This feature is a first for the triad of VeloceToday.com, Coachbuild.com and SportsCarDigest.com.We all had input to this article and feature this article in our respective websites at the same time.
The recent and regrettable passing of Elio Zagato caused us to query a variety of noted car enthusiasts to tell us what is their favorite Zagato bodied car. Sounds easy, right?
Very few of the respondents could claim just one favorite. “Well, it might be the 6C1500 Alfa, but then again maybe the DB4GT, or wait, I forgot about those lovely Maserati Zagatos.” And so it went. It seems that there are so many interesting, unique, and/or beautiful Zagato designs that it is very hard to chose just one.
At the same time, although we tried to avoid it, several enthusiasts chose the same car–the Ferrari Zagatos. And with good reason, as it they be the most clearly stated Zagato effort of all –aggressive, beautiful, sculpted with great art, and of course light and very, very fast.
Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato
Ercole Spada, Zagato designer
“My favorite Zagato model is the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato. That car might have been too modern for its days, and even in the late eighties the concept was copied by other manufacturers, take the Honda CRX for example.”
Karl Ludvigsen, historian, librarian, author
“I am completely and utterly nuts, nuts, nuts and just comprehensively nuts about the Alfa Junior Zagato. It was first shown at Turin in November of 1969 in 1300 cc form and then upgraded to 1600 cc a couple of year later. Zagato did a wonderful job on this car with its body pared to the minimum and chock full of fascinating details. It’s magnificent. I borrowed one from Alfa on a trip to Italy and found it an absolute hoot. Light, lively and a dream to handle, it is the quintessential sports car.”
Credit Ludvigsen Library
Ferrari 250GT Zagato
Simon Moore, author of “The Immortal Alfa Romeo 2.9”
“The Ferrari 250GT “double bubble” chassis number 0515.”
David Sydorick, collector
“From personal experience, I can certainly second Simon Moore’s choice of the Zagato Ferrari 250GT Zagato, s/n 0515.”
Ferrari 250GT Zagato
Michiel van den Brink, designer, editor for Coachbuild.com
“I go for the Ferrari 250 GT with chassis number 0537GT. Sydorick’s example #0515GT proves that Zagatos are very suitable for both Concours d’Élegance and racing and while #0537GT is practically identical to #0515GT, she’s more purpose built for racing and has some more refined details like the radiator. The fact that this car raced her first race in nothing but primer adds to the story.”
1952 OSCA V12 Coupe Zagato .
Brandes Elitch, contributor, VeloceToday
“I went back to my 2 volume set on Zagato, published by Giorgio Nada in 1989. Volume I, by Michele Marchiano, and while it is a fool’s errand to choose the most desirable car, one did stand out, one I never noticed before. On page 102, there are 2 photos of a 1952 Osca V-12 coupe. The car has an Osca V12 engine of 4500 cc displacement. This car is breathtaking, period.”
Ferrari Tipo 166 Zagato
Michael T. Lynch, author, historian
“A Zagato coupe on a Ferrari 166 chassis that was later rebodied. This is obviously a more sophisticated version of Zagato’s aerodynamica or panoramica coupes on Fiat chassis. Front 3/4 is a little ungainly, but that rear shot just makes you want to pat it on the ass, like that Radcliffe College girlfriend in the 50s. Posed with car is Stagnoli, the owner who enjoyed so much success with Ferrari Gran Turismo coupes in the 50s, before there was a GT class.”
Bandini Zagato GTV
Pete Vack, VeloceToday editor, author
“It may be the most perfectly proportioned and beatiful small car in the world.”
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Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ
Raffi Minasian, designer
“Small cars are extremely difficult to design well. Add to that a very round, full surface theme combined with manufacturing limits to the day-light openings and you can imagine the challenges the SZ package presented Zagato. Yet the execution, proportions, and final form is simply perfection. There has never been a better closed bodied short wheelbase design than the Zagato bodied Alfa Romeo SZ.” Credit Michael T. Lynch
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Roberto Motta, Italian journalist, editor
No comments necessary!
Credit Hugues Vanhoolandt
Alfa Romeo 1900SSZ
Geoffrey Goldberg, Lancia historian
“Just to be contrary, one could choose the 1900 SSZ…. but it is
odd. Still, strangely beautiful too.” Credit Michael T. Lynch
Lancia Appia Zagato, Double Bubble
Jim Bandy, French car parts, drives a Lancia Fulvia Zagato
“My choice after time of consideration, would be the Lancia Appia Zagato, Double Bubble. This seems to me Zagato’s true feeling; small, precise and with little or no grandiose appeal.”
Maserati GT Zagato s/n 2160
Ivan Zaremba, restorer
“My choice is the Maserati A6G2000 Zagato. Photo attached is number 2160, my old car now owned by Bruce Male.”
