Monday 3rd October 2022

Aston Martin DB7 Zagato | Spotted

Ultra-rare, right-hand-drive Zagato still pretty special after 20 years...

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Is there a more hit-and-miss design studio out there than Zagato? Its highs are exceptional. Think Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale and, to my eyes at least, the Ferrari 575 GTZ. But then there are the likes of the Bentley Continental GTZ and Lamborghini 5-95, cars so, er, questionable that you start to wonder whether Zagato is just trying to wind us up. Remind you of a certain German carmaker of late?

A marmite design house, then, but as a Zagato fanboy I feel it’s my duty to show the naysayers that for every dodgy redesign there’s a truly gorgeous piece of automotive styling. And that (peculiar, I’ll admit) admiration for the house of Z all started with the car we have here: the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato. Quite possibly the epitome of a polarising design, but one I’d argue is ageing rather gracefully.

Let’s face it, the DB7 was arguably in need of jazzing up a bit prior to the arrival of the Zagato version. While the initial Ian Callum design was very pretty, the DB7 was essentially a parts bin special. It was based on the ageing Jaguar XJS, the taillights were plucked from a Mazda 323 F and bits of the interior came straight out of a Ford Scorpio. Sure, it looked like an Aston Martin, but the DB7, particularly early examples, was a far cry from the DB9 and V8 Vantage that would follow a few years later.

To help inject a little glamour back into the marque, Aston called upon its old chum Zagato to release a limited-run coupe based on the DB7. After the incredibly square V8 Zagato from the mid-1980s, the DB7 variant would take on a curvier look inspired by the stunning DB4 GT Z of the 1960s. The ultra-wide grille made a return, dominating the front of the car, along with a trio of vents at the base of the bumper serving as a nod to the original DB4 GT. The rear end was completely redesigned with new, circular taillights and a small boot spoiler. Whether you’re a fan of the changes or not, I’m sure we can all agree that everything looks better with a double bubble roof.

Given that it launched in 2002, the DB7 had already undergone some significant changes, notably the introduction of a 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12. It was lightly upgraded for the DB7 Zagato, with power rising from 420hp to 435hp, and it earned breathed-on suspension and brakes. The length and wheelbase were also considerably shorter than a regular DB7, resulting in a chunky saving of 59kg. Though it was still a GT at heart, you could at least spec it with a six-speed manual gearbox. Thankfully, the car we have here has just that.

Only 99 examples of the coupe were produced, of which only 59 came in right-hand drive, making this particular car a rare find. The Tungsten Silver finish certainly tones down the wild styling a tad, but things are extra jazzy on the inside with Royal Blue leather-on-walnut veneers. Magnificent. Of course, the Z badge certain commands a premium at £265,000, but to this Zagato fan thinks it’s worth every penny. So, what do we think then? An Aston Martin classic, or a Zagato misfire?

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SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN DB7 ZAGATO

Engine: 5,935cc V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 435@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 400@5,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 5,675
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £265,000

See the original advert here

[Bencolem]

I think the only reason you’d buy this is if you had aspirations to don a stripy blazer and attend a ‘lawn event’.

It’s just an old XK8 with a dodgy body nowadays surely. Sitting in that interior I sure wouldn’t feel like it was £265,000 well spent.

[Pommy]

2 words - panel gaps.

[Puddenchucker]

How to take one of the most elegant Aston Martins and make it uglier.

[V8 Animal]

Wouldn’t give you £26.5k for it ugly thing.

[pycraft]

I'll take it. The pictures don't do it justice; it has presence in the metal that doesn't come across here. I saw one driving around Mayfair once, and it looked like some kind of giant alligator hunting for prey.

I agree the price is silly and if I was wealthy enough to collect modded Astons I'd be starting with the Bertone Jet +2, but this would be definitely in the garage somewhere.

[whp1983]

I never understood the zagato thing….. can’t think of a model they haven’t made worse looking and so much more expensive, just don’t get it.

[Jon_S_Rally]

whp1983 said:

I never understood the zagato thing….. can’t think of a model they haven’t made worse looking and so much more expensive, just don’t get it.

I'm the same. They did make some good looking stuff many decades ago, but everything in the last 40 years has been pretty grim to my eyes. The DB7 is a lovely looking car, especially in later Vantage form, but the Zagato alterations make it looks like some kind of knock-off replica or kit car.

Looks are very subjective, so I guess some people out there must like them but, to me, they're one of the least talented design houses around.

[mynameistim]

Regarding these prices - maybe it’s because the ‘Top Gear generation’ are now old enough to include quite a large number of very wealthy people. But that might also mean this bubble will burst with the dominance of the next generation, who seem to value cars somewhere below their iPhones.

[mersontheperson]

I like this, but not that much. But Zagato have built some of the most beautiful creations I have ever seen.
I am surprised to realize that they were not universally admired as much as I thought

[Spiros115]

V12 Zagato is the modern one to have, although I don’t mind this if i was buying a DB7 is would be the GT.

[Agent57]

Ten times the price of a DB7 Vantage and one-tenth of the style.

Just because something is rare does not mean it is good.

From the same school of thought that turned the 512TR into the F512M.

It's a no from me.

[GreatScott2016]

V8 Animal said:

Wouldn’t give you £26.5k for it ugly thing.

Keep moving the decimal point left!

[Rostyle]

So the earliest mk1 Vanquishes are now hovering between £55 and £65k . If you want the look of the Zagato with more power, a modern chassis, a much better resolved exterior and interior design , this is what i would go for . Stunning . If the dim witted auto upsets you then the Aston manual conversion . You'll still be £150k better off . The Zagato is nice enough in isolation but with hindsight when you look at what Aston were about to produce for the rest of the noughties with the Vanquish, the DB9 , the Vantage and even the 4 door Rapide , then the Zagato looks like a cobbled together special .

[bluemason]

whp1983 said:

I never understood the zagato thing….. can’t think of a model they haven’t made worse looking and so much more expensive, just don’t get it.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Original is far nicer.

[parabolica]

whp1983 said:

I never understood the zagato thing….. can’t think of a model they haven’t made worse looking and so much more expensive, just don’t get it.

Came to post the exact same thing. I've got great respect for coachbuilders and the skills and nuance needed craft something exquisite onto an existing platform, but Zagato's creations just never sit right for me.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

bluemason said:

Still doesn't look better to my eyes, but what's the rear like?

[aestivator]

Is the rear bumper hanging off?

[moneymakestheworldgoaround]

A few years ago there were 4 of these parked within Mayfair

Quite cool to be able to see 4 of 99 within a relatively small area of london!

[Snubs]

parabolica said:

whp1983 said:

I never understood the zagato thing….. can’t think of a model they haven’t made worse looking and so much more expensive, just don’t get it.

Came to post the exact same thing. I've got great respect for coachbuilders and the skills and nuance needed craft something exquisite onto an existing platform, but Zagato's creations just never sit right for me.

I think they've been given free reign to modify Aston's ever since the success of the DB4 GT Zagato, which in fairness was one of the best looking cars ever made in many people's opinion (including mine). Decades of vulgarity on the back of one stunning design.