RE: Tell Me I'm Wrong: Aston Martin V8 Zagato

[Tim.C]

legalknievel said:

Personally my favourite was with the gullwing and rocket launcher conversion.

M-m-m-m-m-ask...

[161BMW]

This Aston Martin is a cool looking car. Very unlike any other. To me resembles a cross between a 1980s concept car and a 1980s version of what we imagine cars of the future might look like with Aston Martin cues such as the front grille :-)

[Muzzer79]

I agree that the styling isn't for everyone but I think they're very, very cool.

I'd think they're wonderful things but in a contest between this and an 80's V8 Vantage Volante (POW spec) I'm taking the Vantage.

[pSyCoSiS]

Not my first choice in iconic Astons, but fk me, it has some power and performance to boot!

Didn't realise it was THAT powerful!

[rejn]

Harry Flashman said:

Zagato are pretty hit and miss though. DB4 GTZ? A classic. The DB7 Zagato, and that latest thing based on the DB9(?).

Grimish McGrim.

[rejn]

markCSC said:

The lastest one was based on the V12 Vantage



However Zagato didn't design it, Aston Martin did

Really? Why's it called the v12 vantage zagato then? (or is it not?) - genuine question.

[rejn]

briancorish said:

I remember that edition of Car magazine better than anything I've ever read since. I read and re-read it until it literally fell apart. There was also an article on a carbon fibre Countach in too..

I remember (I think I was 16) that magazine so clearly - I remember reading it through and through - it didn't quite fall apart (and I think I've still got it) - but I remember being in awe of how good that particular issue was and thinking it couldn't possibly get any better. And I don't think it ever did!!

Mention of the Pagani carbon countach brings back memories too - I must dig out the magazine and have a read again sometime - I'm sure there were other great articles too.

And Chris - I think you're spot on - great cars. I've never driven one (nor a standard AM V8) and I can't help but wonder if the 80s Aston experience might not live up to expectations!

Prices seemed to plateau around £100k for years, and even looked like there were falling for a while (I think I saw a couple of cars for sale around the £70-80k mark). I guess if the car looked beautiful it'd easily be worth many times more than it is (a quick scan of cars for sale suggests the market value is around £140k these days).

Edited by rejn on Wednesday 16th January 14:55

[300bhp/ton]

It's odd, I never used to like the look of these. But for some reason they really are starting to look rather good to my eye. Now something must have changed... my money must be on me. But I have no idea what or why..... ??

[markCSC]

rejn said:

markCSC said:

The lastest one was based on the V12 Vantage



However Zagato didn't design it, Aston Martin did

Really? Why's it called the v12 vantage zagato then? (or is it not?) - genuine question.

It was done to celebrate a 50 years since the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. They had agreement from Zagato to use the name. IIRC Zagato is now owned by a UK company as well.

[Pothole]

Hoygo said:

Typical 80's French styling.

Huh?

[rejn]

Wow - I just spotted this one, too - very cool - black on black Zagato Vantage Volante

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C231490

I thought all the Volantes had a different front end (with light covers?), but for some reason I really like this one.

[Trommel]

rejn said:

I thought all the Volantes had a different front end (with light covers?), but for some reason I really like this one.

A couple were built with the coupe front and a few more got it when converted to Vantage spec.

[NGK210]

LongLiveTazio said:

...

As an aside, was this not the issue where Car said that the F40 wasn't very good?

True. IIRC, Car was very critical of the price, Spartan cabin and the on-road ride - much too hard and skittish - and the heavy steering. Yet, on a circuit the F40 had too much pitch and body roll. Neither fish nor fowl was the basic summation.

[Podie]

For me they're "so ugly, they're cool" - in the same way the Alfa SZ appeals.

Love 'em.

[Porkie]

I like it alot. That seems very cheap at £135k

Cool car. Love the Seats.

[SprintSpeciale]

Along with Babybird, I am a believer in Ugly Beautiful. Take Sarah Jessica Parker - her face is all over the place, but you would, wouldn't you? The dissonance in her features nevertheless results in an attractive overall aesthetic. She is like one of Dali's great paintings - working outside the conventional concept of beauty, but still pleasing to behold.

As regards the car, unfortunately, to my eyes, the whole doesn't resolve the awkwardness of the individual elements.

In short, Chris, you are wrong - it's ugly ugly, not ugly beautiful.

[rejn]

SprintSpeciale said:

stuff

No no no!!!

SprintSpeciale said:

...take Sarah Jessica Parker - you would, wouldn't you?...

Um - no thanks.

SprintSpeciale said:

...it's ugly ugly, not ugly beautiful...

And no again - I think it's really purposely. It's not pretty, I grant you, but I still think it's a great looking car.

I'm glad we're all different though (but also glad I'm always right!)

I really need to do some work - been far too distracted by AM this afternoon!

[dufctubs]

rejn said:

Wow - I just spotted this one, too - very cool - black on black Zagato Vantage Volante

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C231490

I thought all the Volantes had a different front end (with light covers?), but for some reason I really like this one.

Yes my Uncles old car, Remember when I was first in that in 1993, amazing !!

[daytonarhymes]

I still have a copy of that magazine underneath my bed - being 7 at the time I was absolutely mesmerised.

288 gto is one of my all time favourite cars, certainly in my top 3. But this thing, it's actually even cooler.

[StarmistBlue400]

Tim.C said:

M-m-m-m-m-ask...

I had one of those. The series was called M.A.S.K

Had a big Peterbuilt truck too from the same series.