Many Volante Zagatos found their way into private collections and some were sent to the Aston Martin factory to have various additional work completed to further increase performance. Just 37 examples of the Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato were built and it was clear from the outset that they were going to be highly collectible – people had seen what had already happened with the rare Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.Ībove Image: Power is provided by an Aston Martin V585 V8 engine producing 320 bhp. When ordering customers could choose from a slew of options including either a ZF five-speed manual or a Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission, and power was sent to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. The car is powered by a 5,340cc alloy V8 with double chain driven overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder, and a Weber Marelli fuel injection system. The original wheelbase was reduced by 17cm and an entirely new outer body was made in aluminum alloy. ![]() ![]() The body of each Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato was built in Italy using Aston Martin underpinnings. That said, 320 bhp is nothing to sniff at, and the droptop was capable of 160 mph and it had a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.0 seconds, these were heady figures back in the 1980s for a luxurious convertible. There was some grumbling from the buyers of the V8 Zagato as they had been promised exclusivity and just 52 cars had been sold.Ībove Image: The flip-up headlight shields were a notable change from the earlier V8 Zagato.Īston Martin placated these concerns to some degree by offering the V8 Volante Zagato with the 320 bhp fuel-injected V585 V8 engine that was less powerful than the 430 bhp V8 used in the hardtop. The Aston Martin V8 Volante ZagatoĪ year after the introduction of the V8 Zagato, Aston Martin introduced the Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato, essentially the model’s convertible version. The reason for the success of the tintop V8 Zagato was almost certainly down to three key factors – it was launched into the middle of the 1980s supercar boom, it featured styling that’s still winning it accolades today, and it was the follow on model for the much-loved Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. He competed extensively in this car before an unfortunate on-track accident, after which time he had the car restored and retired it from racing to preserve it. The most famous V8 Zagato customer was almost certainly actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, who bought one in 1998 and had it converted to racing specification. Furthermore, it is important to note that the car’s original odometer has been replaced, and the car’s true mileage is thought to be 72,000 kmTo view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at /en/auctions/0420.The Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato was the droptop version of the famous Aston Martin V8 Zagato, a coupe that had been introduced as an artist rendition drawing at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show but had sold out nonetheless. After spending a few years in France, it has been with its current owner, a German Aston Martin enthusiast, for the last ten years and benefits from having been regularly exercised and maintained, as evidenced by the substantial history file that accompanies the car. It retains its factory colour specification of Madagascar Brown with Natural VM leather, piped in dark tan. Exported to Germany in 1994, this Volante was converted to European specifications including German bumpers, a Prince of Wales-specification and front driving lights. Like many of the 650 or so examples produced, this 1978 car was originally delivered to its first owner in the USA. ![]() Performance was a given, with the 310 bhp available a cruise 60 mph was achieved in around 6.0 seconds and top speed was approaching 150 mph. In the cabin meanwhile, wood trim returned for the first time since the DB2/4. Both cars featured a re-profiled bonnet with a ‘power bulge’ in place of the air intake scoop of the Series 3, under which sat four twin-choke Weber carburettors feeding the venerable 5.3-litre V8 engine. The Aston Martin V8 Volante was launched in June 1978, a few months before the Series 4 variant of the coupe, known as the Oscar India. ![]() Please note that this lot will need to be collected in Karlskron, Germany. Attractive Madagascar Brown over Natural leather colour scheme.Offered from a Private German Collection.
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