2 Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Coupes spotted - pics inside

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Went along to the Silverstone Classic event on Friday.

Loads of superb cars on display, but I was really pleased to see not one but two Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Coupes. Bearing in mind there were only 50 of these cars built back in the mid 1980's I was really pleased to see two in one day. It was also quite interesting that they were both in the same colour.





Regards

Tim

[Murph7355]

Bizarrely I was just looking at one in an ad about anhour ago. Same exterior colour (or very similar) but green interior.

Sub-100k. Can't work out whether that seems cheap or expenisve, but erring on the side of the former.

Does anyone have driving experiences?

[phlea]

I LOVE these, and have an ambition to add one to my little fleet at some point. I was speaking to a dealer about one last year, and specifically about the driving. Apparently they're a good deal better to drive than a standard V8, being significantly lighter, but he was keen to point out that its a somewhat 'dated' driving experience comared to the more modern Astons. That said, Rowan Atkinson raced one with some success up until a year or two ago.

ETA: Price-wise, I've been watching these for a while now and they seem to have settled at around the 100k mark for the last few years and so could be quite a good purchase. Not too cheap to maintain though...

Edited by phlea on Sunday 29th July 23:53

[Murph7355]

Evening Phil.

You still tracking the HPC? And have you been back to Mas du Clos?

Just had a look at your cars - growing collection

[Alex Gurr]

phlea said:

I LOVE these, and have an ambition to add one to my little fleet at some point. I was speaking to a dealer about one last year, and specifically about the driving. Apparently they're a good deal better to drive than a standard V8, being significantly lighter, but he was keen to point out that its a somewhat 'dated' driving experience comared to the more modern Astons. That said, Rowan Atkinson raced one with some success up until a year or two ago.

ETA: Price-wise, I've been watching these for a while now and they seem to have settled at around the 100k mark for the last few years and so could be quite a good purchase. Not too cheap to maintain though...

Edited by phlea on Sunday 29th July 23:53

I understand that they are really frisky at the rear end as the weight distribution is dramatically changed in the conversion from V8 Vantage to Zagato. Removing weight from the rear was relitivley easy compared to removing it from the front of the car, with the monster V8 sat out front. I think they even located the battery in the boot to try to improve the situation.

Still, they are a lovely car and good value at the moment given the numbers built - late 80's V8 Vatnage X-packs are up near £100,000 at the moment - but they will always be unfairly compared to the DB4 GTZ in reality.

[steelej]

It looks like a old Nissan Sunny ZX coupe, horrible...





Just my .2 pence

John.

Edited by steelej on Monday 30th July 10:58

Edited by steelej on Monday 30th July 10:59

[jhoneyball]

Alex Gurr said:

Removing weight from the rear was relitivley easy compared to removing it from the front of the car, with the monster V8 sat out front. I think they even located the battery in the boot to try to improve the situation.

xpack vantages always had battery in boot. dont think it was ever at the front?

[williamp]

jhoneyball said:

Alex Gurr said:

Removing weight from the rear was relitivley easy compared to removing it from the front of the car, with the monster V8 sat out front. I think they even located the battery in the boot to try to improve the situation.

xpack vantages always had battery in boot. dont think it was ever at the front?

All the V8 range have the battery in the boot- from the DBS V8 though to the Virage. I think the Lagonda is the exception- I seem to remember the battery is under the passenger seat, but I am probably wrong.

The Zagato Vantage was never pretty, but is brutal and really goes. You can also do some good mods to make it go even quicker.

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Just remembered that the car in the first picture is actually for sale.

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/find/4100_results....

Does not seem to bad at £85,000.

Regards

Tim

[Murph7355]

autofocus said:

...Does not seem to bad at £85,000....

I reckon in 10yrs' time that will seem like a veritable bargain...

Never really liked them when first released, but now I reckon they have something about them (other than a similarity to a sheitebox Nissan ).

Didn't Rowan Atkinson prang his? (Does he post on here I wonder).

[Alex Gurr]

I can't ever see them going down in price from here. Rare Aston Martins (even the less than beautiful versions) seem to hold their value well - just look at the 4 door V8's or shooting brake DB5's. There will always be the appeal of the Zagato tag and it seems that angular cars of the 70's and 80's are gaining in street cred as the boys who dreamed of them when new start to earn enough money to buy them now.

[phlea]

Mr Atkinson did indeed prang his, but it was repaired better than new and was up for sale last year complete with trailer and spares. 'orrible red colour though!

I think they have a certain '80's appeal and are very much of their time, and this can only be in their favour as more of Thatcher's children become wealthy enough to hanker after the memories of their youth. I actually think they're quite pretty too, but I do have somewhat unconventional taste and a weak spot for anything wearing a Z.

Hi Andy, HPC gave up the ghost on this year's Le Sept (no M de C though) and have just bought a 7 Fireblade for entertainment whilst I have it fixed up- most entertaining! You're fleet's looking rather impressive too, what good taste you have!

P.

[AKA8]

Didn't they do a 7 litre conversion?

I'm sure I saw one of these compete and it sounded as good as could be expected. Amazing car.

Rarety will surely keep the prices up.

[cardigankid]

[quote=steelej]It looks like a old Nissan Sunny ZX coupe, horrible...


Just my .2 pence

John.

You are so right. Rare, certainly. Interesting, possibly. Desirable, erm...well. Worth £100k? There are a few things in front of them on my list. A period piece from a period best not revisited.