Let’s be real, every vehicle that Aston Martin makes is special. But like other exotic car marques, some of the British brand’s models are a bit more special than others. With just 50 examples made between 1986 and 1990, the V8 Vantage Zagato coupe is one such car. But even among those rare Italian-styled Grand Tourers, one stands as the most exceptional: Chassis number 20013, which is a one-of-a-kind example that’s currently for sale.
This 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato is special for a few reasons. It was the first production example, and it was owned by actor Rowan Atkinson — AKA Mr. Bean — who purchased the car secondhand in 1989. Atkinson, a renowned car enthusiast, had the vehicle converted to AMOC C2 Class ‘Mildly Modified’ racing specs by Aston Martin Works, the only V8 Vantage Zagato to ever undergo such a treatment, likely making it the most tuned version of the car ever made. The car saw its weight reduced from 1,600kg to 1,485kg while the output of the 5.3L V8 engine was increased to 482HP from 430HP. Racing-specific brakes and suspension were also added to the car. Atkinson raced the car himself for over a decade before crashing it in 2001 and having it rebuilt before selling it. More recently, a newer owner in 2016 had some work done on the car to make it friendlier for road use, but the quirkier racing materials and more powerful engine were left as is.
This one-of-one Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato is for sale now through UK dealer Dylan Miles via Pistonheads. Price is by request only, so drop them a line if you’ve got a few hundred grand (or more) to burn.
