The Vanquish Zagato Concept was designed in close collaboration between the Aston Martin Design team led by Marek Reichman and Andrea Zagato and his dedicated design team in Milan. Developed and engineered at Aston Martin’s headquarters at Gaydon, the concept features proportions that remain quintessentially Aston Martin and emphasises a dynamic, forward-looking stance. The new bodywork is entirely shaped from carbon fibre, with the split lines on the body reduced by the use of large one-piece panels. New lights include round tail light reflectors that evoke the classic rear view of a Zagato design, incorporating the same ‘bladed’ LED technology as first seen on the the Aston Martin Vulcan track-only supercar.

Referencing elements of the brand’s contemporary design language, Vanquish Zagato Concept features One-77 inspired wing mirrors and a sculptural rear end similar to DB11‘s aerodynamic profile, complete with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for access to the luggage compartment.  A quad-exhaust nestles in the rippling carbon fibre sills that run around the lower body, creating a pronounced line from front to rear.

The Vanquish Zagato Concept’s glasshouse wraps around the bodywork like a visor, enhancing its aggressive stance. A new evolution of the classic side strake runs from wheel arch to door just like the new DB11 and a detail originally showcased on the celebratory CC-100. A sharp crease on the rear wheel arch transforms into the rear flanks, where it meets the cascading roofline. 

The roof features the iconic ‘double-bubble’, its shallow radius dipping into the rear window glass to give the car an unmistakeable rear silhouette. A Zagato trademark since the early 1950s, originally arose from the need to accommodate racing helmets with a minimum impact on the aerodynamic profile. To match the bold new exterior, the concepts normally aspirated V12 engine has been uprated to 592 bhp along with enhanced driving dynamics.

A month following the Villa d’Este concours, AML announced that the Zagato Vanquish will go into limited production with a run of 99 cars. Production started in Autumn of 2016 and continued until the Summer of 2017. No official announcement on pricing but it is estimated the car could be around a half a million pounds. An interesting fact that AML have not made anything of, is that the Vanquish Zagato is the first Aston Martin Zagato with rear seats with the exception of the one off Centenary cars of 2013.

Many of the photos below were taken at the 2016 AMOC Autumn Concours where the concept was parked next to the unique V12 Vanquish Zagato.

As Walkinshaw was keen on a V12, it was only sensible that the basis for this was the familiar Jaguar unit. Ever since the 1980’s TWR has been building and racing the engine in the XJ-S and Group C XJR Le Mans cars as well as their rather special JaguarSport road cars. The resulting engine is best described as a detuned race unit rather than a simply modified regular Jaguar item. Bored out to 6.4 litres it was fitted with unique ‘fast-road’ 24 valve twin overhead cam heads and a Zytec engine management system.The result is a claimed output of 475 bhp and 470 lb.ft. of torque all through  a six speed manual gearbox as used on the Corvette and appropriately, the supercharged V8 Vantage. The car has as you should expect uprated suspension and braking with wheels significantly wider than the regular i6.

Ian Callum’s updates to the shape didn’t involve changes to the metal but consisted of a revised lower air dam at the front, new rear skirt, new sills and small wheel arch extensions. Also added was an attractive rear wing that would be an attractive addition to any DB7.

Although the V12 DB7 was initially conceived as the personal car for the boss and to showcase for the talents of TWR as a special engineering company, the company must have hoped that Ford, owners of both Aston Martin and Jaguar would adopt the car for the much anticipated Vantage. Sadly this was not to be since Ford had earmarked a V12 of their own design for the higher performance Vantage derivative. The unique car was used for a few years by Tom but was eventually sold off when the financial situation at TWR deteriorated and it disappeared into a private collection, hidden from view. 

The car was photographed at the 2016 London Classic Car Show on the stand of Aston Martin specialist, Oselli, and we are grateful them for assisting with the photographs.

The Heritage Edition cars were the first AM6 Vantage to wear the racing aero kit, comprising of carbon fibre rear wing, dive planes and extended front splitter to increase downforce by 194 kg at 190 mph.

The standard UK price for the car started at £174,000 but certain liveries require a royalty payment which pushed them higher. The DBR9 Gulf car is the most expensive at £189,000. The edition was limited to 60 cars overall and it is believed the DBR9 was the most popular. Aston Martin Heritage Trust believes that the AMR1 and Razor Blade cars remain unique.

AMR1 (1989)

The AMR1 Heritage Car is finished in Club Sport White with Union Jack graphics, front to back centre stripe in blue with Mobil 1 style logos. The AMR1 was announced in August 1987 and the successor to the Nimrod, a joint venture between Aston Martin and Ecurie Ecosse and built to FISA Group C regulations. The car was powered by a 4-valve per cylinder mid-mounted V8 engine and had an advanced kevlar/carbon-fibre monocoque chassis.

Aston Martin Vantage AM6 Heritage Racing Edition in AMR1 colours.

Razor Blade (1923)

Developed by Bamford and Martin to be the first car to exceed 100 mph, it been subsequently claimed that the Razor Blade is indeed the narrowest racing car in the world. The Razor Blade car was finished in Spirit Silver with green graphics, which emulate the polished body and green painted chassis of the original 1923 car.

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6) Heritage Racing Edition – Razor Blade

Ulster (1934-35)

The Ulster team cars of 1934 and 1935and 5 in their striking Italian Racing Red paint, paid homage to one of Aston Martin’s most influential car designers – the Italian, Augustus Ceasare Bertelli. Bertelli’s cars saw much success, coming 3rd overall at Le Mans, winning its class, and finishing 4th in the RAC Tourist Trophy race. The cars are widely regarded as the pinnacle of pre-war racing cars. The Heritage Racing Edition cars were painted in Suffolk Red with white graphics and ‘Aston Martin’ written on the side gills in a delightful hand painted script as used before the second world war.

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6) Heritage Racing Edition – Ulster

DB3S (1953-56)

The Works DB3S was undoubtedly the quintessential 1950s sports racer and raced in period by by Stirling Moss, Carrol Shelby, Roy Salvadori, Reg Parnell, Peter Colins and many many more. The Heritage Edition car was finished in traditional Almond Green with contrasting yellow graphics and lipstick.

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6) Heritage Racing Edition – DB3S

DBR9 (1995-1998)

Getting more up to date with the famous Works DBR9 in Gulf livery, a highlight of Le Mans during the late 2000s. Successful in both 2007 and 2008 in the GT1 class, the car never looked better than in the iconic Gulf livery. The Heritage Racing edition cars were finished in Porsche Gulf Blue with contrasting orange graphics, lipstick and front to back centre stripe.

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6) Heritage Racing Edition – DBR9

Vantage GTE (AM6) (2018-2021)

The road car equivalent of the then current Works GTE cars finished in the AMR livery of Lime Essence with Stirling Green front to back centre stripe and orange graphics. Together with the standard fit aero package, the car closely follows the race car look.

Aston Martin Vantage (AM6) Heritage Racing Edition – GTE



Shortly after the 2021 AMHT Festival, the car was purchased by the first private owner: some the proceeds of the sale went to fund the AMHT.