Ferrari 575 GTZ "ZAGATO"

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12-13-2011, 01:38 PM

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Ferrari 575 GTZ "ZAGATO"

Ferrari 575 GTZ "ZAGATO"
575 Maranello F1 - Grand Tourisimo Zagato "GTZ"

Here's another stunner that appeared in my inbox from my friend Bill Noon. This one probably won't be everyone's cup of tea like the incredible 934 RSR Turbo from the other day but I am a sucker for these rare cars with incredible history. With that being said enjoy the images and description below.

Even though Zagato's bodies were ideally suited for competition cars, surprisingly few Ferraris have been clothed by the Milanese coach-builder over the years. Most of these were one-off specials and show cars. One notable and particularly beautiful exception was the batch of five 250 GT based Zagato Coupesbuilt between 1956 and 1959. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model, a prominent Japanese collector commissioned Zagato to create a modern day version.

Work on what was internally known as 'Project Zero' commenced in 2005. As the base for the project the Ferrari 575M 'Maranello' was chosen. Ferrari was consulted early on in the development and they granted Zagato permission to place the familiar Ferrari badges and logos on the car. One condition was that Zagato Ferrari would not be unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, where Ferrari were due to launch the 575M's replacement; the 599 GTB Fiorano. As per the agreement the 'Ferrari 575 GTZ' was revealed two months later at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

At Zagato the donor 575M Maranello had been completely stripped down and fitted with a brand new body and lavish leather interior. Constructed completely from aluminium the new coach-work featured many cues inspired by the first of the five 250 GT Zagatos. Among them was, of course, Zagato's trademark 'double bubble' roof but also the prominent front and rear fenders and the big grille. More modern touches included the front and tail lights, which were integrated in the fenders. Like the original 250 GT Zagato, the car sported a two-tone finish, although with different colours.

At the Villa d'Este launch it was immediately clear that the car would not be a one-off and that another five examples were due to be built. These were first offered to the owners of the original cars but not all of them were willing to put down the rumoured 1.5 million Euros required. Eventually customers were found for the remaining 575 GTZs. Each was built to custom order and featured individual exterior and interior cues.

The 575 GTZ was among the first of a new generation of custom Ferraris, which has led to an official factory program of which Zagato is now one of the partners. The car's dramatic stylingwas used for several successive Zagato models. Although, for obvious reasons, the V12-engined machine lacked the racing record of the original, he project was certainly a fittingtribute to the 250 GT Zagato.

Chassis 134936
Zagato Commission No. 02 (July 2006)
This particular example is the second of the six completed and has covered only 2,800 miles / 4,500 kilometers from new.

While each example was subtly different, only the first and second examples commissioned by Mr. Hayashi incorporated Zagato's fully encompassing styling efforts. Chassis 02 was also the sole example completed in all black with a deeply striking and contrasting dark green interior.

All services are completely current and up to date and the car can be road-registered for use here in the States as well as export and road-registration in all EEC and most other nations.

This is the sole example to be offered ever for private purchase and no other examples will ever be built again. If anyone has interest you can always shoot Bill an email here: BNoon@symbolicmotors.com