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Even though Zagato's bodies were ideally suited for competition cars, surprisingly few Ferraris have been clothed by the Milanese coach-builder over the years. Most of these were one-off specials and show cars. One notable and particularly beautiful exception was the batch of five 250 GT based Zagato Coupes built between 1956 and 1959. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model, a prominent Japanese collector commissioned Zagato to create a modern day version.
Work on what was internally known as 'Project Zero' commenced in 2005. As the base for the project the Ferrari 575M 'Maranello' was chosen. Ferrari was consulted early on in the development and they granted Zagato permission to place the familiar Ferrari badges and logos on the car. One condition was that Zagato Ferrari would not be unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, where Ferrari were due to launch the 575M's replacement; the 599 GTB Fiorano. As per the agreement the 'Ferrari 575 GTZ' was revealed two months later at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
At Zagato the donor 575M Maranello had been completely stripped down and fitted with a brand new body and lavish leather interior. Constructed completely from aluminium the new coach-work featured many cues inspired by the first of the five 250 GT Zagatos. Among them was, of course, Zagato's trademark 'double bubble' roof but also the prominent front and rear fenders and the big grille. More modern touches included the front and tail lights, which were integrated in the fenders. Like the original 250 GT Zagato, the car sported a two-tone finish, although with different colours.
The 575 GTZ was among the first of a new generation of custom Ferraris, which has led to an official factory program of which Zagato is now one of the partners. The car's dramatic styling was used for several successive Zagato models. Although, for obvious reasons, the V12-engined machine lacked the racing record of the original, the project was certainly a fitting tribute to the 250 GT Zagato.
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