Vehicle Description
Aston Martin and Carrozzeria Zagato
The relationship between Aston Martin and Carrozzeria Zagato may
seem like a romantic dalliance rekindled every few years leading to
the creation of an exquisite limited production supercar, yet it
wasn't always this way. In fact, the very first pairing of the two
in 1960 was an extremely practical concern. At the time, John Wyer
was the Race Department Manager for Aston Martin and had
successfully turned the DB4 into a proper GT race car by shortening
the wheelbase and removing significant weight. Yet Wyer, who would
go on to lead the Gulf Ford GT40 and Porsche 917 programs, thought
the DB4 GT could go one better.
Enter Zagato and Ercole Spada. The Milanese design house and
coachbuilder enlisted the then 23-year-old Spada to clothe the DB4
GT in thin aerodynamic aluminum Superleggera coachwork, reducing
weight further and, while likely not part of the design brief, yet
completely expected, created one of the most beautiful sought-after
GT racers of all time. Since setting the tone from its debut at the
1960 London Motor Show with the DB4 GT Zagato, the combination of
Aston Martin the constructor and Zagato the carrozziera has carried
forth throughout the decades, sometimes polarizing, often
theatrical, and always lusted after.
1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation
Yes, the DB4 GT Zagato is a spectacularly pretty design, furthering
Touring's standard DB4. As the saying goes, "What's fast is
beautiful," and the DB4 Zagato was certainly both. Powering the
early 1960s racer was an uprated Tadek Marek-designed 3.7-liter
straight-six with an increased 314 horsepower over the standard
240. The lightweight racer was perfectly created for early 1960s GT
and endurance racing yet, so too were the Ferrari 250 GT SWB and
250 GTO which often played the foil. The life of a top-level racing
car is often a short one and no matter how attractive, production
numbers are often low. Only 19 examples of the Aston Martin DB4 GT
Zagato were produced in period, yet nearly 60 years later, the
flame between the two companies would reignite in the form of 19
additional DB4 GT Zagato Continuations, inspired by the 100th
anniversary of Carrozzeria Zagato.
Announced at Audrain's Newport Concours in October 2019, the DBZ
Centenary Collection would combine both old and new in myriad ways.
The collection pairing comprises a track-only DB4 GT Zagato
Continuation and a contemporary DBS Superleggera-based DBS GT
Zagato that retailed at an impressive £6.1 million. All 19 pairs
were quickly snapped up. Those fortunate enough to place an order
for both were notified that the DB4 GT Zagato would be delivered
first-but not before artisans and craftsmen at Aston Martin's
Heritage Division would invest 4,500 labor hours in each. Aston
Martin took great pains to describe the great efforts expended to
properly capture the essence of the originals stating that, "Each
of the 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars are being built at Aston
Martin Works to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir
David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic
application of modern engineering advancements and performance
enhancements."
As the first piece of the DBZ Centenary Collection, the build
specification book forms a photographic record of this DB4 GT
Zagato Continuation, chassis number DB4/GT/0239/L, from start to
completion. It reveals the Zagato's 1.2-mm thin aluminum body is
finished in Caribbean Pearl (PPG 1318BB), a timeless period-correct
shade that today, often appears on modern Astons that emerge from
the Q division. Furthermore, the left-hand-drive Zagato was
outfitted at Newport Pagnell with an Obsidian Black Semi Aniline
upper leather interior with lower elements upholstered in Connolly
Blue leather and Blue carpeting. Period correct Smiths gauges are
set within a black crinkle finished dashboard framed with a
wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel. Intended for the track like
the first DB4 GT Zagatos-yet offered with a Florida title-the
integrity of the car is maintained by a lattice-framed roll cage
and for the occupants, the carbon fiber seats are perhaps the only
overt displays of modernity in the entire package. Elsewhere, the
changes from the original are extremely subtle. Engine displacement
is raised by a full liter from the original, now sweeping 4.7
liters. Engine power is raised to an impressive 390 horsepower at
6,000 rpm (an increase of 76 from the original 3.7-liter unit) with
torque now an equally impressive 360 lb-ft. The rest of the
technical package follows suit with a similar clear direction. The
competition-specification four-speed gearbox is non-synchronized,
the heim-jointed suspension provides detailed feedback through the
silver-painted Borrani wire wheels with jewelry-like polished
lips.
Offering stunning looks, build specification, and performance in
equal measure, chassis number DB4/GT/0239/L epitomizes the soul of
both Aston Martin and Zagato. Offered with a current Florida title
with just 63 test and delivery miles at the time of cataloging, it
is the polar opposite of a board room decision and the antithesis
of assembly line production. It is an unprecedented opportunity to
acquire a true limited production hand-built automobile created
with all of the skill, patience, and personality of its illustrious
forbear.
2020 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato
The 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera received such unanimous
praise it would seem the odds of improving it to be nil-yet the
same was likely said about the DB4 GT before Zagato entered the
picture. It's easily understandable. In its "standard" form the
grand tourer with sports car athleticism offers an exceptional 715
horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12, that
transports the carbon fiber-bodied lightweight from a standstill to
60 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds on the way to an incredible
top speed of 211 mph. Furthermore, it features a riveting shape
that exudes both form and function with effortless style almost
expected from any Aston Martin.
Zagato once again faced the challenge of crafting a special version
of the DBS that lived up to the prestige of their name for the DBZ
Centenary Collection. Yet, that is precisely what they have
achieved. The new Aston, named the DBS GT Zagato, forms the second
half of the DBZ Centenary Collection with production restricted to
just 19 pairs.
The DBS GT Zagato features Zagato's signature double-bubble roof-an
iconic design feature originally intended to make room for a racing
helmet. On the DBS GT Zagato, carbon fiber stretches seamlessly
from the windshield edge to the rear, where a rear window is
replaced entirely by cameras and video displays for rear
visibility. Echoing Zagato's signature styling, the hood also
features the double-bubble motif. Bold rear haunches enhance its
aggressive stance, while a reimagined version of Aston Martin's
iconic grille and unique aluminum wheels designed specifically for
this model complete its striking appearance. Just as in the DB4 GT
Zagato Continuation, engine power is increased over the standard
model with the contemporary DBS GT Zagato now pushing 760
horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque from its 5.2-liter twin-turbo
V12 power unit through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to
the rear wheels. The interior features several "firsts" for the
automaker including configurable carbon and metal 3D-printed
interior finishes representing "...the pinnacle of traditional
Aston Martin material craft, combined with pioneering technological
innovation."
Naturally with such a success on their hands, Aston Martin and
Zagato ...for more information please contact the seller.