Description
1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato. Ex-factory, Pre-production prototype No:1
Finished in original colours of Gladiator Red with Black hide interior. This highly desirable and exciting of the V8 Vantage Zagato, is the second of 2 prototype examples built in 1985. Completed and stored for its first owner by Aston Martin themselves, before being first registered and delivered in 1988.
Recorded by Aston Martin, as Pre-Production prototype No1, this exciting and very rapid car was fitted with a leather trimmed half roll cage whilst in build and is one of only 3, delivered with factory modified carburation, uprating the V8 Vantage engines output to a true 432 bhp.
Changing hands twice during the mid 1990’s, owners maintained Chassis No:- 20011 with Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin main agents, before a long term owner purchased the car from Nicholas Mee & Co in 1999.
Whilst in the same ownership for some 23 years, this exceptional and important 1980’s supercar has been enjoyed on public roads and for occasional tours, including runs to Le Mans on multiple occasions. Temporarily imported to the owner’s home in New Zealand between 2011 & 12, chassis 20011 received a cosmetic restoration to the highest standards by renowned restorers Auto Restorations Ltd of Christchurch, NZ before being returned to the UK.
More latterly 20011 has been entered and displayed in prestigious concours events, including the famed Concorso d’Eleganza in 2016, held within the beautiful Villa d’Este, on the shores of Lake Como. That year the car was appropriated by Aston Martin themselves, to accompany the first public viewings of the new Vanquish Zagato editions. Also entered into the 2019 London Concours, this important example of the V8 Vantage Zagato, has more recently been kept in professional and climatically controlled storage, whilst being occasionally run in dry weather conditions.
Sold to its most recent owner by ourselves in 2022, it is a pleasure to once again offer to market this potent and beautifully presented example.
Offered inclusive of a comprehensive history file, containing service and restoration invoices, concours documentation, souvenir books and badges, the original bound and embossed owner’s handbooks and service voucher booklet. Previous MoT certificates, factory build data sheet and AMHT Certificate. Also included are the original tool roll, vehicle jack and space saving spare wheel.
Supplied to its next owner freshly serviced and fully prepared, with 12 months warranty and MoT certificate.
Available for viewing and demonstration now at our Hertfordshire showrooms.
The V8 Vantage Zagato - Background
Step back to the mid 1980’s, when the motoring world saw the dawning of a new type of car, soon to be known as the Supercar. Porsche, in 1986, introduced the phenomenal 959, a technical masterpiece of immense performance and technical wizardry, initially a homologation special for Rallying, Ferrari the 288GTO, a beautiful and fitting tribute to the original GTO’s of the 1960’s and an forerunner of the iconic F40 to come later. Aston Martin, not wishing to be left behind in the Supercar race, were also keen to introduce a lightweight and aerodynamic hi-performance version of their trusted 390 bhp V8 Vantage, often referred to as Britain’s first Supercar.
Turning to former partners, the fabled Italian Zagato design house, who with Aston Martin had built the legendary DB4GT Zagato, a lightened and higher performing derivative of the DB4GT, intended for international sports car racing in the early 1960’s.
The result of the collaboration, first shown in 1985, was the V8 Vantage Zagato, announced with 432 bhp and acceleration of 0 - 60 mph in under 5.0 seconds. A top speed of 190 mph was quoted. Limited to just 50 production cars the V8 Vantage Zagato is the just second and was the last Aston Martin product, to have been styled by and built by the artisan draughtsmen and craftsmen at Zagato’s facilities in Milan, before their manufacturing base was closed down.
The aerodynamically tested and purposeful body design, divided opinion when launched, although defied critics, with its now ‘supercar’ performance. The simple measure of re-distributing and reducing the total weight of the car by circa 10%, improved all aspects of handling, road holding, braking and acceleration, along with the dramatic reduction of drag from the wind tunnel tested body. A 10% gain in engine power gave the Vantage Zagato the required performance to match its supercar peers.
Now, some 35 + years after the models launch, the 1980’s styling has matured and become visually appealing, for its period simplicity and lack of non-functioning body adornment, as well as the rarity of just 50 examples. With styling overtones of other successful 1980’s Italian styled sports cars, such as Maserati’s Bi-turbo and sporting Lancia’s Beta coupe models, the Vantage Zagato has earned its place, on the roll call of 1980’s Supercars.
Built in 1985 the historically important example we are pleased to offer, is an original pre -production prototype, effectively a production example but with a twist, as this car was never used for protoyping works. Built in 1985 the car was purchased by long term Aston Martin enthusiast Wensley Haydon-Baillie, his specification including being equipped with a fettled version of the ‘X’ Pack V8 engine, a leather trimmed half roll-cage fitted, whilst in build and subtle improvements, still evident in the car.
First registered in 1988 this strikingly presented, and very rapid example has also been fitted substantially improved front suspension and Brembo braking upgrades.
Finished in its original colours of Gladiator Red with Black hide interior, this example chassis 20011, is supplied fully serviced to date and with a comprehensive service history file, Concours documentation books and badges, the original bound owners handbooks and service voucher booklet, original tools, vehicle jack and space saving spare wheel.
