Wednesday 16th September 2009

Elio Zagato Dies Aged 88

Son of company founder dies in year of coachbuilder's 90th anniversary

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Elio Zagato, the son of Ugo Zagato who established the famous coachbuilders in 1919, has died aged 88.

After joining his father's struggling business in 1946, Elio became instrumental in the 'second generation' Zagato cars, which focused on developing the notion of the Gran Turismo, for racing and for road use. Many credit Elio with saving the marque from collapse around this time, and continuing to produce stunning designs even after Ugo's death in 1968.

The list of cars that came out in this era reads pretty impressively, with such gorgeous shapes as the Fiat 8V Elaborata Zagato, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato, the extremely rare Jaguar XK140 Zagato Coupe, Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupe, and the amazing 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Zagato all penned around this time.

Elio was also successful in the motorsport scene around this time. A true gentleman racer, he drove Zagato-built cars to 82 race victories (out of 150 entries), and five GT Championship titles.

As well as stunning coachbuilding work with cars from various marques, under Elio's stewardship Zagato was also responsible for several innovations in car design, including the 'coda tronca' style truncated tail, the 'double bubble' roof (now making a comeback in several recent designs from other marques), plexiglas windows, and a focus on wind-cheating aerodynamics.

2009 marks the 90th anniversary of the Zagato brand, and our thoughts today are with the Zagato family, their friends and employees.

Elio with Ada Pace at Monza in 1961	1971 Lancia Fulvia
1954 Fiat 8V Elaborata Zagato	1956 Ferarri 250 GT Zagato

 

[Dr Imran T]

Shame, some lovely cars there.

RIP

[DeltaEvo2]

Legend of car design.

[bertelli_1]

My favorite coachbuilder, having produced most of the beautiful cars on our planet. RIP.

[G4HKS]

I hade a Zagato SZ once, bonkers looking car!

[fathomfive]

G4HKS said:

I had a Zagato SZ once, bonkers looking car!

I absolutely love those cars. I will have one someday.

[jaisharma]

(unrelated post) is it just me or are there quite a few spelling errors? Caption for the picture on this article says Ferarri, and on another the headline says "Briatori".

[toohuge]

Shame. Zagato have produced some of the best most beautiful cars in the world.

[jamieboy]

Sad news indeed.

Just as sad as it was yesterday: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[adycav]

I didn't realise what an accomplished racer Sig. Zagato was.

RIP

[LooseCannon]

jamieboy said:

Just as sad as it was yesterday

It's the satellite delay from Jalopnik

[pSyCoSiS]

RIP to a legendary icon.

[xblade]

The astonishing beauty of the Aston Martin DB4GT Berlinetta 1962, opened my eyes to Carozzeria Zagato, RIP to an icon and sporting gentleman and viva the memory that sparked boyhood motoring dreams!