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Aston Martin V8 Zagato

@v8zag

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89 V8 Zagato built:
51 Vantage Zagato coupe (Prototype + Pre-Production Specials + Production)
38 Volante Zagato convertible (including 1 Prototype)

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March 1986, Geneva Salon, Zagato Stand. This is Vantage Zagato Chassis No. 20013, one of 3 Vantage Zagatos at the Model Launch. Earlier this year I posted a photo of '20012' (the first LHD car) on the Aston Martin Stand. The third car ('20010', the RHD Prototype) was not within the Halls of Palexpo (the new Palais des Expositions opened in 1982) but a couple of miles away by the Lake at the Beau Rivage Hotel .... lifted by crane onto the flat roof outside the Hotel's first floor restaurant !!
Like the other 2 cars, '20013' was presented with the prototype bonnet (note the shape of the original bonnet hump/power bulge and the lack of NACA ducts), the first version of the Zagato-designed seats, and several other features later changed for production. At this stage the car was Gladiator Red over Tan (the same as '20010'). Prior to delivery to its first owner the car was brought up to full production spec and the Tan leather was re-trimmed to a Cream colour. It wasn't until Rowan Atkinson bought the car that the interior was changed to Black (as part of its conversion by AM Works Service to a race car). Today '20013' retains the Black interior, albeit with the racing seats replaced by the car's previous Zagato production seats re-trimmed from Cream to Black leather (see my recent posts).
📷 @zagato1919 #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #v8zagato_at_motorshows #v8zagato20013 by @v8zag

I was delighted to receive this photo from Michael Gauntlett (@mrmg59), one of Victor's sons. It captures the Vantage Zagato Prototype ('20010', C779 DRO) during speed trials at Le Mans in June 1986 (sporting the unique 'Stage 2' bonnet hump developed by the Team at the AML Newport Pagnell Factory specifically for those trials). After technical problems during the first trial at Le Mans, the car returned to the Paris region early in July for further trials, eventually recording a top speed of 298.75 km/h (185.6 mph). Post-trial analysis concluded that a repair to the undertray probably added a little to the drag, and a faulty distributor had reduced power output. On that basis, Victor Gauntlett's target speed of 300 km/h was considered a fair claim. Whilst the full production run of Vantage Zagatos had already sold out before the car's Launch at the Geneva Salon in 1986, this speed trial success reinforced the view that "Gauntlett's Gamble" had well and truly paid off.
📷© @mrmg59 #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinheritage #victorgauntlett #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #v8zagato20010 by @v8zag

Geneva Salon March 1987.
This was the first sighting of the Volante Zagato Prototype that led to a further 37 Production Volante Zagatos. Whilst this Show car sported a Vantage bonnet, the Press Release made it clear that the Production Volante Zagatos would be fitted with the lower-powered fuel-injection engine and revised bonnet, and not the Vantage engine and necessary bonnet hump. Other Prototype features such as the hood would also be revised.
This Prototype did, however, provide the first sight of the revised headlamp/grille panel, with the 'pop-up' headlights, the modified rear panel with the 'lip' under the rear light clusters, and the revised styling of the interior, most noticeably the door card and the centre console.
With the Vantage Zagato production run not yet complete, the revised styling of the interior was requested by a number of the customers for the remaining coupes to be built.
One other point, the car was presented at Geneva without a rear spoiler, and I have to say I prefer the lines at the rear without the spoiler.
A very special car in the V8 Zagato story, and a pleasure to find another photo of it on show at Geneva.
📷© AMX566/Matthias K/flickr
#v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #v8zagato_at_motorshows #v8zagato20042 by @v8zag

Brunei December 2001
New to @v8zag, this is Volante Zagato Chassis No. 30015, brought to you courtesy of the recent ‘leak’ of the photos of the Brunei car collection.
This car is not standard Volante, it has the Vantage front panel in place of the re-designed Volante panel (often referred to as ‘Cosmetic Vantage’).
Like the Vantage Zagato in the previous post, this Volante is finished in Vulcan Black with a Black interior, again recorded as having red piping to the Black leather seats. It is also RHD with an Auto ‘box.
@astonmartin @zagato1919 #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvantagezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartin #zagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #v8zagato30015 by @v8zag

Brunei December 2001
New to @v8zag, this is Vantage Zagato Chassis No. 20021, brought to you courtesy of the recent ‘leak’ of the photos of the Brunei car collection. Not the first time an image of this car has appeared on the internet but that was a thumbnail and not very clear.
This car looks totally standard. It is finished in Vulcan Black with a Black interior, recorded as having Red piping to the Black leather seats. It is RHD and has an Auto ‘box. It is missing the n/s Zagato ‘Z’ badge from under the side flasher.
In the next post is the matching spec Volante Zagato (although fuel-injection not carburettor).
@astonmartin @zagato1919 #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvantagezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #v8zagato20021 by @v8zag

November is looking busy for V8 Zagatos at auction, with 3 due to go under the hammer.
The final car of the 3 is Vantage Zagato '20053'. This LHD Manual car is finished in its original Javelin Grey paintwork with Black leather and carpeting.
It is due to be auctioned at the Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet in Southern France on 19 November. The car is part of the large Guikas Collection created by Jean Guikas and based close to the Circuit.
'20053' has previously been to auction - after a long stay in a major collection in England it sold at Villa Erba in May 2019 for €330K, since when it has been in the Guikas Collection.
More on this car nearer the time.
📷 © @guikasgtc #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvantagezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #v8zagato_at_auction #v8zagato20053 by @v8zag

