Legendary Designs from Zagato’s Past.
Zagato, one of the most renowned coachbuilders of all time, will be honoured at the London Concours with a retrospective that traces his amazing and bizarre works. The DRVN group is hosting a class that will highlight Zagato's extensive history of avant-garde designs from the 1950s to the present. The event takes place at the Honourable Artillery Company in the city centre on June 4 and 6. The CEO of Zagato, Andrea Zagato, will be present to judge the category.
First up on the Zagato show is the 1958 Abarth 750 Zagato DB, a little car that resembles a gem. This lightweight sports vehicle introduced the world to Zagato's iconic "double bubble" roof design, an incredible feat of Italian stylistic grace and aerodynamic efficiency. Its lightweight body and powerful 750cc engine made it a fierce contender on the racecourse during that era, winning several races and awards. A vehicle that perfectly demonstrates Zagato's ability to skillfully blend performance and visual elegance.
1960 Bristol 406 Zagato
The 1960 Bristol 406 Zagato, a distinctive fusion of Italian design and British engineering, will also be on display during the event. There were just six of these Anglo Italian grand tourers made, so it's a very uncommon sight. The Bristol 406 Zagato is equipped with a 2.2-litre straight-six engine and has a sleek aluminium body, which is a hallmark of the brand. With a weight of just over 1100 kg, the Zagato was 260 kg less than the 406 standard, and it was also about a foot shorter and five inches lower. With notable improvements in top speed and acceleration, Zagato revolutionised the 406's performance and offered a sportier, more nimble driving experience.
1991 Alfa Romeo SZ
Also on show will be the 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ, popularly known as "Il Mostro" due to its striking and unusual appearance. One of the most daring road vehicle designs ever, the SZ's brutalist, angular lines and commanding presence marked a considerable departure from the typically curving Alfa Romeo appearance, demonstrating Zagato's desire to push design limits. Built on the same chassis as the dependable Alfa Romeo 75, it was propelled to the rear wheels with 210 horsepower by a refined 3.0-litre "Busso" V6 engine. There were only 1036 SZs made, and 278 convertible RZs, one of which will be on display as part of the exhibit. A unique chance to witness them side by side.
2001 Ferrari 550 Zagato
This June, another highlight of our class will be the Ferrari 550 Zagato GTZ Barchetta. In 2009, the GTZ was developed to mark the 90th anniversary of Ferrari and Zagato's partnership. The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta had an impact on the open-top design and curved body of the GTZ. It was the ideal fusion of the refined styling of Zagato and Ferrari's performance heritage, with a 5.5-litre V12 engine that generated 485 horsepower. With only three thought to have been produced, it is among the rarest contemporary Ferraris ever.
AM V12 Vantage Zagato
The 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato, one of Zagato's more recent innovations, will also be part of the lineup. In addition, this vehicle was designed to commemorate an important occasion—in this case, the 50th anniversary of the renowned DB4GT Zagato. It was designed as a contemporary take on the legendary DB4 Zagato formula, a small yet powerful vehicle that blended style with a certain sports edge. The distinctive double-bubble top and noticeably larger rear arches were among the improvements. The core of the Aston Martin was its 6.0-litre V12 engine, which could produce 510 horsepower and breathe flames. The custom body of the V12 Zagato, which combined Italian design talent with British engineering, required about 2,000 hours to complete, five times longer than that of the average automobile. It's estimated that just 65 units were produced.
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