The V8 Zagato model Aston Martin was a GT car of the 1980s. Just 50 examples each of the coupe and convertible were built between 1986 and 1990. The coupe was first unveiled at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show and orders was quickly taken despite only showing the drawing of the car. The decision to build the later convertible was controversial — all 50 coupes had already been purchased at the height of the exotic car speculation market, and the convertibles were to remain more desirable than their predecessors.
The V8 Zagato, as the name suggests, was based on the Aston Martin V8, but with a body by the famed Zagato coachbuilder. The design was an angular modern interpretation of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato of the 1960s. The squared-off grille was especially controversial.
The Zagato was powered by a 430 hp (321 kW) V8 engine with twin-choke Weber carburettors. The all-alloy car could hit 300 km/h (186 mph). It was a luxurious car, with a price tag of US$156,600 at the time but with the high rarity and being released at the supercar price boom of 1987 to 1990, by the end of the decade, the car was changing hands for £750,000. The later convertible sold for $171,000.
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