Footnotes

With the introduction of the Vantage Zagato, Aston Martin renewed its association with one of Italy's most illustrious carrozzeria, Zagato having been responsible for that most celebrated and desirable of all post-war Astons, the DB4GT Zagato. Neighbouring stands at the 1984 Geneva Salon facilitated the initial contact and by the following year the project had progressed sufficiently for Aston to accept deposits on the 50 cars planned. Part of Zagato's brief was to shed some of the standard Vantage's not inconsiderable weight, which was achieved by shortening the wheelbase and deleting the rear seats, thus creating Aston's first production two-seater since the DB4GT. The 5.3-litre four-cam V8 was to Vantage specification, producing 432bhp at 6,200rpm. The first prototype was displayed at Geneva in March 1986 and in June successfully met its design target by achieving a maximum speed of 186mph while on test with the French magazine Sport Auto.

One of the 52 cars eventually constructed, this Aston Martin Vantage Zagato was delivered new to its original owner in 1986 and was the first right-hand drive chassis. It is the Geneva Motor Show car and was originally numbered as chassis '11', which was changed to '13' post-show.

Bought by Rowan Atkinson in 1998 when it had covered only 7,500 miles, the car was immediately sent to Kingsley Riding-Felce and his team at Aston Martin Works Service for a ground-up rebuild as a competition car, for racing with the Aston Martin Owners Club. However, it was not the intention to produce a full-blown, lightweight racer; rather, the brief was to conform to the mildly modified C2 class, thus ensuring that the car could easily be converted back to road specification.

Work undertaken included a full strip down of the car and removal of extraneous items; the production of special window moulds (excluding the windscreen) enabling Perspex windows to be made; and fitting V8 Supercharged Vantage pedal gear incorporating a master cylinder servo allowing the use of twin 8-pot callipers front and 6-pot rear with the largest discs available. (This arrangement was later changed to single 6-pot at the front to facilitate the use of 16" wheels). In addition, the gearbox was stripped and rebuilt using steel synchros instead of the standard brass.

The suspension uses Eibac springs and Koni dampers all round, which are fully adjustable in bump and rebound. Experience from the Driving Dynamic programmes was used to improve the handling, with help from ex-Formula 1 driver and Lotus engineer, John Miles. The interior was left looking as standard as possible.
The heart of any car is its engine and this one's really is the 'Jewel in the Crown': arguably the last works unit of its type and the only one designated '580XR', it was built at Newport and is, we understand, in essence a 'Nimrod' engine as fitted to the works Le Mans cars of that name. Weber fuel-injected and fitted with ceramic-coated exhaust headers, it comes with the original dynamometer chart showing a peak power when new of 482bhp (probably closer to 500 horsepower now) but more importantly a solid, flat torque curve (in excess of 350lb/ft from below 4,500 to 7,000rpm). This was a personal request because, when racing, Rowan Atkinson does not like a 'peaky' engine. He told Bonhams that this Zagato's is truly amazing, possessing power and torque characteristics that would make it an exciting yet highly practical road car.
No stone was left unturned in lightening the Zagato within the regulations, maximising performance yet maintaining safety, so it now weighs 1,485kgs, compared to 1,800kgs for the standard car. Total rebuild cost was around £220,000, over and above the purchase price.

The Zagato made its competition debut at Silverstone in 1999 and was subsequently campaigned with much success, although the total number of races contested numbered only 15-or-so. Notable results include class wins at Brands Hatch, Thruxton and Donington.

When the car was retired from competition in 2007, it returned to Works Service to be reconverted for 'fast road' use. Its present specification might best be described as that of a road-legal, track-day vehicle. (When the engine was developed it was set up to meet the MoT standards of its manufacture and registration date). The Safety Devices roll cage's bracing bars were removed, but are available for reinstallation should the car be raced again, thus ensuring FIA approval. A heater has been installed to improve ventilation, while ride heights were raised by 10mm to increase ground clearance for the road. The brake discs and pads were renewed all round, with the floating rotors discarded.

Looked after by Works Service Technician, Ray Brown, the car has covered only some 300-or-so miles since its re-conversion for road use. He told Bonhams that this Zagato's engine is truly amazing, possessing power and torque characteristics that make it a very exciting yet practical road car.
The current vendor purchased the Zagato at Bonhams' Sale at Aston Martin Works Service in May 2008 (Lot 316) since when it has been professionally stored, the engine being run up to temperature each month. It is expected that the car will have been lightly serviced and MoT'd by Aston Martin Works prior to sale.
A full inventory and photographic record of the huge spares package in available for inspection. The package includes Dymag wheels of 18" diameter; the car's original 16" wheels and space-saver; the original cream leather interior including original seats; and the original bonnet and spare left and right front wings in aluminium. Moulds for the glassfibre bonnet and Perspex glazing are included also. Special instruction manuals; service voucher book; retail order form; warranty card; and beautifully prepared history files (invoices and photographic record of the rebuild, set-up and other data) come with the car.