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Paying tribute to Aston Martin's centenary anniversary this year is Italian design house Zagato and its two wealthy customers – pureblooded enthusiasts of the legendary British marque. Designed and built under very special orders are two commemorative models - the DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial and the DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial.
The first one was commissioned by an American car collector Peter Read. The very same person initiatied the development of the DB7 Zagato in 2001. This model was built in a limited number of 99 units which all were sold long before actual production begun. The DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial was envisioned as a one-of-a-kind automobile combining traditions, styling and performance as well honouring „heritage, power and elegance of Aston Martin’s Centenary“.
The second model to signify company‘s memorable anniverssary – the DBS Coupe Zagato – was created for an unnamed Japanese businessman. It is a heavily redesigned DBS featuring Zagato‘s classic double bubble roof design giving a well reminescence of classic Zagato-bodied Aston Martins. The model gives a flashback to the past and is a pure „amalgamation of sportiness and elegance“.
PRESS RELEASE
ZAGATO FOR ASTON MARTIN 100Th Anniversary
Milano, July 2013. Zagato Atelier pays tribute to Aston Martin’s 100th Anniversary with the announcement of two very special projects: the DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial, conceived for the well known American car collector Peter Read and the DBS Coupé Zagato Centennial, delivered to a young and prestigious Japanese entrepreneur.
DB9 SPYDER ZAGATO CENTENNIAL
The history began in 2001 when Dr. Ulrich Bez approved a design for the DB7 Zagato, which was inspired and financed by the Zagato team, comprising of Andrea and Marella Zagato and Peter Read, a long time enthusiast and collector of Aston Martins.
Due to the success of the DB7 Zagato (all 99 units were sold at the Paris Motor Show prior to production) and with the approval and collaboration of Aston Martin, the same team designed, developed and produced a one-off DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial. This creation honours the heritage, power and elegance of Aston Martin’s Centenary.
The team’s vision is best expressed by Peter Read; “The DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial perfectly merges Aston Martin and Zagato’s DNA by combining the elegance of design, typical of Zagato, with the soul, power and prestige of Aston Martin, all developed over the last 100 years. This car personifies the timelessness of the Aston Martin/Zagato marque.”
DBS COUPÉ ZAGATO CENTENNIAL
The Aston Martin DBS Coupé Zagato Centennial is an exotic cross of Aston Martin DNA with Italian flair and Milanese inspiration, sporting a ‘double bubble’ roof design, reminiscent of Zagato cars from the 1950s.
Norihiko Harada, Zagato’s Chief Designer explains; “Redesigning the DBS was a difficult job. The DBS is already one of the most beautiful modern sports cars around. Our challenge was to bring sporty styling together with a more Mediterranean luxury GT feel, all with typical Zagato quality.”
A project supported by Ennio Capasa, Creative Director of CoSTUME NATIONAL, whose creative influence is visible throughout the interior.
The beauty of this car is due to a amalgamation of sportiness and elegance. The smooth tail section gives it a great presence and the final result is unveiled today: a highly personalised and unique thoroughbred Aston Martin DBS Coupé Zagato Centennial, brimming with soul and style in the great tradition of Aston Martin Zagato’s.
