Wednesday, December 03, 2014

The World's Fastest Cars (3): Aston Martin V8 Zagato


Back when these came out, I thought they looked kind of fugly. But now, it is bordering on a work of art. So muscular, and it looks sort of like a Japanese car.

Aston Martin was in real financial trouble and this car saved the company. They promised just 50 of these would be made and quickly received 50 $27,000 deposits, based solely on some pencil drawings. 

The Zagato was equipped with a 5.3 liter V8 capable of producing 430 horsepower, which was significantly more than the already powerful regular AM V8. Plus, because the Z was 350 pounds lighter and more slippery through the air, it could achieve a 300 km/hour top speed. Note the hood bulge for the four Weber carbs. No, it wasn't fuel injected.

The Zagato sold new for $150,000 in 1986, and by 1989, had appreciated to $500,000!

Aston pissed off Zagato coupe owners when it announced that it would sell 25 Zagato convertibles. The drop tops only had 305 horses but retailed for $220,000.

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