One to Buy: unique 8000 mile 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato
With challenging economic conditions having dominated much of the 1970s, the decade that followed ushered in a new sense of optimism that was perfectly reflected by booming sales for high end European auto makers.
In addition to increased demand for the more mainstream offerings created by these companies, the 1980s marked the re-emergence of a market for super exclusive and dramatically more expensive creations, the like of which had not been seen since the death of the coachbuilt era in the early-to-mid 1960s.
Like Ferrari, Porsche and many others, Aston Martin decided to get in on the act with an ultra low volume model of its own using the flagship V8 Vantage. In order to create something truly special, the company re-established links with Zagato of Milan for a limited run of 50 tuned, lightened and shortened two-seat Coupes.
One of these spectacular machines is currently on the market with Nicholas Mee in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Supplied new via Chapman Spooner in Aldridge, Walsall, to a Mr B.J. Lee of Medmenham, Buckinghamshire, chassis 20035 was configured in the unique colour combination of Salisbury Blue (referred to as Cobalto Blue Metallic by Zagato) with Navy Blue upholstery.
Mr Lee also specified right-hand drive and a manual gearbox. He retained chassis 20035 until 2003, at which point Nicholas Mee supplied the car to its second custodian who has retained it ever since.
Today, this fabulous V8 Vantage Zagato, one of just 32 right-hand drive examples built, is offered in exceptional original condition throughout having covered a little over 8000 miles from new.
Reprinted below is Nocholas Mee’s description:
Mileage: 8,367 miles
Previous Owners: 1
Exterior Colour: Cobalt Blue
Interior Trim: Navy Blue
Uniquely finished in factory original Salisbury Blue (Zagato- Cobalto Blue) with Navy Blue hide and matching Alcantara trim and dark blue Wilton carpeting.
One of only 32 produced in Right Hand Drive, exceptionally well preserved and maintained, by just 2 owners from new.
Now displaying a total mileage of just 8,370 miles, covered from new, last owned for 20 years and kept in ideal climate-controlled garaging. Regularly dry weather exercised, over a camera free 25-mile Sussex road route.
There’s no doubting this superb and rare Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato, should be considered ‘tick box’ in satisfying the exacting criteria of most collectors and drivers, when hunting down that elusive and best example of the model, to collect and enjoy.
Maintained and serviced by Nicholas Mee & Company, exclusively, over the last 20 years and previously by the supplying Aston Martin Agents, Chapman Spooner Ltd. This V8 Vantage Zagato remains in its ‘as built’ specification. Currently fitted with standard V8 Vantage ‘Ronal’ road wheels, the original and unique Zagato designed road wheels are currently stored and are supplied with the car.
Original documentation accompanying this exceptional Zagato, includes the original 1987 bill of sale, Aston Martin Build Record, all maintenance and service invoices, continuous MoT certificates, the original owner’s handbook, the manufacturers original period press releases and brochures contained within a Zagato presentation folder, which also contains first owner, supplying dealer and manufacturer correspondence. The original Aston Martin Zagato paint colour sample book, a copy of a 1987 Performance Car magazine road test and original press releases, further accompany the car.
Built in one of the more attractive colour combinations, this example, with its beautifully preserved original paintwork and with an unmarked interior, was last supplied by ourselves in 2003, forming part of the collection of an esteemed Aston Martin collector, known for his high standards of care and devotion to maintaining the quality of his collection, whilst also very regularly exercising each car on a predetermined camera free rural route.
Without doubt one of the finest examples of this rare model with distinctive and characteristically 1980’s styling, the V8 Vantage Zagato is acknowledged by Aston Martin aficionados and collectors of the marque as one of the most outstanding driving and performing models, from Aston Martin’s back catalogue of greats.
Today, this rare and exclusive product of a successful British and Italian collaboration, represents an interesting value opportunity to collectors, in particular when measured against peer group limited edition offerings. With Ferrari’s 288 GTO and Porsche’s 959, both limited edition supercars, manufactured in the same period and both currently commanding substantially greater figures from collectors and enthusiasts.
Complete with its comprehensive history file, owners’ handbooks, comprehensive documentation, the originally supplied tool roll, spare keys and car cover. This car is supplied inclusive of a manufacturer scheduled service, detailed preparation and 12-month warranty.
In a superb, well maintained and in excellent condition, with extremely low mileage, just 2 owners from new and in being finished in a highly complementary colour combination, we recommend to interested parties a prompt response and arrangement, to view this exceptional and rare car at our Hertfordshire showrooms.
V8 Vantage Zagato - Brief model details:
During the mid 1980’s, Aston Martin re-kindled the long-standing relationship with Italian design house and coach builders Zagato (Est. 1919), to collaborate and produce a new, limited production, extreme performance derivative of the legendary AMV8 Vantage, then the most powerful model of the AMV8 range and hailed by the motoring press, as ‘Britan’s first supercar’ on launch.
Presented to the public at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show, the Zagato bodied ‘X- pack’ engined Vantage is a triumph of form meeting function, with a reduced overall weight, a reduced frontal area, reduced overall length and flush fitting glass, collectively improving every aspect of performance, when compared to the standard Newport Pagnell production Vantage.
Launched with the most powerful V8 engine option, the ‘X-pack’ specification V8 engine, as fitted to this Zagato, produced a healthy 432 bhp, by way of an improved induction and exhaust system, fitted exclusively to this model. Between 1985 and 1987, the limited edition run of 50 production examples were manufactured and delivered, with only 32 completed in RHD.
For production, modified and basic production chassis, with rolling gear installed, were sent to Zagato, near Milan in Italy, where the chassis was bodied with hand formed alloy panels and lightweight composite materials by Zagato’s craftsmen and painted to customer specifications. The unique interiors were then trimmed and installed. The completed car was then returned to the AM factory in Newport Pagnell, for final preparation and eventual handover to their new owners.
Appreciably lighter in weight, with wind tunnel developed lightweight bodies, some 10% more power from the ‘X-pack’ V8 engine and with finely tuned suspension, all Aston Martin’s performance goals had been met and tested. In 1986 another V8 Vantage Zagato, driven by French motor sports journalist and racer, Jose Rosinski, for French Sport Auto magazine, was timed independently and recorded at a top speed of 185 mph on a closed Autoroute near Paris. The published results demonstrating the V8 Vantage Zagato to have the highest top speed, of any of AM V8 model, from the 1969-1990 production run.
Production finished in 1988, by when, 2 prototypes and 50 production cars had been built.
