Aston Martin
V8 Zagato Volante

Why it matters

The V8 Zagato Volante was the open companion to the V8 Vantage Zagato, Aston Martin's low-volume answer to specials such as Ferrari's 288 GTO. Announced as a run of 25, it grew to 37 cars including two prototypes, and it differs clearly from the coupe with a fuel-injected engine and a closed nose with covered headlights.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante (Wikimedia Commons: Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante (Wikimedia Commons: Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

After the Zagato-bodied Vantage coupe, announced at Geneva in March 1985, sold out its 50-car run, an open version was approved in November 1986 and a prototype was shown at Geneva in March 1987, when a run of 25 was announced. Unlike the coupe it was based on the standard fuel-injected Volante rather than the Vantage, so that coupe buyers would not feel they had the lesser car. Customer deliveries took place between early 1988 and late 1989; 23 cars were right-hand drive and 14 left-hand drive. Around ten were later modified to Vantage specification by Works Service.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Production cars have a blanked-off nose with fixed headlights behind rotating covers, a lower bonnet without the coupe's power bulge, a power-operated hood with a plastic rear window and leather tonneau (no double-bubble roof), black A-pillars, composite nose and tail panels, 16 x 8-inch Speedline alloy wheels and no rear seats. About ten cars were converted to Vantage specification by Works Service, and the prototype, chassis 20042, began life as a coupe.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato chassis 30015 Level B Supercar Nostalgia

   • one of 37 Aston Martin V8 Volantes built with coachwork by Zagato
   • all-alloy DOHC 16 valve V8s
   • 315bhp at 5000rpm
   • ZF five-speed manual gearbox ... three-speed Chrysler Torqueflite
   • Top speed was 155mph.

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977-1989) Level A Aston Martin

   • only 50 saloons and 37 Volante versions were produced
   • DOHC V8, 5340 cc, 380 bhp @ 6000 rpm
   • Most of the Volantes used the 585 series fuel injection engine

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Guide: Aston Martin V8 Volante Zagato – a Historical & Technical Appraisal | Supercar Nostalgia Level B

   • 37 examples completed including two prototypes (23 RHD, 14 LHD); originally announced as 25. Ultimatecarpage instead says production limited to 50 – conflicting

   Accessed 2026-11-11
4. 4
   The factory prototype, 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Volante (chassis 20042) Level C Bonhams · 2012-05-19

   • Intended only for the fuel-injected 320bhp engine

   Accessed 2026-11-12