ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE ZAGATO
ENGINE 5341cc/V8/DOHC POWER 432bhp@6000rpm TORQUE 395lb ft@5100rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 186mph 0-60MPH 5sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 20-28mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed automatic MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 56,519km
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The vast 5.3-litre V8 burbles into life with the throb of a muscle car but with a distinctly classy British idle – linear, with no rev searching and 11psi oil pressure. This car is one of 20 left-hand drive cars and one of only eight autos. The latter works well for the age of the car with smooth shifts and no slurring. Kickdown is predictable and strong, the brakes are sharp, responsive and predictable, the suspension is quiet and compliant and there’s no slop in the steering.
BODYWORK CHECK
The British Racing Green paint is not original but the body is straight. There’s some aluminium corrosion bubbling under the offside of the rear window and the leading edges of the bonnet, some surface scratches on the boot lid and some stone chips on the nose, and while there is some corrosion on the wheels, they haven’t been kerbed.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
There’s some wear and minor creasing to the seat bolsters but no rips. A little of the paint on the speakers is flaking, there’s a
EXTERIOR
Minor scuffs Non-original paint
INTERIOR
Nicely mellowed Little work needed
MECHANICALS
Strong performance Recent work tiny rip on the top of the driver’s door leather and minor marks here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary for a car of this age. There are no rips or tears on the top of the dashboard and the headlining is excellent, though there is a minor tear in the driver’s door rubber.
UNDER THE BONNET
The vast engine bay is clean and tidy and all the fluids stay where they are supposed to. The oil seems fresh and other fluids are up to the correct positions, but part of the under-bonnet lining has come adrift. This car was originally painted Gladiator Red but was involved in a front-end prang in 1988 and laid up until 1995 when an enthusiast bought it and sent it to Aston Martin
where it was fully repaired (there’s a photographic record) and restored, before moving on to its current owner in 1997. It was also re-painted green during its time at Aston and fitted with softer suspension. More recent work has involved a brake servo overhaul and fresh oils, cables and plugs, plus a new battery. It comes with the original build sheet, brochure and workshop manual plus extensive receipts from 2004 onwards.
THE CCW VIEW
The Aston Martin Vantage Zagato is an icon of otherness from one of the most extrovert periods in motoring culture, and though its looks aren’t for everyone, fans consider it to be utterly mesmerising. This particular car feels on the button and needs only a small amount of aesthetic attention, but with its automatic gearbox and excellent mechanical condition, Europe beckons, and a long, fast drive to the Italian Dolomites would be just what’s in order. It’s hardly cheap or wholly original, but you’re buying into an extremely exclusive club after all.
1980, 79,000 miles, £6,000, good unmolested car, overdrive, Sienna, restored interior stainless exhaust and tank, 2 new tyres, historic tax, touring use, Ziebart from new, known history 0191 3843114, 07773 690156, North East 1964, £42,000, FIA race car w/ matching papers, hard top, rare spec interior, just completed full documented rebuild on a heritage sell, high spec, 1840cc engine, weber carb, roll cage, harnesses, FIA suspension 01993 849610, Great Horwood (T) www. oselli.com 2003, 67,000 miles, £1,250, 2003 3 owners from new 12 month MoT. Half leather interior red/ black. 17inch alloys, aircon, bluetooth, electric windows/ mirrors very good condition inside and out. 07960 139836, Yorkshire 1970, 81,768 miles, £5,000, ono, in semi gloss silver, new tyres, exhaust, brakes and new carpets. The car is in very good condition, tax & MoT, exempt for more information and photos please ring Jeff 07514 343831, Durham 1980, £6,195, Outstanding cond, engine rebuilt, unleaded cyl head, new carbs, tyres, hood, sills, front wings etc. Stripped to rolling shell, repainted, front suspension replaced, recon g/ box, MoT, old invoices 07899 756450, Enfield
