The modern resurrection of the pinnacle Aston Martin of the David Brown era, the DB4 GT Zagato, the DB7 Zagato marked only the third collaboration between the renowned British automaker and the fabled Italian coachbuilder in 40 years. Introduced to great acclaim at the Paris Motor Show of 2002, the DB7 Zagato—like the DB4 GT before it—retained Aston Martin’s traditional grille, only larger, while the bodywork was fully unique, including Zagato’s trademark “double bubble” roofline, sculpted rear window, and a drop-down bootlid flanked by single round taillights. Special five-spoke alloy wheels proved a fitting complement to the car’s striking appearance. The interior was equally lavish and appointed with a special aniline leather with quilted seating, for a luxurious, timeless appearance.

This stunning bodywork was mounted on a unique chassis, shortened by 151 millimeters, which helped to reduce the car’s front and rear overhangs, while also trimming nearly 130 pounds of weight—allowing for slightly increased performance over the standard DB7 and making its combination of a 435-horsepower V-12 and six-speed manual transmission all the more thrilling.

Only 99 examples of the DB7 Zagato were produced, and they were allocated solely to the European, Asian, and UK markets; a roadster counterpart, the DB AR1, was instead sold exclusively in the United States. Unlike the DB7 Zagato, the DB AR1 did not have the shortened chassis and as a result was more of a GT car than a sports car.

The 40th example built, the DB7 Zagato presented here is one of the most spectacular of the very few to have since come to American shores. Its very existence speaks to the dedication of its first owner, a noted connoisseur of significant modern supercars. He had the car imported from England in 2005, after a factory conversion to left-hand drive and a refinish in Aston Martin Green over a distinctive light green interior—an unusual livery that matched that of the DB AR1 that was also in his stable!

The car was then acquired by collector Orin Smith in 2015, joining an impressive assemblage of classic and sports cars, notably including a 1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante. It passed to only its third owner from new in 2017. It has been scarcely driven, displaying just 690 miles at time of cataloguing, and has been preserved in essentially as-delivered condition. It most recently benefitted from an oil change and service in 2024, and is accompanied by owner’s books in a serialized folio and car cover.

Uncommon by any measure, and exceedingly rare in the United States, Aston Martin DB7 Zagato the celebrates the classic collaboration between one of Britain’s hallowed marques and one of Italy’s most acclaimed carrozzerias in typically flamboyant fashion. Truly a celebration of modern coachbuilding, this beautifully preserved example would make for a distinctive addition to any collection of fine sportscars.