You can purchase a 'new' 1990 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato.

      Nicholas Mee

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      Although it no longer featured Sean Connery as its spokesperson and its Bulldog prototype failed to draw in engineering business, Aston Martin entered the 1980s with a sense of assurance. The geometrically designed Lagonda sedan did not quench the brand’s thirst for bold design, prompting a collaboration with Zagato. The Italian coachbuilder, known for adorning Aston chassis with curvaceous bodywork and double-bubble roofs, delivered a distinctive creation.

      The V8 Vantage Zagato was markedly different from the Zagato-bodied DB4GT of the 1960s, just as the then-new brick cell phones contrasted sharply with the rotary-dial models used by Connery’s Bond to contact headquarters. Yet, it belonged to its era, and for those wishing to revisit that time, a nearly new V8 Vantage Zagato is available through brand expert Nicholas Mee. It has only 600 miles on the clock, with 250 of those accumulated during road tests for its re-commissioning. The term “restoration” doesn’t quite apply to a car that has remained virtually untouched since its production.

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      The 1980s and early 1990s represented the final flourish for limited-edition specials from Italian coachbuilders. Before manufacturers began to internalize more of that production, Zagato produced a trifecta including the V8 Vantage reskin, the Alfa Romeo SZ, and the Delta-based Lancia Hyena. All three featured styling that was more striking than aesthetically pleasing built on pre-existing platforms. True to its name, the V8 Vantage Zagato was constructed on a Vantage chassis, yet the final product was about a foot shorter than the standard Aston version, although it shared the same wheelbase.

      Aston Martin transported complete chassis to Milan, where they were outfitted with predominantly aluminum bodywork (with fiberglass front and rear fascias) to reduce weight, while flush-fit glass and a sleeker design contributed to lower drag. The 5.3-liter V8 engine carried over from the conventional Vantage, but the Zagato was equipped with the “X-pack” specification, delivering 432 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque—making it the most powerful production Aston engine at the time. This setup allowed the Zagato to achieve a claimed top speed of 186 mph.

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      Nicholas Mee

      The Zagato was first unveiled in concept form at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show, with production commencing two years later. Only 50 coupes (along with two prototypes) were manufactured, in addition to 37 Volante convertibles. Due to either lengthy production times or sluggish sales, although this vehicle was assigned a build slot in 1987, it didn’t receive registration until 1990. It has had three owners, none of whom spent much time driving it.

      Aston Martin occasionally engages Zagato for limited-production models, but those tend to be more understated compared to this Reagan-era partnership, often not involving complete reskinning. This aspect enhances the uniqueness of the 1987 V8 Vantage Zagato.