As part of the celebration of the 95th anniversary of carrozzeria Zagato of Italy, a special exhibition, “Zagato: Collectibles and Design since 1919” has opened at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Torino, Italy, and runs through March 2015.
According to a news release, the exhibition “is a special, first-time opportunity for the public to witness such a significant gathering of nine Zagato automobiles, which are typically tucked away in the world’s most exclusive private collections.”
The cars showcased in the exhibition in Italy’s premier automobile museum span the chronology of the design and coachbuilding company, from early racing through computer-aided design and engineering to current models:
- From the Corse era (1910s-20s): An Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Testafissa Zagato,
- From the Aerodynamic era (1930s-40s): A Lancia Aprilia Sport Zagato,
- From the Gran Turismo era (1950s-60s): A Maserati A6G 54 Zagato,
- From the Fuoriserie era (1960s-70s): A Lancia Flavia Supersport Zagato,
- From the CAD/CAM era (1980s-90s): An Alfa Romeo SZ
- From the contemporary Icone period:
- A 2011 Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato,
- A 2011 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale
- A 2012 BMW Zagato Coupe
- A 2014 Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake Zagato
Ugo Zagato was born in 1890 in Italy but served his coachbuilding apprenticeship in Germany. When he returned to his native country at the age of 19, he learned aircraft-building techniques and the benefits of lightweight construction and aerodynamics. He then opened his own workshop in Milano, specializing in shaping aluminum panels. Very soon, he produced his first full body, for a Fiat 501 chassis.
Zagato’s sons Elio and Gianni joined him in the business, now managed by yet another generation of the family members.
In conjunction with the exhibition at the museum, Giorgio Nada Editore has produced a limited anniversary book, Zagato Milano 1919-2014. The book was produced with access to and in cooperation with Zagato’s corporate archives.
