The company was established at the end of the First World War by Ugo Zagato, putting aircraft industry construction techniques to use in the expanding market for passenger vehicles.

Zagato's cars were advanced in design and immediately became synonymous with light weight and excellent aerodynamics.

Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia immediately realised the advantages of Zagato's rakish, streamlined designs.

A collaboration followed which saw the creation of a series of legendary racing cars, such as the Alfa Romeo 1500, then the 1750 Gran Sport - the ancestor of every GT car ever made - and the 2300 8C.

Zagato-bodied cars took class wins in every edition of the Mille Miglia, and the Milanese constructor's name was associated with some of the most famous drivers in motor sports history, including Ferrari, Nuvolari, Ascari, Fangio, Moss, Scarfiotti, Bandini, De Adamich . . .

After the Second World War, a new racing category took off - the GT class. A pioneering privateer racing scene quickly established itself, and Zagato was the marque that became its representative, with cars that were great on the road and, come Sunday, were unbeatable on the track.

Avant-garde styling, together with light weight and wind-cheating lines were a trademark that distinguished Zagato's models for the leading sports car manufacturers of that era - Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, Abarth, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

In addition to the cars that were produced officially in small series, the company also built exclusive one-offs and prototypes for other illustrious marques, such as Ford, Jaguar, MG, Rover, Volvo, Bristol and Rolls Royce.

Motor sports exploits were followed by critical acclaim when the company received the Italian design award, the Compasso d'Oro (Golden Compass), for its design coherence: Zagato's styling is individual, but has never been influenced by fashions of the moment.