Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato

The case for the DBS GT Zagato

The DBS GT Zagato is one of the most extreme modern Aston Martins: a DBS Superleggera rebodied by Zagato with a distinctive double-bubble roof, a full-width grille and 760 bhp from the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12. Only 19 coupes were built, and all were sold as one half of the DBZ Centenary Collection, paired with a DB4 GT Zagato continuation car at £6 million for the pair.

This is a coachbuilt collectible rather than a conventional production car. Its value lies in the combination of Zagato's centenary, the pairing with the DB4 continuation and the extreme rarity. It is also a devastatingly fast car in its own right.

What it costs to run

Underlying mechanicals are DBS Superleggera, so routine servicing is within the Aston Martin network. But the bespoke Zagato bodywork, interior and trim are unique to these 19 cars; any cosmetic or body damage requires specialist repair at corresponding cost. Insurance on a car of this value is a specialist product, and secure storage is expected by underwriters.

Owners of cars at this level typically maintain them through Aston Martin Works or equivalent specialists. Running costs are a small fraction of the car's value but still significant in absolute terms.

Known weak points

The DBS Superleggera mechanical package is robust, and the car's youth and tiny production run mean there is no meaningful pattern of issues. The real risks are specific to a coachbuilt collectible: the condition of unique body panels and trim, the completeness of documentation, and the question of whether the car is sold with its DB4 GT Zagato pair or separately.

A car separated from its pair is worth substantially less to collectors. Documentation of the pairing is essential.

What to check before buying

Provenance is everything. Verify the car's build number, its pairing documentation, and whether it is being sold with or separately from the DB4 continuation. Inspect the bespoke Zagato panels and interior for any damage. Confirm the car's service and storage history. Any purchase at this level should involve Aston Martin Works or a recognised specialist and, ideally, the factory's own records.

Market and depreciation

The DBS GT Zagato is a collector car whose value is driven by rarity and provenance rather than conventional depreciation. Cars at this level trade privately and at auction, and values depend heavily on whether the pair is intact. There is no meaningful public market data; specialist advice is essential before any transaction.

Who it suits

The established Aston Martin collector who understands coachbuilt cars and the value of the Zagato relationship. This is not a first supercar; it is a significant collectible to be held within a serious collection.

Alternatives

Ferrari 812 Superfast with Tailor Made specification, McLaren Speedtail, or other coachbuilt Zagato models.

The DBS GT Zagato, revealed in 2019, is one of the rarest modern Astons: just 19 coupes were built, and each was sold only as one half of the DBZ Centenary Collection paired with a continuation DB4 GT Zagato. Based on the DBS Superleggera with its 715hp twin-turbo V12, the Zagato adds distinctive double-bubble roof styling, a unique grille and extensive bespoke detailing. It was never available separately, which makes any market appearance an unusual event.

Ownership considerations are closer to those of a collectible art piece than a used car. The bespoke Zagato bodywork and interior elements are effectively irreplaceable outside the factory, so any damage repair must go through Aston Martin or an authorised specialist with access to the correct parts. Provenance documentation, including the car's place in the DBZ pair and its build records, is fundamental to value.

Values are in the millions and driven by collector sentiment rather than conventional used-car logic. The practical advice for a prospective buyer is narrow: verify everything through Aston Martin Works, inspect with a marque authority, store the car correctly, and understand that the car's value is inseparable from its pairing, documentation and condition. This is not a car to buy on a whim or to modify; originality is the entire proposition.

The Zagato connection stretches back to the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato, one of the most valuable Astons ever built, and the relationship has produced some of the marque's most distinctive cars. The DBS GT Zagato continues that tradition with styling that divides opinion but is undeniably dramatic. The double-bubble roof, the unique grille treatment and the bespoke interior details mark it as something special even among limited-run Astons.

The DBZ pairing means the car's market behaviour is tied to the continuation DB4 GT Zagato it was sold with. Values are in the millions and driven by collector sentiment rather than any conventional logic. For the tiny number of potential buyers, the process is through Aston Martin Works and the auction houses, with complete documentation and factory verification essential. This is a car whose significance is already established; its place in the Zagato-Aston lineage ensures its place in history regardless of market fluctuations.

The DBZ Centenary Collection pairing means the car's market behaviour is inseparable from the continuation DB4 GT Zagato it was sold with. Any market appearance is an event, and the buying process is through Aston Martin Works or the major auction houses. Factory verification of the car's identity, build records and provenance is essential. The Zagato name and the pairing's significance ensure the car's place in Aston Martin history regardless of market conditions. For the tiny number of potential buyers, this is a car whose collectability is already established.

How this review was compiled

Research-based ownership review using Aston Martin and Zagato announcements and specialist market knowledge. We have not driven this car. Any purchase requires specialist marque advice and full provenance verification.