- 1,112
- Rivera
- Tsukishima-TDUDT
Of all the XK-powered Jaguars, very few received custom coachwork, and even less were bodied in Italy. However, Italian dealer Guido Modiano commissioned Zagato to rebody one of his bent XK140s. During the build, Zagato was ordered to build the car to high standards which was reflected by it's fully suede interior. Even in the Ferrari 250 Zagatos, from which this Jaguar lends some traits, suede was never ordered.
Zagato's final form was so striking, Modiano decided to showcase his 'XKZ' at the 1957 Paris Auto Salon. Afterwards a brochure was made up for Zagato XK140 conversions of which one car was completed and shown at the 1958 Geneva Auto Show. Unfortunately, the second car marked the end of the project, and within the coming years both Anglo-Italian Jags were lost, one never to return.
Decades later Scott Gauthier, found and bought the once lost XK140 Zagato from a service garage in Florida. He says it was mostly complete, but in boxes which included the suede upholstery. Restoration commenced in Italy and was completed in time for the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours. Gauthier took second in class, and has since enjoyed driving the car many miles, albeit without the original aluminum bumpers.
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