To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato—the first collaboration between the British automaker and the great Italian carrozzeria—Aston Martin revealed the V12 Zagato to the public at the 2011 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. Loosely based on the V12 Vantage, the V12 Zagato is unmistakably an Aston Martin, but its handcrafted aluminum bodywork was dramatically restyled and, of course, includes the classic Zagato “double bubble” roof. Awarded the competition’s Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes, the car would enter limited production in 2012, instantly becoming the most desirable car in the Aston Martin lineup at the time.

As with the lightweight and aerodynamic DB4 GT Zagato, this new offering was developed with motorsports in mind, complete with a 120-liter endurance racing fuel tank. Two racecars were constructed, known as “Zig” and “Zag,” and they placed 5th and 6th in class at the 39th ADAC Nürburgring in 2012. Previously running in green livery, Zig was re-painted Gulf blue and black for the Nürburgring 24 Hours to match its GT3 teammates. The car had an excellent race and ran faultlessly throughout. Driven by Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, chief engineer Chris Porritt, Nürburgring Test Centre Director Wolfgang Schuhbauer, and journalist Richard Meaden, it finished an impressive 26th overall and 2nd in class.

Each roadgoing car was to be individually designed for the owner, with design elements combining modern innovations and historic elements that reflected the 50-year relationship between Aston Martin and Zagato. A grand total of 2,000-man hours went into every vehicle, an astounding five times as long as the regular V12 Vantage.

Although 101 examples were planned, only 65 were produced: Two prototype racecars, two prototype road cars, and 61 production road cars. This mirrors the original DB4 GT Zagato, the production of which also fell short of initial projections—a fact that, as with its inspiration from a half-century prior, makes the V12 Zagato even more exclusive today. It is believed that there are only four examples of this car in the United States.

V12 ZAGATO NUMBER 037

The car offered here, V12 Zagato number 037, is finished in Alloro Green metallic, a color that recalls the hues offered on the Zagato-built DB4 GTs. This appealing exterior color is accented by many exposed carbon fiber features, from the prominent rear wing to the rearview mirrors; even the grille is worthy of close inspection, composed as it is of interlocking Zagato “Z” logos. The Obsidian Black interior features leather upholstery with a flowing pattern highlighted by contrasting stitching; the intricate design covers the seats, door cards, and even the headliner, speaking clearly to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the car’s build.

Beneath its hood is a naturally aspirated 510-horsepower, 420-pound-foot 6-liter V-12 capable of providing truly modern performance, while the six-speed manual gearbox—a feature all but extinct in today’s supercar market—offers the driver an unforgettable tactile thrill.

Though not factory-certified for sale in the United States, this model’s significance is such that it is eligible for importation under the federal “show or display” exemption, and it was exported to the US under those provisions in 2014. After acquiring this car in 2017, the consignor exhibited it at the 2018 edition of The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, where it earned a win in the Custom Coachwork class. Accrued mileage is very limited, and at time of cataloguing, the odometer displays just 1,603 miles from new.

One of the most compelling Aston Martins seen thus far in the 21st century, the V12 Zagato is rarer yet than the mighty Aston Martin hypercar One-77, and it combines the best of British handcraftsmanship with Italian design into an irresistible package. Incredibly rare with only 61 roadgoing examples built, it is seldom-seen anywhere—especially on this side of the Atlantic. This car, number 037, is now offered with a suite of delivery accessories including two glass keys and one spare key, books, umbrella, battery charger and car cover.

Finished in exquisite colors and scarcely driven, V12 Zagato number 037 is a piece of rolling sculpture that, like the DB4 GT Zagato it commemorates, is destined to grow even more desirable in the years to come.