The Essence of Zagato - A conversation with Andrea Zagato

The name Zagato needs no introduction. The coachbuilding company has been collaborating with multiple high-end car manufacturers to roll out collectible cars for about a century. When the Zagato name is associated with an automobile, you can be sure there’s something exceptional about it. While some of the designs are polarizing, most have a special appeal that’s appreciated by enthusiasts and collectors. Regardless of the opinions on the designs, there’s no denying the artistic flair.

Andrea Zagato is the current CEO and grandson of the founder, Ugo Zagato. We had questions about the company’s current goals, its notable projects, and what the future holds. He had some interesting answers while affirming their commitment to the Zagato legacy.

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m Andrea Zagato, the President and third-generation at the helm of Zagato, a legendary Italian coachbuilder that has been at the forefront of automotive design since its inception over 105 years ago. Founded by my grandfather, Ugo Zagato in Milan in 1919, the company originally focused on aeronautical design. I grew up surrounded by this history, but didn’t initially see myself joining the family business - I actually dreamt of being a vet. However, life took a different turn when my father asked for my help, I decided to study economics and commerce at Bocconi University, eventually joining Zagato.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various departments, from communications to finance, before taking on significant projects like the Alfa Romeo S.Z. and Lancia Hyena, now a coveted collector’s item. Today, as President, my mission is to preserve our independence as a company, which allows us to collaborate with the likes of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Iso Rivolta, while maintaining our unique design language. My role is not just about leading Zagato it’s about honoring a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, while guiding it toward the future of car design.

Zagato has been around for more than 100 years. What do you believe is the most important factor that contributed to the company's longevity?

The most important factor behind Zagato's longevity is our unwavering commitment to our own design philosophy, rather than following trends. From the very beginning, we've been inspired by the idea of building “an airplane on wheels” - focusing on clean, functional, and timeless design. While many automotive companies have shifted with changing tastes and trends, we've stayed true to our roots. This means that our cars often evoke strong emotions - you either love them or you don’t - but they’re always distinctive. By staying independent and producing in limited numbers, we ensure that our cars reflect both our DNA and that of our clients, resulting in truly iconic, timeless designs. This focus on simplicity and functionality, rooted in the Milanese principles of rationalism, has allowed us to navigate more than 100 years of evolution in the automotive world. As we move forward, even with the rise of digitalization and electric vehicles, we continue to prioritize aesthetic purity and craftsmanship—values that have sustained us for over a century.

How would you describe Zagato's business today?

Zagato today remains a coachbuilder, not an automotive manufacturer, and that's a key distinction. Our approach is akin to that of an architect - we design the car’s body, paying close attention to the lines, shapes, and overall aesthetic. We work with donor cars from manufacturers, respecting their brand identity, particularly at the front of the car, while allowing ourselves creative freedom in areas like the greenhouse and rear. Each project we undertake is a collaborative effort between us and the manufacturer, a blending of our design language with their engineering.

The process is long and meticulous, often taking three to five years, because we don’t just build cars - we craft pieces of automotive art. Our focus has always been on creating collectible items in very limited numbers rather than producing vehicles for mass consumption — from one-offs to runs of 99 units, all Zagato cars are designed here at our atelier in Milan and, on average, Zagato cars triple the value of the original donor car. Though the landscape has changed with large automotive groups, making collaboration more complex, we continue to maintain strong relationships with manufacturers who value our expertise. And once a client works with us, they often return for more, appreciating the depth of the experience and the iconic status that comes with a Zagato collaboration.

The Aston Martin Vanquish projects caught the attention of many exotic car fans. In your opinion, what made the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato and the DBS GT Zagato so special?

What makes the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato and the DBS GT Zagato truly remarkable is how they blend the DNA of both brands to create something greater than the sum of its parts. For example, the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato captures attention with its sculpted, aerodynamic design, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The characteristic "double-bubble" roof and distinctive taillight design evoke Zagato's aeronautical roots, while maintaining Aston Martin's signature elegance. The collaboration results in a car that's not only visually striking but also extremely rare with limited production runs.

Similarly, the DBS GT Zagato represents the pinnacle of this partnership. Part of the DBZ Centenary Collection, it pairs a modern Aston Martin DBS with a reimagined DB4 GT Zagato. Its aggressive, powerful 760-horsepower V12 engine ensures high performance, but it's the bespoke bodywork and detailed craftsmanship, such as the 3D-printed interior finishes and a grille that adapts to driving conditions, that truly set it apart. Aston Martin's heritage combined with Zagato’s artistic flair results in a car that’s not just a mode of transport, but a piece of art designed to be appreciated by discerning collectors.

The AGTZ Twin Tail is a unique car. What was the vision behind the project?

The concept of producing a car with two interchangeable tails - longtail and shorttail - gives owners the flexibility to essentially own "two cars in one," switching between the sleek, elongated longtail for high-speed stability and aerodynamic performance, and the more compact, muscular shorttail, ideal for tighter, more dynamic driving environments. This visionary approach mirrors Zagato’s tradition of creating cars that are as much works of art as they are engineering marvels.

