Skip advert
Advertisement

One of two aluminium-bodied Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagatos up for sale

This rare pre-production Aston Martin V12 Zagato is on the market

Aston Martin’s historic partnership with Milanese design house Zagato has been a consistent fixture of its heritage since 1961, when Zagato was first commissioned to design and hand-build a new, lightweight body for Aston’s competition DB4 GT. The partnership between the two companies is still a hallmark of the two brands, but when it comes to rarity, this specific V12 Vantage Zagato that’s up for sale is even more special.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As one of the two pre-production V12 Vantage Zagatos, this specific example differs from standard models with its hand-beaten aluminium body – a manufacturing technique that is both intensely time-consuming and technical, not to mention a direct reference to the construction method of that first DB4 GT Zagato of 1961. Full production models ditched the use of aluminium in favour of carbonfibre, which is both lighter and easier to manufacture than beaten aluminium at this production scale.

Initially built by Aston Martin as a show car, this right-hand-drive prototype has since been refurbished by the owner who bought the car directly from Aston Martin in 2016, with a re-trimmed interior and Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork replacing the original Titanium Grey.

This Zagato’s mechanical package is unchanged from the production car, featuring a 5.9-litre atmospheric V12 engine, six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, but the AM11 V12 unit in use is said to produce more than the 510bhp of factory specification models thanks to some fettling done during a mechanical restoration.

A total of 64 carbon-bodied cars were built, but if exclusivity is of the utmost importance, owning one of just two aluminium-bodied cars could make it the ultimate contemporary Zagato collector’s car.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Inside Aston Martin’s bold comeback plan – from CEO, Adrian Hallmark
Adrian Hallmark Aston Martin CEO
Features

Inside Aston Martin’s bold comeback plan – from CEO, Adrian Hallmark

With a raft of new models on the way and a ‘boring’ but vital plan to sort logistics and manufacturing, Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark goes for a dr…
2 Jun 2025
Aston Martin is first to adopt Apple CarPlay Ultra with system-wide software overhaul
 Aston Martin Apple CarPlay Ultra
News

Aston Martin is first to adopt Apple CarPlay Ultra with system-wide software overhaul

Aston Martin’s lineup will receive Apple’s long-awaited CarPlay Ultra as standard, bringing a new look and improved functionality to the range
15 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car
Audi R8 V8
Reviews

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car

The Audi R8’s launch was perhaps one of the biggest moments in 2000s performance motoring. It’s as sweet today as back then
9 Sep 2025
£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options
Used Porsche 911 Turbo
News

£200k is a lot for a new 911 Turbo so here are some used options

The new 992.2 Turbo S has supercar-slaying performance and a bona fide supercar price. Pay less for a used one and get very nearly as much performance…
11 Sep 2025
Lotus Emira Turbo SE 2025 review – a rebranded sports car with detail tweaks
Lotus Emira Turbo SE
Reviews

Lotus Emira Turbo SE 2025 review – a rebranded sports car with detail tweaks

Amidst all the current hullabaloo at Hethel, a faster, sharper Emira four‐cylinder has emerged. Could it be the new pick of the range?
11 Sep 2025