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2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Zagato Roadster

2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Zagato Roadster

Zagato and Aston Martin: a strong alliance that goes back to the 60s with the legendary DB4 GTZ, continued in the 80s with the Vantage and Volante, and is now stronger than ever with the DB7 Zagato and AR1.

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Zagato is presenting the Roadster version of the Aston Martin Vanquish. For the first time, this Milan workshop is not giving an entirely new look to the production model, but is offering an interesting variation of the Vanquish, introducing new elements of style.

While the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato and AR1 were initially presented to customers in the form of a limited edition, immediately sold out, the Vanquish Roadster is a concept proposed by Zagato with the backing of Aston Martin itself.

Close cooperation between Nori Harada, Zagato’s Automotive Chief Designer, and Peter Hutchinson, Design Manager at Aston Martin, has resulted in this new car introducing elements that are a sharp break with the Roadster segment. A totally unique design of the rear introductes a functional modular cover system.

A hard top for winter, developed to not appear as an add-on but as an integral part that also takes in the rear. On warmer days of the year, its place is taken by a transparent hardened glass and an easily used soft cover. Developed by Zagato’s engineers, this soft top is easily and simply mounted and, when not in use, is held in the luggage compartment without taking up much space.

The car has a round rear light cluster, a tapered tail to best feature the wheelbox, a completely new rear bumper and a new transparent cover. The hardened glass, with its curvy ‘double bubble’ form, uniquely emphasises the relationship between the solid and void. It covers the luggage compartment immediately behind the seats which can be seen through the glass.

Chassis No. SVFAC13391850PP19 shown in the states under show and display purposes. Not sold at Gooding & Co’s Arizona Auction with a high bid of $420,000 USD.

Auction Description

This highly unusual Vanquish Roadster is the only example ever created and truly one of the rarest of the Zagato/Aston collaborative efforts. It is believed that this roadster originated as a late pre-production Vanquish that was used extensively for factory testing. Following the car’s modification by Zagato, it was widely featured in numerous motoring publications and on the show circuit, including non-competitive exhibitions at the 2004 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance and the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Most of this car’s 13,000 miles can be attributed to factory testing and journalist drives.

At the request of a prominent marque collector in Massachusetts, a reputable New England Aston Martin dealer imported the car directly from Zagato in May 2007. Now registered to be EPA and DOT-certified for show and display in the US, this arresting Aston Martin has received a major servicing to all of its mechanical components by a factory-certified dealership, ensuring the highest level of performance and reliability. This one-of-a-kind Vanquish Roadster possesses all of the athletic driving characteristics that have made Aston Martin legendary. Not merely a fragile show car, this Vanquish is an eminently drivable expression of Zagato styling and Aston technology. Its availability represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of the historical legacy of these two great companies.
Story by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited & Zagato, edited by Supercars.net
Story by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited & Zagato, edited by Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Concept / Prototype Car
released at 2004 Geneva Motor Show
built at Italy
engine Aluminum Alloy, V12
position Front Longitudinal
valvetrain DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed Electronic Injection
displacement 5935 cc / 362.2 in³
bore 89 mm / 3.5 in
stroke 79.5 mm / 3.13 in
compression 10.5:1
power 335.6 kw / 450.0 bhp @ 6500 rpm
specific output 75.82 bhp per litre
torque 555 nm / 409.3 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
body / frame Aluminum & Carbon Fibre
front tires 255/40ZR19
rear tires 285/40ZR19
front brakes Vented Brembro Discs w/Vacuum Assist, ABS
rear brakes Vented Brembro Discs w/Vacuum Assist, ABS
front wheels F 22.9 x 48.3 cm / 9.0 x 19.0 in
rear wheels R 48.3 x 25.4 cm / 19.0 x 10.0 in
steering Rack & Pinion w/Variable Power Assist
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
wheelbase 2690 mm / 105.9 in
front track 1572 mm / 61.9 in
rear track 1584 mm / 62.4 in
length 4685 mm / 184.4 in
width 1923 mm / 75.7 in
height 1265 mm / 49.8 in
transmission 6-Speed Manual w/Paddle Shifting

Auction Sales History

2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Zagato Roadster

2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Zagato Roadster Prototipo – sold for $660,000 One-off Zagato Aston Built for the 2004 Geneva Salon. EPA/DOT Certified for Show or Display. Fully operational concept/prototype. Only 13,000 miles from new.
Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams