Zagato: The Masterful Artisans Behind Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini's Exclusive Bespoke Supercars
When discussing bespoke automotive design, few names carry the prestige of Zagato. This legendary Italian coachbuilder has been at the forefront of automotive artistry since its inception in 1919. Specializing in creating one-of-a-kind or limited-production cars, Zagato has been the go-to partner for luxury brands like Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini when they desire to elevate their vehicles into something extraordinary.
A Storied History of Innovation
Founded by Ugo Zagato in Milan, the company initially focused on applying aircraft design principles to automotive bodies. This experience in aviation inspired Zagato to create lightweight, aerodynamically efficient designs that stood out for their performance and style. In the early years, Zagato forged partnerships with Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Maserati, producing race cars that dominated tracks across Europe. Zagato's lightweight bodies were integral to Alfa Romeo's success in events such as the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The company’s design philosophy centers around purity of form and function, resulting in sleek, streamlined silhouettes. Despite being a century old, Zagato's aesthetic remains cutting-edge, marked by its signature double-bubble roofs, a design element introduced in the 1950s for enhanced aerodynamics and headroom in race cars.
Ferrari and Zagato: A Unique Tribute Born from Friendship
Zagato holds a unique place among Italian coachbuilders, particularly in its relationship with Ferrari, thanks to the 30-year friendship between Ugo Zagato and Enzo Ferrari. Their partnership began in the 1920s when Ferrari, as a test driver for Alfa Romeo, encountered Zagato’s lightweight constructions, likely starting with the Tipo G1 Corsa. Ferrari himself favored Zagato’s aircraft-inspired coachworks, which he also represented in his Modena dealership of Scuderia Ferrari.
This historical bond led to Zagato’s tradition of paying tribute to Ferrari every decade, beginning in 1947. The Nibbio Collection, which includes models like the Ferrari 250 GTZ, 575 GTZ, and 599 GTZ, is a prime example of this homage. These cars reflect the technical innovations of their era while embodying Zagato’s forward-looking design language, a practice started by Ugo Zagato in 1947 to celebrate Carrozzeria's milestones.
Porsche and Zagato: A Remarkable and Victorious Partnership
Zagato has cultivated numerous significant relationships throughout its history, forming connections with some of the most influential figures in automotive history. One such partnership is with Ferry Porsche, with whom Elio Zagato began collaborating in the 1950s.
It started after the 1955 European GT Championship in Avus, where Elio Zagato, driving a Fiat 8V, defeated the Porsche 356s. Following this loss, Ferry Porsche entrusted Zagato with designing and producing a new Speedster model, which went on to be both fast and successful. Building on this success, Zagato was later tasked with developing a Coupé. The final piece in the Trilogy, the Porsche GTL, with its Zagato coachwork, led Ferry Porsche to victories at Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Targa Florio for three consecutive years
Today, this collaboration is honored with the Porsche Sanction Lost Trilogy, which revives iconic one-off designs from Porsche and Zagato. In bringing these legendary cars back to life, Zagato is commemorating a remarkable partnership, while celebrating a legacy of turning defeat into victory.
Lamborghini and Zagato: Redefining Boldness
Zagato’s partnership with Lamborghini is one of the most spectacular in the world of exotic supercars. Known for creating some of the most radical designs in the automotive industry, Lamborghini's collaboration with Zagato push the boundaries even further, blending the wild spirit of Lamborghini with the refined, aerodynamic touch of Zagato.
One of the most notable outcomes of this collaboration is the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato, which debuted in 2014 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este; the model name celebrates the double anniversary: 50 years of Lamborghini and 95 years of Zagato. Built on the platform of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4, the 5-95 Zagato was a dramatic reinterpretation of Lamborghini’s mid-engine supercar. The body was entirely redesigned by Zagato to reflect its unmistakable style, featuring a curvier, more organic shape with a futuristic twist. The distinctive double-bubble roof and the rounded rear end, reminiscent of Zagato’s earlier works, contrasted beautifully with Lamborghini’s aggressive lines. This collaboration resulted in a car that was both unmistakably Lamborghini and inherently Zagato—raw power encased in a bespoke, hand-crafted body.
Its design served as a bold statement of the possibilities when two automotive powerhouses unite: Lamborghini’s penchant for extreme performance coupled with Zagato’s unrivaled mastery of form.
A Legacy of Exclusivity
What makes Zagato’s collaborations with Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini so special is not just the designs themselves but the rarity of the cars. Often, these cars are produced in ultra-limited numbers, with each vehicle tailored to its owner’s specifications. The partnership between these luxury brands and Zagato creates cars that are not only performance beasts but also highly sought-after collector’s items.