The project, a collaboration with La Squadra, taps into the history of the A220 racecar, honoring its dual body styles with a modern twist. Each of the 19 cars in the limited line undergoes a meticulous 1000-hour build process, ensuring that every detail is perfectly executed. The media success and pre-sale figures (already 75% have been sold) reflect the rarity and desirability of our trailblazing design.

Another very interesting project Zagato worked on is the Porsche 356 Carrera GTL Zagato Sanction Lost. How did that project come about?

The Porsche 356 Carrera GTL Zagato Sanction Lost originated from a story in the late 1950s when Ferry Porsche worked with Zagato to create a special lightweight GTL racing model following Porsche’s defeat in Avus, Germany. After successfully testing the collaboration with Zagato, Ferry Porsche asked for a coupè version and next, a design improvement of the latter. The idea to revive the Porsche 356 Carrera GTL came about through a shared passion between Zagato and Porsche enthusiasts, who wanted to reconstruct a piece of automotive history with utmost fidelity to the original design, while incorporating the craftsmanship and technological advances of modern coachbuilding. This revival is part of Zagato’s Sanction Lost Trilogy, which honors Porsche models from the 1950s and 60s, beginning with the 1958 Speedster and continuing with the 356 BT5 Coupe.

The Porsche Carrera GTL Zagato is a hand-beaten aluminum masterpiece powered by the iconic Carrera Fuhrmann 4-cam engine, delivering over 170HP. This limited series brings the car back to life with a keen attention to detail, from its aerodynamics to its faithful recreation of the 1960s prototype. The project was celebrated with the delivery of the first car at an exclusive event in Venice earlier this year, where guests were treated to a cinematic presentation on the car’s creation and customization. This project is a tribute to Ferry Porsche's ability to turn defeat into triumph, as the original GTL went on to secure victories at Nürburgring, Le Mans, and Targa Florio for three years in a row. For Zagato, it represents the intersection of Italian craftsmanship and Porsche’s racing spirit.

Zagato has worked on projects besides automobiles. Tell us about two of these

Over the years, we’ve ventured into projects beyond the pure automotive world, always carrying our core design philosophy with us. Among the notable collaborations in the transportation field is the one with New Holland, where we designed the cab of their high-end tractors. This required an intense focus on ergonomics, comfort, and functionality, as farmers spend long hours on these machines. Drawing from our expertise in luxury car interiors, we helped create a space that prioritized the user experience, with a focus on luxurious comfort and cutting-edge technology, making the tractor’s cabin almost as high-end as a premium car.

Another exciting project was our work in the aviation and boat sector, where we applied our design language to a range of private aircraft interiors. The challenge was to merge our signature aesthetic with strict aeronautical requirements. In both projects, our approach was not just about "the look" but about enhancing the user experience, whether through comfort in long-use situations or by integrating advanced materials and ergonomic design. Outside of the world of transportation, we had an amazing collaboration with Leica to create limited-edition Zagato cameras, as well as a project with Chopard for limited-edition chronographs, which were launched in Kyoto in 2019 for Zagato’s Centenary Celebration. The unifying theme of these partnerships is that they are born to be collectibles.

The company is planning to open two portals soon, one in Greenwich and another in Boca Raton. What is the company aiming to achieve with these, and how were the locations chosen?

We’re always seeking ways to bring enthusiasts deeper into our world, and that’s what the domus project is all about. These new domus portals will serve as gateways for us to connect directly with clients and collectors, so they can experience the Zagato story firsthand and become a part of the design process - especially in the U.S., where we have a significant collector base. We chose these locations strategically and places like Greenwich, CT and South Florida are home to passionate groups who appreciate our limited edition works of art. We don’t use traditional dealers, so these portals will serve as immersive spaces for collaboration, where clients can design their own cars. This approach flips the traditional model of car manufacturing, placing the client’s vision at the heart of our creative process. Through these portals, we’re opening up a piece of Casa Zagato to the world.

If you were to describe the company's philosophy with just one word, what would that word be and why?

“Essential Beauty.” At Zagato, we prioritize simplicity and purpose in our designs, stripping away any unnecessary elements to enhance performance and longevity. Our design language, rooted in our aeronautical heritage, emphasizes rationalism; we believe in the power of subtraction rather than addition. Take our iconic double bubble for example, it’s not just a stylistic choice - it serves a crucial function for racing drivers, allowing for a lower profile without compromising aerodynamics. Style may be attractive, but it should never come at the cost of performance. Ferrari would say that, “The car that wins the race is the most beautiful.” Why? Because it has fulfilled its purpose, not just by looking beautiful, but by achieving what it was designed to do: win.

What's next for Zagato? Are there plans to expand into other areas?

At Zagato, we honor our rich legacy while remaining attuned to the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. As the industry moves toward digitalization and electric vehicles, cars are becoming more standardized and what’s under the bonnet (the inverter, motor, battery) will look the same. We see this as an opportunity for a renaissance in coachbuilding. With components becoming uniform across various models, customers will increasingly choose vehicles based on aesthetics and emotional resonance rather than mechanical specifications. This shift reaffirms the significance of design in the automotive world, and we are excited to play a pivotal role in this transformation.

Looking ahead, we are launching new Domus locations globally to join the successful program in Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. Our next focus is the USA, where we are evaluating prospective partners.