1961 Zagato Mini Gatto
Jeroen Booij, Dutch journalist, Editor for Coachbuild.com, author of “Maximum Mini”
“I’m tempted to say the electric Zele, although I have never seen one in the flesh. No, it has to be the 1961 Zagato Mini Gatto as that particular one-off combines my love for this extraordinary coachbuilder with that for the classic Mini. Before actually seeing the car I came across a lot of nonsense about it. Most wrote that it had been built with a fiberglass body which I just couldn’t believe. I asked Andrea Zagato once I met him. He wasn’t sure either, immediately phoning up his father and handing me over the phone. It was aluminium. Naturalmente signore.”
Fiat Otto Vu Zagato
Hugues Vanhoolandt, Belgian photographer
“I cast my vote for the white Fiat 8V that appeared at Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este” Credit Hugues Vanhoolandt
Abarth 750 GT Zagato
Michael Sheehan, dealer, Ferrari expert, author
“It put Zagato on the map and made the double bubble an affordable cult-car 50 years ago. They still are both affordable and a cult car today.”
Ercole Spada, Zagato designer
“The TZ2 is my second favorite, simply as it was the first that came with the ‘Coda Tronca’ tail application that was also very successful in races.”
Ed McDonough, author, “Tipo 33”, race driver, historian
“While many people will go for some of the smoother Zagato designs, I opt for Zagato at his functional best. The Alfa Romeo TZ2 took and existing spartan GT car…the TZ1…and trimmed it down. It was lighter, lower and faster, totally functional, nothing unnecessary on the car. The best handling car of its size in the period.”
Jamie Doyle, Publisher Sports Car Digest
“From the aggressive front end to the sharply raked windshield to the Kamm tail, the Alfa Romeo TZ2 is my perfect idea of a GT-based race car. Beautiful and purposeful, with nothing wasted and always on the mark.”
Nuvolari LeMans Alfa 2.3, chassis 2211109
David Seibert, author, Organizer of Shell Ferrari Historics, U.S.A,
“It is a unique and stylish car; I’ve had the opportunity to examine it in detail as it presently exists, and it is one car I would love to own.” Credit Simon Moore
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS
Bill Noon, collector, dealer
“From my own collection over the years, my favorite Zagato was without a doubt my 6c1750 5th Series GS. I drove the car on the road several times each week and raced it anywhere I could get accepted, both in the States and Europe. The overall design was minimalistic to the extreme and even with just over 60 real bhp at the rear wheels, the light design and nimble handling where light years ahead of anything else… at least until the 8c’s came along!”
Larry Crane, author, editor, artist
“I agree–Zagato’s 6c and early 8c’s are pure and classic.”
Alfa Romeo TZ1
Jan Steutel, Dutch restorer, dealer
“Although it is not well-suited for large men, this timeless beauty typifies the best of Zagato.”
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Pete, Please see the fabulous 1949 Fiat Topolino 750 MM Panaramica Zagato, that took second in the Zagato Class at this year’s Pebble Beach as well as being awarded the Coppa Mille Miglia Trophy. This exquisite example of Zagato’s coachwork raced in the 1949 MM and finished fourth in class. It is one of the twenty plus Zagatos in the Collection of the Scottsdale Automotive Museum in Arizona and it is my good fortune to have the opportunity to have worked on quite a few of them. From the owners and staff of the Museum, we extend our heartfelt regret at the passing of Elio Zagato.
Cordiali Saluti,
Robert
Pete,
The Giulietta SZ Coda Trunca #31 in this great article resides in the Collection of The Scottsdale Automotive Museum as well and the photo of this beauty depicts her at the Palm Springs Concours in 2008 when she won first in class and best in show.
If you’re in the Phoenix area, please e-mail me and it would be a pleasure to finally meet you and show you the Collection.
Robert
Pete,
Robert Piltch talks about the Scottsdale Automotive Museum. I was wondering if this museum is open to the public.
Thanks
Doug Klein
WOW! Trying to pick a favorite Zagato is harder than trying to pick a favorite beautiful woman or a favorite dish from a smorgasbord of Italian delicacies. From the cars pictured I would have to say the Maserati, or is it the FIAT, or the Abarth, or the TZ2, or the…..
I’ll second Pete on the Bandini Coupe but also LOVE the A6G 2000.
Cliff Reuter
etceterini.com
stanguellini.com
I know it was difficult to choose, but did no one pick the beautiful AC Ace Zagato Coupe?
My Zagato favorites are many, but there are 2 in particular that make my brain quiver: the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and the Maserati A6G2000 Zagato … those brutish get-out-of-my-way good looks blow me away.
Automobiliart.blogspot.com
Well, no Lancia anyone ?
You could have chosen between Aurelia, Appia (many different versions), Flaminia, Fulvia, and the special Flavia.
For me, I would like a Flaminia Zagato, of the first series, with the covered headlights, in black, with interior in pelle naturale please!
PS: at first glance I forgot Jim Bandy, with the lone Appia Zagato shown above
Shame you left out the 1981-1982 Lancia Zagato. Inspired by Elio Z. and designed by Ercole Spada.
A fine, delicate Targa Coupe of which only 791 were manufactured.
