Aston Martin DB7 Zagato

Think big carmakers can't successfully produce niche-market cars? Aston Martin isn't a big carmaker, but it's owned by one--Ford. Dearborn and Ford's Premier Automotive Group management are supporters of Aston's freedom to dream, the results of which aren't likely to get any more dreamlike than the DB7 Zagato.

The original DB4GT Zagato (only 19 were built in 1961), remains a high watermark among Astons. The premise was elegantly simple: a stunning, light alloy body, designed and built by Italian carrozzeria Zagato, draping a shortened DB4 chassis and powertrain. Today's DB7 Zagato concept, the third collaboration between these two companies, relies on much the same principles. The standard DB7 chassis is shortened by 60 mm in the wheelbase and 211mm overall. It's wrapped in shapely aluminum skin conceived by Aston's chief designer Henrik Fisker and Andrea Zagato.

Front and rear overhangs are reduced, track is increased, and weight drops by an estimated 130 lb. Aston Martin's superb 6.0L V-12 will power this rakish GT, backed by a six-speed manual transmission. Brakes, suspension, and rolling stock are uprated for sportier handling and performance. Its hand-stitched leather interior is also unique to this model.

The DB7 Z is far from a done deal, though we're betting it will happen. As of this writing, Aston Martin plans to show the car to its current and potential clientele to gauge interest and determine if it can make a business case to build between 75 and 99 made-to-order examples. Assembly would take place in the U.K., with the aluminum bodywork coming from Italy.

Let's hope it flies: The DB7 Zagato is just too unique, historic, and achingly handsome to remain just a vision.