1989 Aston Martin V-8 Volante Convertible Coupe

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Coupe was introduced nearly three decades after the DB4GT Zagato. Production was limited to just 50 examples and the entire order book was completely filled due to the strength of the basic concept, design drawings, and a scale model in Geneva in 1985. The Zagato bodywork was built from aluminum and the interior had the rear seats deleted, creating the first two-seat Aston Martin since the DB4GT. The Tadek Marek–designed 5.3-liter, four-cam V-8 was tuned to produce over 430 horsepower, giving the car a top speed of 186 km/h.

With the success of the Zagato coupe, plans were made for an open-top version. In 1987, Aston Martin introduced the Volante Zagato convertible at the Geneva Auto Show. The chassis was given more torsion rigidity to accommodate for the lack of a fixed roof. The Volante was fitted with the V/585 electronic fuel-injected V-8 which meant a bonnet bulge was no longer needed.

The current owner acquired the car in 2010 and then had it sent to Aston Martin Works, where a full restoration began, with the intention to upgrade the car both physically and mechanically to Vantage specification. Currently, the original engine is fitted with Weber carburetors which meant it required a power bulge. The front headlamps and grille were also modified to Vantage specification. Chassis 30026 is one of just six Volantes to have ever been returned to Works for this extremely rare upgrade.

Aston Martin built 37 examples of the V8 Volante Zagatos which includes 12 original left-hand-drive cars. This example is one of our equipped with an automatic gearbox.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020