
roof that was set apart by a two-tone paint scheme in off-white
over dark blue.
0515 GT proved victorious in period competition, claiming two wins
and several more podium finishes through 14 sports car races and
hillclimbs over the 1956 and '57 seasons. It also eventually passed
to a handful of respected collectors who have presented it to great
effect at prestigious world-class exhibitions, and the car's resume
includes class awards at both Pebble Beach and Villa d'Este, and
two platinum awards at the Cavallino Classic. It is, without a
doubt, one of the best known and highly awarded Tour de France
examples to navigate today's premium show circuit.
All of which explains why 0515 GT was chosen by the consignor of
this remarkable feature car as the exemplar for its one-off design.
Chassis number 140719 is the final example of six 575M Maranellos
transformed by the team of Andrea and Marella Zagato with the
official endorsement of the Ferrari factory and, importantly, with
Ferrari Classiche attestation.
The 575 GTZ story began when Japanese Ferrari collector Yoshiyuki
Hayashi commissioned Zagato to transform his 575M (chassis no.
134936); he sought special coachwork that would set his car apart
from the standard factory-bodied version of Ferrari's range-leading
front-engine grand tourer. Completed in early 2006, the 575 GTZ was
presented at that year's Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza and made
an international impression. Mr. Hayashi subsequently ordered a
second interpretation, and additional bespoke examples were soon
ordered from the Zagato Atelier by discerning clients, each with
unique features and specialized interiors. Beyond Mr. Hayashi's two
cars, Ferrari would permit only four more versions to be
completed.
To retain full safety and crash certification, Zagato received
stock production 575M examples, from which they removed the
original coachwork but otherwise left unaltered, thus preserving
the original structural elements and factory drivetrain. The
chassis and critical details were then scanned into a CAD program,
where Zagato Atelier's designers would begin to propose various
coachwork forms and details based on the input of the client, who
remained integral in the styling process.
With a design finalized, new body panels in light aluminum were
formed by skilled craftsmen. The interiors were trimmed in high
quality leather throughout, observing specialized liveries selected
by the customer. As completed, these six limited versions emerged
as among the most distinctive and beautiful Ferraris of the modern
era.
Chassis number 140719 is one of just two examples ordered by
American customers for delivery to the United States. In its homage
to 0515 GT, this 575 GTZ was designed with elements reminiscent of
the celebrated TdF's coachwork, including curved fender haunches,
the prominent oval eggcrate grille, and the double-bubble roof,
which is aesthetically mirrored by the voluptuous shape of the rear
windscreen. Thoughtful references to the TdF extend to details
small and large; Zagato badges are affixed beneath the fender
vents-accented, as on the original car, with chromed trim-while the
striking tributary paint finishes, Dark Blue with an Avorio roof,
complete the exterior.
The result is, in true Zagato fashion, a dramatic departure from
the 575M Maranello. Yet the 575 GTZ is effective not because it
merely borrows vintage styling cues from a celebrated coachbuilt
Ferrari and applies them to a newer chassis. Rather, Zagato's
craftsmen have artfully reinterpreted these classic elements in a
modern context, creating a vehicle that is simultaneously a
meaningful historical tribute and a stunning, almost sculptural,
contemporary grand tourer.
The interior is a brilliant example of the finest in Italian
craftsmanship, with sumptuous tan leather trimmed throughout the
cabin. The seats, door panels, dashboard, center console, and the
steering wheel all feature the same exquisite material, while the
transmission tunnel and rear parcel shelf are upholstered in
diamond-stitched variations of the same leather. Even the blue
carpets feature borders of tan leather.
Currently displaying 3,678 miles on the odometer, this 575 GTZ has
clearly experienced only minimal road use during its ownership by
the original Zagato client. It has been carefully maintained, and
accompanying invoices document regular service at Ferrari of Palm
Beach, Florida.
This rare and distinctive modern Ferrari would make a perfect
acquisition for a marque collector searching for bespoke and
unusual expressions of Maranello's great road cars. Also the
subject of a feature article in the February/March 2010 issue of
Cavallino magazine by Ferrari historian and author Keith Bluemel,
this very special 575 GTZ is ideal for presentation at concours
d'elegance and marque gatherings, as it is a beautiful testament
t...for more information please contact the seller.