Footnotes

'Such style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the most highly coveted models in Aston Martin's 98-year history. A fabulous celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.' – Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO Aston Martin, 2011.

In 2011, Aston Martin continued its fruitful relationship with the renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, most famously begun with the iconic DB4GT Zagato of the 1960s, when it unveiled the result of their latest collaboration at the prestigious Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. This was the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, a stylish coupé recalling the sublime looks of the original DB4GT Zagato. Announced on the 50th anniversary of the DB4GT Zagato's introduction, the V12 won the Concorso's coveted 'Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes'. Following this accolade, and encouraged by enthusiastic customer reaction, not to mention the competition prototypes' successful outings at the ADAC's Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen 4 Hours and Nürburgring 24 Hours races, Aston Martin announced that the V12 Zagato road car would go into production in 2012 with a strictly limited run of up to 150 examples.

Hand assembled at Aston Martin's global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, the V12 Zagato was intended for discerning customers and priced from £330,000 (excluding local taxes), with orders taken on a strictly 'first come first served' basis. Design work on the V12 Zagato had only begun in mid-2010, demonstrating Aston Martin's ability to engineer cars and bring them to production in a shortened period of time. Indeed, since the Gaydon factory's opening in 2003, 13 major new Aston Martins have been developed and successfully brought to production.

Manufacture of the V12 Zagato commenced in the summer of 2012. The newcomer was based on the acclaimed V12 Vantage, sporting a beautiful body handcrafted in aluminium and carbon fibre. Aston Martin's Director of Design, Marek Reichman, described the V12 Zagato as 'an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of the DB4GT Zagato. The organic muscular forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials'.
For a car with such ambitions, the V12 Vantage platform was the obvious choice, for the latter had already demonstrated its competition potential by winning its class in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race in 2009. It would go on to form the basis of Aston Martin's GT3 racer. Building on Aston Martin's heritage as producer of hand-made thoroughbreds, the V12 Zagato's body was crafted in aluminium using body bucks and the traditional 'English Wheel' method, delivering a beautiful and muscular design not achievable using pre-formed panels. Each of the front wings is comprised of seven separate sheets of aluminium, while Zagato's signature 'double bubble' roof requires five. This stunning body was mounted on a bonded aluminium chassis - featuring the V12 Vantage's double wishbone suspension, suitably re-tuned - while power, all 510bhp of it, was delivered by a 6.0-litre 48-valve V12 engine, reaching the road via a six-speed manual transmission. Performance was similar to that of the V12 Vantage, the top speed being around 190mph with the 0-60mph dash despatched in a little over 4 seconds.

This particular car, 'ZAG00047', was ordered by the current vendor, its sole owner from new, in the summer of 2011, as evidenced by the letter on file from Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez (dated 24th August 2011) welcoming him to the V12 Zagato programme. The Zagato was ordered in the special Fiamma Red finish, with rear spoiler in body colour and the interior trimmed in Bitter Chocolate leather and Alcantara. The owner also specified a fire extinguisher, front and rear proximity cameras, and a titanium sports exhaust with straight-through secondary catalyst pipes, which were fitted by Aston Martin Works prior to delivery.

Other noteworthy options include black-painted side strakes, personalised sill covers, and an upgraded alarm system. This car also incorporates the optional and highly desirable package of 'Q-Features', comprising full black satin steering wheel finish, diamond quilting on headlining, matt carbon exterior pack, black 'Z' badge, seat control pack from Virage (chrome), and full boot lining in Bitter Chocolate. In total, the options chosen added over £17,000 to the base price. A photographic record of the build is on file.

The car will be offered for sale fresh from an annual service carried out by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell. Accompanying documentation includes the original sales invoice, all Aston Martin Works invoices, original Certificate of Conformity, Works Service Certificate of Authenticity, EU registration certificate, and the aforementioned letter from Dr Bez. The Zagato also comes complete with a matching fitted car cover, fitted umbrella, plastic keys (x2), glass keys (x2), emergency key, original brochure, owner's manual, tool kit, First Aid kit, battery conditioner, and chromed 'Z' wing badges (x2). The original exhaust system back box and secondary catalysts are included in the sale.

Embodying the noble traditions of both Aston Martin and Zagato, the V12 Zagato combines long-standing heritage with the technology and craftsmanship of today; indeed, it is the pinnacle of the two companies' very special relationship. In the event, production fell far short of the 150 maximum envisaged, and only 61 cars were completed. With so few built, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato has fascinated collectors since its announcement five years ago, and must surely be a contender to win the classic car class at Villa d'Este in 50 years time.