A scarce and desirable Aston Martin V12 Zagato has failed to sell on Bring a Trailer, missing out on its auction reserve price.
With only 61 examples of the sports car made between 2012 and 2013, they are truly hard-to-find vehicles.
Adding to the V12 Zagato’s rarity is the fact it had to be imported into the United States under ‘show or display’ rules. The prospect of being limited to just 2,500 miles a year may have put some bidders off.
British power meets Italian style
Aston Martin has maintained a long-running partnership with the Italian Zagato design house. The relationship began in 1960, with the creation of the DB4 GT Zagato, seeing 20 examples produced.
Further Aston and Zagato collaborations followed, with a distinctive-looking version of the V8 Vantage in 1986. More followed in the early 2000s, with the DB7 and original Vanquish also gaining the Zagato treatment.
Unveiled at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the V12 Zagato was intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the two companies.
One of just 61 examples made
A brand-new aluminum body was created for the V12 Zagato, with carbon fiber panels used for the front splitter, and rear diffuser. Zagato trademarks included the double-bubble roof, along with a larger front grille wearing a Z-shaped pattern.
Other details included the dramatic tail lights, plus the substantial rear wing made from carbon fiber. Aston Martin had initially only planned to build the V12 Zagato as a race car, but customer pressure led to road-going versions being produced.
Initial plans would see 150 examples made, with European-only sales planned. However, interest was lower than expected, with just 61 road cars eventually produced.
This particular car is said to be the only one painted in special-order three-stage paint Fiamma Red.
Twelve-cylinder symphony
The V12 Zagato retained the 5.9-liter V-12 engine as used in the regular Aston Martin Vantage, which formed the base for the special edition. Output remained the same, with 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque on offer.
A six-speed manual transmission reinforced the idea that the V12 Zagato was aimed at true enthusiasts, with a limited-slip differential also fitted.
Carbon ceramic brakes, and double-wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers, are part of this car’s specification. The exclusive 19-inch Zagato-designed wheels are fitted with Pirelli P Zero rubber.
Ready to show or display
Unlike the dramatic exterior transformation, much of the standard V12 Vantage interior can be found inside. Carbon fiber bucket seats, with the Zagato logo embroidered onto them, are the biggest change.
Black leather features throughout the cabin, with red stitching to match the exterior paintwork. Alcantara is used for the steering wheel and gear shifter. Standard equipment includes climate control, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, plus a reversing camera.
The Zagato was imported into the United States in 2014, making use of NHTSA ‘show or display’ legislation. This limits use of the car to 2,500 miles each year.Â
The V12 Zagato has covered 3,200 miles from new, meaning this example has hardly been used. Servicing was last performed in 2020, with all records and literature to be included with the car.
Digging deep
Having to import a V12 Zagato via the ‘show or display’ route means they are a scarce commodity, even by Aston Martin standards, in the United States. The seller believes that only four are known to have headed across the Atlantic.
When new, Aston Martin charged £330,000 (equivalent to $450,000) for a V12 Zagato. Limited supply has seen examples reach almost double the original price at auction.
However, this time bidding stalled at $518,000, despite plenty of initial interest and bids. It meant the V12 Zagato also achieves the rare status of failing to sell on Bring a Trailer.
As several Bring a Trailer users have noted, ‘show or display’ would mean treating the Zagato as a moving museum piece for many years.