Although Aston Martin and Zagato are now firm collaborators, the partnership was not always so solidified.

In 1960, Aston Martin commissioned Zagato to reimagine its DB4GT, the short-wheelbase, track-honed version of the DB4 for the following season.

The car debuted at the 1960 Earls Court Motor Show in London and was immediately lauded for its stunning blend of Aston Martin’s signature shape with design cues that were undoubtedly Zagato.

Few were built, and despite its racing success, Aston Martin did not pursue a successor.

It was more than two decades before Aston Martin once again called upon the Milanese design firm for an angular, modern version of the V8 Vantage coupe.

While an immediate hit upon its debut, fewer than 100 examples were ultimately commissioned before the two firms parted yet again.

In 2002, Aston Martin reached out to Zagato for a shortened version of its DB7 that harked back to the original DB4 Zagato.

This time, the relationship had staying power and sub...