Aston Martin V8 Zagato: Difference between revisions

| production = 1986–1990<br/>(89 built)<ref>{{cite book|title=Aston Martin|last=Edwards|first=Robert|year=2004|publisher=Haynes Publishing|location=Sparkford|isbn=1-84425-014-8|page=123}}</ref><br/>(52 coupés)<br/>(37 convertibles)

| body_style = 2 door [[coupé]]<br>2 door [[convertible]]

| engine = 5.3 L (5341 cc) ([[V8 engine|V8]])

The model '''V8 Zagato''', by [[Aston Martin]], was a [[grand tourer]] of the 1980s. Just fifty two examples of the [[coupé]] and thirty seven of the [[convertible (car)|convertible]], were built between 1986 and 1990. The coupé was first unveiled at the [[Geneva Motor Show#1986|1986 Geneva Motor Show]], and orders were quickly taken, despite only showing the ''drawing'' of the car.

The decision to build the later convertible was controversial – all fifty two coupés had already been purchased at the height of the [[supercar]] speculation market, and owners felt that producing additional cars would lower the value of the coupés. The convertibles consistently fetch higher prices than their roofed brethren.

The V8 Zagato, as the name suggests, was based on the [[Aston Martin V8]] but with the body by the famed [[coachbuilder]], [[Zagato]].

[[File:1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato in Gladiator Red, rear right (Greenwich 2019).jpg|left|thumb|1987 V8 Zagato (rear view)]]

The design was an angular modern interpretation of the [[Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato]] of the 1960s. The squared off grille was especially controversial. The Zagato was powered by a {{Convert|430|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} [[V8 engine|V8 Engine]], with twin choke [[Weber carburetor|Weber carburettor]]s. The all alloy car could hit 300&nbsp;km/h (186&nbsp;mph).

It was a luxurious car, with the price tag of US$156,600 at the time, but with the high rarity, and being released at the supercar price boom, of 1987 to 1990, by the end of the decade, the car was changing hands for £450,000. The later convertible, sold for $171,000.

The famous comedian, [[Rowan Atkinson]], purchased the first right hand drive car, which was produced in 1988, chassis number ''20013'', and had it converted to ''Aston Martin Owners Club'' Racing Series C2 Specifications. He crashed it in July 2001 whilst competing at an enthusiasts’ meeting, but walked away unhurt.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atkinson unharmed after car crash|work=BBC News|date=9 July 2001|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1430754.stm|access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref>

Conversion was undertaken by ''Aston Martin Works Service'' and total rebuild cost, was around £220,000 GBP. The famous Tadek Marek 5.3 V8 Engine was reworked to produce an estimated {{Convert|482|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} carrying unique "580XR" designation.

It retired from racing in 2007, and Atkinson subsequently sold it at the auction ''Aston Martin Bonhams'' in [[Newport Pagnell]] on 17 May 2008, for £122,500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/15663/lot/316/|title=The Rowan Atkinson 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Coupé|last=Pagnell|first=Newport|date=17 May 2008|website=Bonhams|accessdate=16 February 2018}}</ref>

*{{cite book|editor-first=Sujatha|editor-last=Menon|title=Super Cars, Classics of Their Time|publisher=Quintet Publishing|year=2004|isbn=0-7607-6228-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/supercarsclassic0000unse}}