2006, £1,200, ono, 4 door, ignition blue metallic, recent cambelt service etc. good tyres 07502 032532, Bristol 1970, 35000 miles, £8995, Very rare and in outstanding condition after a full restoration from the ground up 2 years ago, stunning show condition. 07796 133004, Twickenham, 1974, 22000 miles, £5750, Very usable classic, has had a fortune spent on it, tax and MoT exempt, did pass its MoT in April. 07874 331645, Wednesbury 1978, 20500 miles, £6000, Good solid car, excellent runner, full service, brand new alloys with barely used Avon tyres, MoT July 21. 07835 754663, Hellingly
MILEAGE 130,000 £18,999 (T) TEL 02380 766870 OR 07545 703474 (SOUTHAMPTON)
This has a very nice Mercedes hard top that comes with it in the sale, manual, petrol, 2 doors, Blue, please call for further information, (Trade). www. kinsonmotorcompany.co.uk (SC 2983) 1976, 2603 miles, £4950, with Webasto sunroof, call for further details. 079702 85668, Nottingham 1978, 90000 miles, £3750, 90,000 miles, runs a treat, leather seats, registered as a historic vehicle, call for further details. 07484669732, Glasgow,
ENGINE 2972cc/V6/OHC POWER 141bhp@5200rpm TORQUE 171lb ft@2400rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 117mph 0-60MPH 10sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 18-25mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, three-speed automatic MoT January 2021 ODOMETER 46,800 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
There’s no doubt that this a vehicle of character in excellent condition that can’t help make you smile. Deeply embedded in squashy red Dralon style comfort all you really have to do is sit there and look cool while the wonderfully flexible V6 does its work. There’s loads of torque and the smooth threespeed automatic does its job well, sliding virtually unnoticed though the gears. In fact, the engine and transmission feel like they have years of life left in them. The kickdown works well, too, and there is a very pleasant and purposeful engine note. The car rides well and corners predictably enough, though this is not a vehicle you’d choose to tackle winding hairpins. This example certainly shows no evidence of welding or suspension wear, however – in fact, it seems to be in altogether rude health.
BODYWORK CHECK
We wonder who thought it was a good idea to produce a convertible with a white hood? This was scheduled to undergo minor repairs at the time of our test, which we gather have
EXTERIOR
Superb, with no corrosion
INTERIOR
Very red Everything seems to work
MECHANICALS
No issues with engine or gearbox now been completed. There is no evidence that the roof has ever leaked and the electronic mechanism that operates it works fine. As for the body, well, if carefully detailed this wouldn’t be far from concours. There are no signs of rot, welding or dents anywhere. The radiator grille and mouldings are really good for a 26-year-old car, as are the wheels and tyres.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
Who truly could not love this testimony to man’s desire to come up with as many red things as possible in a car’s cabin? Everything is in really good condition, too, and it all works, including the radio, electric windows and air conditioning. The
seats, carpets and door trims have no evidence of wear whatsoever and it all supports the impression that this car has been looked after extremely well. There’s plenty of room in the back, too.
UNDER THE BONNET
The Mitsubishi-sourced engine looks extremely clean and appears to run beautifully and keep its cool and with absolutely no signs of wear apparent. The ancillaries also look equally well kept and the coolant and oil levels are correct and the fluids clean.
THE CCW VIEW
We absolutely loved this Le Baron; in fact, it nearly came home with us. It’s been owned and cherished by a Chrysler collector but is now surplus to requirements – hence the need to sell. You do seem to get an awful lot of car for your £2700 – a pristine convertible with an ultra-reliable power unit and loads of character. It’s a car that has more of a 1980s than a 1990s character about it, and that vivid interior would make anyone smile.
1956, £4,750, 4-door, split screen, painted in a beautiful shade of grey with a charming red leather interior. Recently out of storage & had light recommissioning work undertaken. 12 months full MoT. 07824 778017, Suffolk 1956, 98000 miles, £3500, 1 family owned car from new, apart from me, been in storage for many years, lots of history. 07780 310116, Barnet 1971, 89500 miles, £8250, Rare Limeflower, last taxed and on the road in 1996, repaired many times for MoT, many new parts, full 12 months MoT, no advisories. 07970858666, Coventry, 1972, 32000 miles, £4500, Drives really well, everything works as it should, not a concours car so please do not expect perfection. 07976 216720, Worcester 1984, 136500 miles, £32000, Great condition, owned for 7 years, garaged, many new parts, a great car which turns heads. 07866 311147, Leamington Spa