While coachbuilders such as Touring, Ghia, Bertone, Allemano and Pininfarina have all made Aston Martins, none has the resonance, or is as closely linked as Aston Martin as Zagato. Put the two together, and any aficionado knows you have something special-a machine that is sportier, more exclusive and faster than its production counterparts. Adding to the allure of the Aston Zagatos is each has been a landmark, one that happens only every 15 to 20 years.
According to Elio Zagato, Koelliker, a friend who was Aston's dealer in Milan, commissioned the DB4 Zagato. Thus began one of the most memorable chapters in Aston history. The DB4 Zagato appeared in 1960, its beautiful but aggressive aerodynamic body setting it apart from standard Astons, clearly showing its performance pretenses. The interior was comfortable yet stark, a reflection of the weight saving measures done throughout the car. This represents a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between the two firms inaugurated in the Sixties with the DB4 Zagato and subsequently consolidated with the Vantage and Volante Zagato.
Four months after the approval in Geneva, the car has been presented to a restricted number of potential customersin July 2002. After the Concours D'Elegance at Pebble Beach in August, the car is officialy presented to the market at the Paris Motorshow.The car will be produced in a limited series starting from the fist half of 2003.
The sleek and muscular DB7 Zagato is a return to the styling that made the DB4 Zagato a classic. From a grill that references the original, to the long hood, truncated tail, and curvaceous top crowned by the immortal Zagato 'double bubble' roof, the DB7Z can only be an Aston-Zagato. The interior will mimic the DB4Z in being comfortable yet Spartan, a reflection of the DB7Z's sporty nature and superior performance to the production DB7 Vantage. Strictly a two-seater, its V12's output will be superior to the production Vantage. It will have a shorter wheelbase and less weight, and the suspension will be more firm.
All the ingredients are in place for a new chapter in the glorious Aston-Zagato saga.
Company press release, last updated before 12 / 01 / 2004
The Aston Martin line-up at the moment is incredible with the DB7 Vantage/GT and Vanquish. The new V8 vantage will only add to this. But I fear the DB7 Zagato is spoiling it all. If they could not afford to pay for crash-testing an all new Zagato design, they should have scrapped the project altogether. The front just looks like a normal DB7 with a rather ugly enlarged grill. Zagato has done the best it can with what was allowed on the rear. I too like the double-bubble, but it cannot save the car as a whole. It just looks wrong. I think it is an insult to the stunning DB4 GT Zagato of 1960.
It's certainly distinctive
IBrake4Rainbows 28-11-2002
"And a complete engineering marvel in my eyes, the ""double Bubble"" roof certainly seems to add the appeal to the car. The front is bland and the grille is dubious, but the back looks chic and very ""now"" in terms of styling. I think it is a feat to retain some of the Aston character without seeming like a badge engneered special. it does it i believe. BTW the wheels look like soemthing from a Hotwheels collection!"""
big mouth
henk4 27-11-2002
Having looked for a long time at the front end of this car I only can say, and appreciating Zagato's effort to recall the previous AMZ's, that it is too big, although I am not enough of a stylist to precisely indicate which lines should change and how. The remainder of the car however is gorgeous, in particular the rear window, with its continuation of the double bubble. (Is this what DB stands for anyway in stead of David Brown?)