2003 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato – The first Coupe

Born out of a chance meeting between Aston Martin Lagonda CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, and Andrea Zagato at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours, the DB7 Zagato revived the decades-old partnership between the two brands. With a production run of only 99 market vehicles, the DB7 Zagato is one of Aston Martin’s most exclusive models

Based on a short-chassis version of the DB7 GT, the DB7 Zagato caused an instant uproar in the motoring world. It had been 40 years since David Brown had released the DB4 GT Zagato, and the press were clamouring for the first look at what Henrik Fisker, chief designer for Aston Martin, and Andrea Zagato, had created. The steel body shell, crafted in Italy at the Zagato factory, featured the classic ‘double-bubble’ Zagato roofline with a specially sculpted rear window. Behind the large front grille, Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated 5,900-cubic centimetre engine drove a six-speed manual transmission – the DB7 GT engine now upgraded to produce an astonishing 440 brake horsepower. With top speeds of over 300 km/h and a record of 0–100 km/h in just five seconds, the DB7 Zagato blew its potential customers away

The current owner of production number 001 was dining with Dr Ulrich Bez when he first learnt that Aston Martin was proposing a new Zagato model. Immediately enthused by the prospect of resurrecting the legendary Aston Martin Zagato partnership, and without even having seen a design sketch, he agreed to purchase the first car then and there. After dinner in the bar, he saw the initial sketches for what would become the DB7 Zagato, and an improvised contract was drawn up for the very first car on the only slip of paper available – a napkin

According to Dr Bez’s assistant, this famous napkin was later framed and hung in the CEO’s office to commemorate this first order, and the contract remained valid as the other 98 vehicles were sold. Eventually, chassis number 700001 was delivered to its owner, finished in Nero Black over Claret Red leather. Optional extras included brushed aluminium trim in place of the standard wood, upgraded satnav and stereo, and heated front windscreen. Since delivery in 2003, this DB7 Zagato has been carefully looked after and properly maintained at regular intervals