Pininfarina might be the most famous Italian coachbuilder of the 20th century, due to the founders close relationship with Enzo Ferrari.
But ask classic car collectors who was responsible for designing some of the greatest cars of all time and the answer will usually be the same.
Zagato.
The firm Zagato penciled and designed some of the most beautiful cars in the 1950s and 1960s.
Think Aston Martin DB4 Zagato or the beautiful Ferrari 250 TDF Zagato. For many the Maserati AG654 by Zagato (main picture) is also among the most beautiful cars ever built. Zagato was started in 1919 by Ugo Zagato and he quickly became famous for his very distinct style.
The ‘double bubble’ roofs as well as the famous side air intake with signature ‘Z’ logo. This year at Techno Classica in Essen, the organisors showed some of the most famous Zagato cars built, from a very rare Maserati (main picture) to beautiful Lancia’s, Alfa Romeo and FIAT. This post is our second part series of Techno Classica in Essen (see the first part here):
The first picture shows a beautiful FIAT Otto Vu (V8) from the 1950s. Few people are aware, but the V8 Fiat cars in the 1950′s were exclusive cars that today are worth more than $1m (depending on who designed the car). Only 114 Fiat 8v’s were made.
Zagato also designed some of the most beautiful Lancia’s in the 1950s. Below a beautiful Lancia Flaminia Super Sport by Zagato
Below another beautiful Lancia: This time it is a Lancia Appia
Perhaps one of the most famous Zagato designs of all time. The legendary Maserati A6G54 below
The wide front grille of the car displaying one of the most famous emblems of Automotive history (for more on the famous emblem click here).
The side of the car displaying what is very typical of Zagato. The famous ‘air vents’ with the distinctive ‘Z’ logo.
Alfa Romeo did not escape Zagato’s hands. Here one of the most collectible of all Alfa’s ever made: An Alfa Romeo Guilia TZ 2 from 1964. It raced very successfully in Targa Florio and the Nürnbergring.
The TZ 2 is one of the most valuable and collectible cars in the world. Only 12 were made. Light, very fast and beautiful- the TZ 2 is one of the most sought after Alfa Romeo’s collectors can hope to own.
The last Zagato present was a fine 1900 SSZ Coupe in a fine bi-color scheme. The car below is owned by a Swiss collector.
Zagato was a master of design- his cars were beautiful from all sides – even from the back.
