With the introduction of the V8 Vantage Zagato in 1986, Aston Martin renewed its association with one of Italy's most illustrious carrozzeria, Zagato having been responsible for that most celebrated and desirable of all post-war Aston Martins, the DB4GT Zagato.

The first prototype was shown to the public at Geneva in March 1986, and in June successfully met its design target by achieving a maximum speed of 186mph while on test with the French magazine Sport Auto.

Part of Zagato's brief had been to shed some of the standard Vantage's weight, and this was partly achieved by reducing the overall dimensions, using revised superstructure with aluminium and composite coachwork and deleting the rear seats, thus creating the first production two-seater since the DB4GT.

The 5.3-litre four-cam V8 was to the enhanced Vantage ‘X’ specifications, producing a mind-bending 432bhp at 6,200rpm.

Predictably, given the success of the coupe, a Zagato Volante convertible was not long in coming, the fir...