Aston Martin V8 Zagato

Infobox Automobile


name=Aston Martin V8 Zagato
manufacturer=Aston Martin
production=1986–1990 89 built [cite book |title=Aston Martin |last=Edwards |first=Robert |year=2004 |publisher=Haynes Publishing |location=Sparkford |isbn=1-84425-014-8 |pages=123] 52 coupés 37 convertibles
predecessor=Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
successor=Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
class=GT car
body_style=2-door coupe
layout=FR layout
engine=V8 5341 cc__NOTOC__The V8 Zagato model Aston Martin was a GT car of the 1980s. Just 52 examples each of the coupe and 37 of the convertible were to be built between 1986 and 1990. The coupe was first unveiled at the 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 52 coupes had already been purchased at the height of the supercar speculation market, and the convertibles were to remain more desirable than their predecessors.

The V8 Zagato, as the name suggests, was based on the Aston Martin V8, but with a body by the famed Zagato coachbuilder. 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 430 hp (321 kW) V8 engine with twin-choke Weber carburettors. The all-alloy car could hit 300 km/h (186 mph). It was a luxurious car, with a 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.

References

*cite book | author=Sujatha Menon, ed. | title=Super Cars, Classics of Their Time | publisher=Quintet Publishing | year=2004 | id=ISBN 0-7607-6228-7