Zagato
Better known for their work for marques such as Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Aston Martin and Bristol, Zagato only ever produced a handful of prototypes based on BMC/BLMC models.
In 1948, some five years prior to the Austin-Morris merger, they presented the Y-Type saloon-based MG 1500 Panoramica coupé. This was the only MG-based car in the series of Panoramica models which Zagato produced in the late 1940s, the others being based on a variety of models from Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati. They were so-named because of their oversized glass-houses, achieved by the pioneering use of curved side glass that would become a Zagato hallmark in later years.
During the late 1950s, Zagato also produced a couple of Jaguar prototypes, based on the contemporary XK140 and XK150 respectively.
BMC Mini Cat
Rover 2000 TCZ
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
- The cars : TVR M-Series and Taimar development story - 13 August 2022
- The converters : Jensen BMC 1100 Convertible - 12 August 2022
- The converters : Creech Mystique (BMC 1100 Hatchback) - 12 August 2022
Cool looking car ! – Rather Japanese looking tho’ 🙁
Al, you don’t suppose that the Japanese (who were buying styling in from everywhere in the 1960s) might have made their cars look like Zagato’s styling (rather than the the other way around). I reminds me of Lancias from the early 1960s when Nissan and Toyota were turning out cars that looked like they had come out of a cereal box.
Zagato Mini currently for sale through eBay; shell based in Italy, all glass included!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251048418175+&viewitem=
Not sure about the rear-lights of the Zagato Mini GT Coupe (the rear numberplate placement does not help either), might have looked better had the rear-lights been vertical more in the style of the Broadspeed Mini GT.
Both mini coupe and rover coupe are really nice. I don’t think there was any market for a mini coupe and the profit would have been small, but the Rover would have sold IMO.
While the Rover 2000 TCZ was never considered for production, would some version of it or a regular P6-based 2+2 sport tourer have been a better starting point for some Rover analogue to the Triumph Stag? Particularly when taking into consideration the Stag’s various compromises that a P6-based equivalent would not have necessarily had to deal with.
The Mini looks a little awkward with the rear overhang.
The Rover 2000 TCZ looks better, but needs better style wheels as the “bin lids” let it down.