by Wallace Wyss –
You hear carrozzeria names like “Pininfarina, “Bertone” and “Zagato” but it’s difficult if you are a relative newcomer to foreign cars to remember some of the achievements of these firms–the cars that made their name.
Fortunately Pebble Beach has been working on this for some time and this year at their annual concours they will honor the carrozzeria’s first hundred years. It was in 1919 that Ugo Zagato founded the coachbuilding company.
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
It also continues to be owned and operated by the Zagato family, and is thriving, making it a rarity among the many coachbuilders that began in the creative “Classic Era” between the two great world wars.
“The fact that Zagato remains Zagato is very special,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “We want to honor that accomplishment, highlighting many of Zagato’s greatest creations for the collector car world to celebrate.”
The legacy of Zagato — its early technical creations, its iconic postwar designs and its ongoing presence — will all be celebrated at the coming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Two significant Zagato-bodied cars that will be on display are the Aston Martin DB4 GTZ, which was a challenge to Ferrari that didn’t quite make it, though the quality and performance was top notch. Another is a one off on a 250 GT Ferrari that is similar to the Aston but still with its own style. And of course there will be prewar Zagatos on display as well.
Ferrari 250 GTZ
We hope they include at least one of the cheeky little Abarth double bubble coupes. They may not be large in size but some will argue making a small car look good is more of a challenge than the normal sized sports car.
To read about the first 100 years of Zagato and to see a visiual history get this important book, “The Key – Top of the Classic World – 2019” – click here, and the discount coupon code: mycarquest2019 will be available to you.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss, co-host of the Autotalk show broadcast from KUCR FM radio in Riverside, California is also a fine artist, whose work can be found at Concorso Italiano.
Always good to see the blue and white Ferrari no. 0515GT. When I first restored it (Steve Tillack) it took the Hans Tanner Trophy at Pebble. The current owner, bless him, has shown it around the world.
Ed,
Here it is today – a photo I took during the Tour D’Elegance at Tehama in Carmel Valley this morning.