November is looking busy for V8 Zagatos at auction, with 3 due to go under the hammer.
The second is Volante Zagato '30024', a RHD Auto car finished in Salisbury Blue paintwork, Magnolia leather with dark blue piping in the seats, and dark blue carpeting. Still in its original, fuel-injection spec with under 7000 miles recorded.
It is due to be auctioned in London on 6 November, alongside the car in my last post. Since being offered for sale at auction nearly 7 years ago (and not selling), '30024' has spent most of its time sitting in dealer showrooms, so let's hope it finds a new home and gets back out on the road.
More on this car nearer the time.
📷 © @v8zag #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvolantezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #v8zagato_at_auction #v8zagato30024 by @v8zag

November is looking busy for V8 Zagatos at auction, with 3 due to go under the hammer.
The first is Vantage Zagato '20049', a RHD Manual delivery mileage car finished in Gladiator Red paintwork, Magnolia leather with red piping in the seats, and tan carpeting.
It is due to be auctioned in London on 6 November. The car is not new to the auction scene, having been offered twice before - in 2014 (when it sold) and 2018 (not sold).
More on this car nearer the time.
📷 © @v8zag #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvantagezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #v8zagato_at_auction #v8zagato20049 by @v8zag

Volante Zagato '30029' is at Villa d'Este this weekend for the Concorso d'Eleganza. It has been entered by the new Japanese owner Hidetomo Kimura, Founder and CEO of Concorso d'Eleganza Kyoto.
The car is entered in Class G 'The Birth Of The Supercar: Latin Style Landmarks', alongside a Ferrari F40, a Lamborghini Miura P400 S, and the Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Prototype Walter Wolf Special (just visible in the photo).
📷 © @therealbrettberk #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvolantezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #villadeste #concorsodeleganza #hidetomokimura #concorsodeleganzakyoto #v8zagato30029 by @v8zag

Villa d'Este 21 May 2016.
Throwback to the 2016 Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.
This RHD Manual Vantage Zagato, Chassis No. 20011, is one of 4 Pre-Production Specials ('20010' to '20013'), all of which were finished in Gladiator Red paintwork.
The owner was invited to enter this car in Class H 'Driven by Excess - From Glam Rock To New Wave' alongside 3 Lamborghinis, a Ferrari Testarossa Spider and the Rolls-Royce Camargue Beau Rivage seen in this photo. The following year '20011' appeared at the London (City) Concours.
This weekend the Concorso d'Eleganza will finally return to Villa d'Este, the first such event since May 2019. Once again there will be a V8 Zagato represented, entered by a Far East owner with strong Concorso d'Eleganza interests ! Photos to follow as I receive them.
📷 © Baggy’s World/flickr #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvantagezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #tbt #villadeste #concorsodeleganza #concorsodeleganzavilladeste #v8zagato20011 by @v8zag

Brooklands 23 September 2006.
Fifth in a series of posts looking back 15 years at the special display of V8 Vantage and Volante Zagatos brought together by the Aston Martin Owners Club @amochq to mark the 20th Anniversary of the start of production. AML and Zagato went on to build a total of 89 V8 Zagatos (51 coupes and 38 convertibles). Many thanks to @astonmartin_db7gt who very kindly sent the photos to me.
This photo shows a rare spec for a Volante Zagato. The LHD Manual car, Chassis No. 30008, is finished in its original Lightning Silver paintwork and Dark Blue leather. Although it carries one of the lowest chassis numbers it was one of the last cars built. It was originally built with the standard Volante Zagato front panel (as per the car in my last post) before having a Vantage Zagato front panel fitted (not just a 5 minute job !!). The cars in this spec, of which there are only a very small number, are often referred to as Volante Zagato (Cosmetic Vantage). The next stage would of course be the full Vantage conversion with the 'X-Pack' carburettor engine and bonnet .... but those are not as rare !!
@astonmartin_db7gt #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvolantezagato #volantezagatocosmeticvantage #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #brooklands #brooklandsmuseum #v8zagato30008 by @v8zag

Brooklands 23 September 2006.
Fourth in a series of posts looking back 15 years at the special display of V8 Vantage and Volante Zagatos brought together by the Aston Martin Owners Club @amochq to mark the 20th Anniversary of the start of production. AML and Zagato went on to build a total of 89 V8 Zagatos (51 coupes and 38 convertibles). Many thanks to @astonmartin_db7gt who very kindly sent the photos to me.
This photo shows a superb, original Volante Zagato, Chassis No. 30017. This RHD Auto car is finished in Winchester Blue paintwork and Magnolia leather with Dark Blue piping in the seats.
From the front the re-styling introduced for the Volante Zagato is very obvious, and similar to the original sketches for the Vantage Zagato. The headlamps would be hidden within the front panel unless, as in this case, they were in use. Also, with the 37 production Volante Zagatos being sold with the fuel-injection engine rather than the curburettor engine, the bonnet no longer needed the large bulge or NACA ducts.
After-sales options for the Volante Zagato included the replacement of the front panel with the Vantage front panel ('Cosmetic Vantage', see my next post) or a full upgrade to Vantage specification including the Vantage front panel, 'X-Pack' carburettor engine and Vantage bonnet.
📷 © @astonmartin_db7gt #v8zag #v8zagato #astonmartinv8zagato #astonmartinvolantezagato #astonmartinheritage #astonmartin #zagato #astonmartinzagato #zagatomilano #zagato1919 #zagatodesign #zagato100 #brooklands #brooklandsmuseum #v8zagato30017 by @v8zag