All the cars pictured are special with one exception, that awful Mini. How could the Flaminia Supersport fail to get a mention, my friend Ross will be very cross!
My compliments to the Scottsdale Auto Museum for their extensive Zagato collection which grows monthly as they rebirth so many of Zagato’s best works. No, the Museum is not opened to the public yet but let’s keep hoping. Just wait for the rebirth of a famous Ferrari Panamerica Zagato.
I owned at one time a Lancia Flavia Sport. It was in my Family 37 years . One either loved or hated the Zagato body. Whether Zagato bodies were very aerodynamic is up for dicussion I think , but the car turned many heads , and I loved it
We soliticted a number of enthusiasts for their favorite Zagato. We then published their choices; therefore there may be many cars which might have been on the list but weren’t as we didn’t choose the cars, only the participants. We’d like to hear your opinions about your favorite Zagato, so keep them coming.
The 1949 Fiat Topolino 750 MM Panaramica Zagato was featured twice in the past month on VeloceToday, first in “Pebble Beach Tour, Italians”, and then “Masters of Light”. Both can be found in the archives.
Editor
Nobody picked one of the modern Zagatos! This doesn’t really surprise me, though. The Spada days are long gone and Zagato today is not what it used to be.
Here is my favorite: the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ
http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php/option=co m_gallery2&Itemid=50&g2_itemId=40985
For me the easiest thing to do is to agree with Stephen’s picks.But I must add 2 more that I believe I saw in The Blackhawk Museum’s collection and they look way better in the flesh than in the photos. They would be the Alfa 1900 SSZ and the Aston DB4.I just couldn’t stop staring at their flowing lines.
I love my 2008 Hyundai Elantra Zagato. A modern classic.
No, no, no! Peter Leech is right. The quintessential Zagato-bodied car is the Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato. How can you hate it? I remember the factory racer at Snetterton in 1964(?) painted in a deep maroon. And one day I was hitch-hiking out of London to Cambridge, my home town. A Turin-registered Flavisport Zagato stops – yes, really – and its young driver says “Cambridge?” “Yes,” I say, to which he says “which way?”. For the next hour we hurtle through the countryside. And through red traffic lights to said driver shouting, “my turn.” Which it never was. He was going to one of the language schools there. He’s already passed driving school. I was in a momentary heaven.
But don’t think badly of me, I’d take an Aston Zagato over a 250 GTO on looks, too.
What about the Zagato Fiat 8V Elaborato?
Best looking 8V alive.
Happy to see someone picked the rakish LamboZ. It’slike a good-looking manor woman who has a feature or two thatisn’t beautifulbut adds to their character. And of course I mustadd my fave: The Bristol 407Z. It’sfun to wash it..
The Flavia Sport by Zagato, ugly as it was according to some, it was also beautiful once you saw it live. Red of course and almost fully standard. I recall seeing these cars race at Zandvoort in the mid sixties … something totally different and believe it or not fast (did they not win the european touring car championship in or around 1964 ?). Yours truly, Your Editor at Large
My favorite Zagato is my 6c1500 Sport 0211462, the first Jano designed Alfa to carry Zagato coachwork. Race it each year at Monterey.
I’m lucky enough to own a pre-series production Giulietta Zagato and an Appia GTE, both rewarding drives, and with quite individual personalities.
In years past I’ve had two Alfa 1900 Zagatos, a Jr.Zagato, a Quattroruoute Grand Sport, and a Flaminia Zagato. Wish I had kept them all!
I have owned or driven almost every Zagato out there and we all seem to agree that it is difficult to select just one. However the model that I believe best represents the SPIRIT of Zagato is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint SZ “football”. Any takers? S.
I agree with Steve’s opinion,it is like trying to choose between beautiful women. That said’ if I had a gun to my head’ and had to make a choice. it would be the TZ2 and that is only because I once had the opportunity to get “up close and personal with one” – what a car
Picking the favorite Zagato was no fun at all – first choice is the TZ-2. I remember some scaling rides in Boston with G.P. Fogg in his – he took his daughters (one at a time?) to soccer practice in it, with open exhausts!
Of the Lancias, the 1st series Flaminia is just lovely. There are the Zagato Aurelias, but sadly only in photos.
i was always [begeisterd] from zagato bodydesigns, especial the racing conversions
my favorite zagato is the oneoff fulvia supersport [tronca] at this moment i am working with a frend to realise a fluvia, this is a fulvia z with a flavia engine.
Ben is speaking of a radical design change to tthe original Fulvia. The new tronca rear end was added about 25 years later in true TZ style! Very spectacular and you wonder why Spada did’t think of such a shape himself.
This car is currently fitted with a 2000cc Flavia engine for more exoticism
They are all so beautifully inaccessible that invariably the one you are standing in front of is the latest best. So, I will stick to mine, a first series Fulvia, Al body, in the family since 1974, been to the US and back to France, and currently subject to an “everyone out of the bus” rebuild. I did have a Flaminia SS once, but that is another story…