Lot 336: Aston Martin DB7 Zagato Coupé

Co-judges at California's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2001, Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, and Andrea Zagato, of the eponymous Italian design house, conceived the idea of an exclusive sportscar recalling the beautiful DB4GT Zagato, a mere 19 of which were made in the early 1960s. (Arguably the most desirable of post-war Aston Martins, the DB4GT Zagato captured the imagination of enthusiasts like few cars before or since, a state of affairs that led to its resurrection in the late 1980s/early 1990s when a further six cars were sanctioned by the works). The model chosen as the basis for the two companies' new joint venture was the DB7 Vantage supercar. 'But we don't see it as really retro,' commented Aston Martin's Director of Design, Henrik Fisker, explaining: 'We see it as more of a Zagato in the tradition of Zagato and Aston Martin. The idea of this car was, like the original DB4 and DB4GT Zagato, for the DB7 and the DB7 Zagato to have a relationship in design. So you couldn't go off in some futuristic direction.' Like its illustrious predecessor, the DB7 Zagato has a shortened wheelbase and only two seats, but unlike the DB4GT Zagato, which was a lightweight 'homologation special' for competition use, its 21st Century equivalent was conceived as a luxury grand tourer. The DB7 Zagato was styled at the Italian carrozzeria's Turin base by Nori Harada, a pupil of the famous Ercole Spada, designer of the DB4GT Zagato. Given the extent of Zagato's planned alterations, the car was based on the strengthened open-top bodyshell of the DB7 Volante. Bodies were despatched to Turin for shortening and altering to incorporate Zagato's trademark 'double bubble' roof before returning to Aston Martin's Bloxham factory for trimming and finishing. Sleek and muscular, the DB7 Zagato, with its referential grille, long bonnet and truncated tail, marked a return to the styling that made the DB4GT Zagato an all-time classic. Shorter, lighter and with its 6.0-litre V12 engine delivering a maximum output of 440bhp, 20bhp more than the standard DB7 Vantage, the Zagato offered superior performance. The suspension and brakes also were upgraded, while the interior - Spartan yet comfortable like that of the DB4GT - boasts unique untreated leather upholstery, designed to wear and age around the owner. 'When you grow with the car it becomes yours,' explained Fisker. 'You have a relationship with your car, it becomes your car like your shoe, it fits you after a while.' In July 2002 the DB7 Zagato was unveiled to selected potential customers at an exclusive preview at Savile Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes. The launch price was set at around £170,000 (approximately $254,000) with production limited to just 99 units for delivery in 2003, thus guaranteeing their status as collectible classics of the future. In August 2002 the car was presented at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California alongside two DB4GT Zagatos, before making its official debut at 'Mondial de l'Automobile' in Paris in September. Number '76' of the 99 cars produced, this right-hand drive DB7 Zagato was delivered new via Stratstone of Wilmslow to the current owner in the UK, priced at £165,560. The car was delivered with the optional 'metallic pack', power-fold mirrors, heated front screen, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and lambs' wool over-rugs. Finished in Mercury Silver with Charcoal leather interior, it has covered a mere 11,000-or-so miles only and is presented in excellent condition throughout. The vehicle comes with sundry service bills and Swansea V5 registration document, and is offered for sale freshly serviced and MoT'd.