Vantage Coupe

Segment
Coupe

Over the years, Aston Martin and Zagato have teamed up to create some stunning works of automotive art like the V12 Vantage Zagato, which is being revived by R-Forged for a new Continuation series. Aston Martin is also celebrating Zagato's 100th anniversary in style with the $8 million DBZ Centenary Collection, which pairs up the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and DBS GT Zagato. Only 19 pairs are being produced and they are all sold out. If you missed out, there is a rare opportunity to own another legendary Aston Martin Vantage Zagato previously owned by none other than self-confessed car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson, best known for playing the bumbling buffoon Mr. Bean.

Listed for sale by Dylan Miles via PistonHeads is a rare 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato. Only 50 were originally made, each finished in Gladiator Red coachwork with Tan hide.

It was delivered to its first owner in 1986 before the second owner acquired the car in 1989. It was then sold in 1999 to Rowan Atkinson, who wanted to race it.

To turn the V8 Vantage into a track racer, the actor commissioned Aston Martin Works Service to rebuild and modify the car to race in the AMOC C2 Class 'Mildly Modified' category. This is the only V8 Zagato to be converted into a track toy by Aston Martin Works, making it one of the rarest and most desirable Aston Martin Zagatos in the world.

To reduce the weight, lighter panels and Perspex side windows were installed, reducing the mass from 3,527 pounds to 3,273 pounds. The engine was also rebuilt and enhanced with Weber Alpha fuel injection, increasing the output to 475 horsepower and 412 lb-ft of torque.

The suspension was also redeveloped and upgraded with two-way adjustable Koni dampers and Eibach springs. To help the car cope with the extra horsepower, AP Racing brakes were fitted with eight-piston calipers at the front and six-pistons at the rear.

Atkinson enjoyed racing the modified V8 Vantage Zagato for the next decade. After it was sold off, UK Aston Martin specialist Nicholas Mee and Co. modified the car in 2016 to make it more comfortable to drive on the road by fitting a road clutch, retrimming the interior, and installing air conditioning, but its potent engine and lighter panels were retained. There's no listed price, but we expect this race-ready Aston Martin V8 Vantage will fetch a fortune given its rarity and celebrity former owner.