1989 ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE ZAGATO

This Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato is a remarkable example of the marque’s esoteric Italian-designed convertible grand tourer, which is still fresh from an incredible £240,000 restoration at Aston Martin Works. Under the bonnet is the 5.3-litre fuel-injected ‘V585’ V8, producing around 315bhp, coupled to a smooth automatic transmission. The odometer shows just 341 miles, which is believed to be correct.

Automotive archivist Robert Westall states that this car left the factory on 10 November 1989, originally finished in Rolls-Royce Navy Blue with an interior of Magnolia leather, and with navy piping. Not only this, but it was also a right-hand drive car. First registered on 3 January 1990 as G880 KPW, it remained in the care of private collectors, and was offered for sale publicly in 2000, and again in 2004. Shortly after this it changed hands to its fourth UK registered keeper.

In 2012, this car was sent to the legendary Aston Martin Works for a no-expense-spared restoration. However, this would not be a refurbishment back to the exact factory specifications, but rather a bespoke rebuild in a similar manner to the ‘special request’ Aston Martins of the 1990s. It was to receive a complete colour change, a conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, upgraded suspension and braking systems, and even a custom transmission.

When the car was thoroughly inspected upon delivery to Aston Martin Works’ famous Newport Pagnell site, engineers reported that the chassis and bodywork were “as good as when first produced” and “consistent with a vehicle covering a recorded 249 miles”. This was further supported by the fact that the tyres on the car were 21 years old.

At the front of the car, there was slight fibreglass cracking above the right-hand headlight, as well as to the left of the front grille. Otherwise, the bodywork was in superb order, and while the paintwork was fairly thick, it was even, and believed to be the factory coat. As was to be expected after long-term storage, various rubber seals and bushes around the exterior and in the suspension were perishing, and there was also surface rust on the brake discs and corrosion to the steel exhaust manifolds and downpipes.

After the car was disassembled, its V8 EFi engine was removed and given a major service. All of the cooling and air-conditioning rubber hoses were renewed, along with the drive belts and ancillary belts. The engine’s cooling system was upgraded to ‘Tropical Climate’ specification with high-grade electric cooling fans and a Z-core radiator. Its air-conditioning system was refurbished to accept R134a refrigerant gas, and the starter motor was also replaced with a high-torque item. The exhaust system that had started to corrode was renewed with a complete stainless steel system.

While originally equipped with the three-speed Torqueflite transmission, the decision was made to upgrade the Zagato to a custom six-speed automatic gearbox designed by the resident Aston Martin Works engineer. The fitment included a new driveshaft, bell housing, optimised differential ratios, and a bespoke cooling system. Its rear differential was also fully overhauled. The conversion from right- to left-hand drive required replacement of the steering rack and pump, as well as associated parts.

Other mechanical upgrades included an AP Racing package for the front brakes, with larger and thicker discs and six-piston callipers. The system also employs lighter aluminium AP Racing master cylinders, and new rubber hoses throughout. Its Koni damper setup is part of the Works ‘Enhanced Handling Pack’, with a stiffer anti-roll bar, modifications to the steering arms, and revisions to the suspension geometry. All of the rubber mounts and bushes were replaced.

During the restoration, the body panels were unchanged, with the exception of the addition of a high-level third brake light being integrated into the boot lid. The car was fully stripped to the bare metal as part of the repaint, and resprayed in the Bentley Magnolia hue at the then owner’s request. All of the window and body rubber seals were renewed, and the car was also fitted with discreet front and rear parking cameras in body-coloured housings. The final bespoke touch to the exterior was the swap from the original and aged Zagato alloys to a set of period-correct 16-inch multispoke Ronal wheels.

Inside, the seats were changed to 8-way electrically adjustable items trimmed to match the rest of the interior. Otherwise, the cream upholstery on the door cards, rear cabin quarters, and transmission tunnel was also found to be in pristine order, needing nothing more than a clean. The gear knob was custom-made for the new transmission, with a machined aluminium button and wood housing, and trimmed in cream leather. Ahead of the driver, the steering wheel was re-trimmed in dark blue leather, and the instrumentation was also revised, with white facings for the gauges, and red needles and lettering. The speedometer was changed for a km/h readout item, and a new LCD gear position display was included. Finally, a contemporary Alpine 7-inch motorised head unit with built-in satellite navigation was installed, which also shows the video feed to the front and rear cameras.

This Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato is an incredible coachbuilt convertible, which has been meticulously upgraded and refined by Aston Martin Works, yet shows just 341 miles on the odometer. It has evidently been kept by collectors who have wished to own it more as a piece of automotive ‘art’ than to drive, but this could all change with the next owner. Having been thoroughly overhauled and enhanced, this Anglo-Italian grand tourer is an exceptionally rare model, which would make an eye-catching cruiser, and a wonderful modern classic to show off at events.

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As this vehicle is not UK-registered, it cannot be run through Collecting Cars’ standard online HPI check process.