- The Zagato-designed Vantage is powered by Aston Martin’s 5.3-liter V8.
- Coupe is much shorter than a regular Aston Martin Vantage of this era.
- With Zagato’s influence, the car’s design has similarities to the Alfa Romeo SZ.
You may never have heard of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato, but when it broke cover, some declared it a British rival to the legendary Ferrari 288 GTO. We doubt Ferrari collectors would sign off on that comparison, yet the Zagato is significantly rarer than any 288, and one example has just hit the market. It undercut the production run of another contemporary performance icon too, the Porsche 959.
Read: 1-Of-52 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Sports Saloon Is A Show-Stealer
This particular Vantage Zagato has been listed for sale by Nicholas Mee, an Aston Martin specialist in the UK. After the car’s unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in 1985, just 52 units were built, using the chassis of the period’s V8 Vantage but with significant modifications layered on top.
A Seller With History
Nicholas Mee
Mee goes back a long way with the model, having sold the cars new while serving as Aston Martin’s head of sales during the 1980s. He says he has since handled the majority of the Vantage Zagatos built, whether as new or pre-owned cars.
The Zagato measures 12 inches shorter than a standard V8 Vantage from this era, and the smaller footprint is said to shave off roughly 10 percent of the weight. In typical Zagato fashion, the bodywork is all-new and far removed from the original Vantage, its lightweight aluminium panels shaped by the Italian coachbuilder.
What Else Is Different?
The famed design house crafted an all-new front end for the Aston Martin, complete with a distinctive grille which, at least in our eyes, hasn’t aged particularly well. Looking at the car from the side, it reminds us of the Alfa Romeo SZ, another Zagato creation launched at around the same time. Like that car, the Vantage from Zagato has black pillars and a distinctive rear window which appears as if it seamlessly transitions into the side windows.
Nicholas Mee
Power comes courtesy of Aston Martin’s 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 delivering 432 hp and 410 lb-ft (556 Nm) of torque. The X-Pack engine pushed the Zagato to 186 mph (299 km/h) and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in well under five seconds, which put it among the fastest road cars of its era.
For all its age, this one has covered just 600 miles (965 km) since new, having spent more than 30 years in a climate-controlled collection before Nicholas Mee acquired it from its previous owner.
Before hitting the market, the car went through a comprehensive restoration and recommissioning programme. Technicians rebuilt the suspension, refreshed the steering and braking systems, cleaned the fuel system and carburettors, replaced fluids, hoses, and pipes, and inspected the engine internally. They also fitted upgraded suspension, modern Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, and an updated air-conditioning system
The dealership then ran more than 250 miles of road testing to confirm the car performed as intended. According to Mee, “Having driven many of the original cars back in 1986, I can confirm that it drives as well, if not better, than a new example.”
The car also comes with all of its original accessories, among them a tool roll, owner’s handbook, jack, warning triangle, car cover, and a battery conditioner. The sale adds a 12-month warranty, a complimentary first service, and a detailed workshop inspection.
Nicholas Mee
