Exploring the Collaborative Designs of Zagato and Nissan

Rare ONES - Carrozzeria Zagato, the esteemed Italian coachbuilder based in Milan, has established fruitful partnerships with global automotive manufacturers, including Nissan. Together, they have created distinctive and unique models that often go unnoticed by car enthusiasts.

The Autech Stelvio AZ1 was collaboration results of Zagato and Autech, a specialized division of Nissan then. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

Let's embark on a captivating journey through the collaborative design endeavors of Zagato and Nissan, immersing ourselves in the realm of their prototypes from the late 1980s and early 1990s. These extraordinary creations, though deserving of recognition, have largely remained hidden from the public eye, waiting to be unveiled and appreciated.

The Autech Stelvio AZ1: A Striking Prototype

It produced from 1988 to 1989 under the commission of Autech, a specialized division of Nissan then. The Autech Stelvio AZ1 features unusual design elements. A deep tunnel above the front fender serves as a mirror housing, while another visual disruption is provided by a striking deep ledge that runs around the car. 

The Autech Stelvio AZ1 features unusual design elements with a deep tunnel above the front fender serves as a mirror housing. (Picture from: TheTruthAboutCars)

Besides carrying a unique exterior design, the Autech Stelvio AZ1 carries a 3,000 cc V6 engine. This engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission system distributes power to drive its rear wheels. 

Unfortunately, the Stelvio's weird design has faced significant criticism and is often considered one of the worst car designs ever made. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

Astonishingly, the Stelvio was the only Zagato design to enter series production, with only 104 units sold out of the planned 200. Unfortunately, the Stelvio's design has faced significant criticism and is often considered one of the worst car designs ever made.

The Nissan 300 Seta: Refined Elegance

In contrast, the Nissan 300 Seta, introduced in 1992, showcases a more refined and sophisticated design. This concept car built based on the mechanics of the Nissan 300ZX, recalled the glories of the classic Italian GranTurismo cars of the 1950s.

The Nissan 300 Seta, introduced in 1992, showcases a more refined and sophisticated design, recalled the glories of the classic Italian GranTurismo cars of the 1950s. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

Its rounded surfaces and well-proportioned contours evoke the timeless elegance of Zagato's Aston Martin DB4 GTZ from the 1960s. Thoughtful details, such as small tail lights reminiscent of classic designs, add to its charm. 

Its rounded surfaces and well-proportioned contours evoke the timeless elegance of Zagato's Aston Martin DB4 GTZ from the 1960s. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

While the front end is less dramatic, it incorporates subtle elements inspired by Zagato's Aston Martin, like projector headlamps and discreet air intakes.

The Nissan 300 Bambù: Falling Short of Expectations

The Nissan 300 Bambù created in 1993 by continuing the wedge theme seen in Zagato's Alfa Romeo ES-30. Like its sibling Seta, this car is also based on the Nissan 300ZX, which aimed at modern compact lines inspired by the truncated tail and the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato.

The Nissan 300 Bambù created in 1993 by continuing the wedge theme seen in Zagato's Alfa Romeo ES-30. (Picture from: UltimateSpecs)

The Bambu is less slab-sided than that Alfa, and features a subtle (maybe too subtle) version of the trademark twin-hump roof, plus a raised hood surface running from the windshield to the front air intake. Although it incorporates Zagato's signature raised hood surface and twin-humped roof, the overall design lacks harmony. 

The Bambù is less slab-sided than that Alfa, and features a subtle (maybe too subtle) version of the trademark twin-hump roof, plus a raised hood surface running from the windshield to the front air intake. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

On the topic of chassis details responsible for road holding, handling behavior and ride comfort, the Bambù has coil springs. For stopping power, the Nissan 300 Bambù braking system includes at the front and at the rear.

The Autech Gavia: Hindered by Economic Challenges

During the same period, Zagato introduced the Gavia for Autech as a replacement for the Stelvio. The bodywork is made entirely of aluminum which Zagato made by hand. While the side mirrors are similar to one attached on Honda CRX Del Sol, while the light units are taken from Nissan Silvia.

Zagato introduced the Gavia for Autech as a replacement for the Stelvio, struggled to gain traction, resulting in limited sales compared to its predecessor. (Picture from: Autovisie.nl)

Meanwhile, Autech Gavia also has a unique interior with a few Italian touches here and there. That said, the gear selection is taken straight from an '80s-era Nissan.

The Autech Gavia by Zagato may look like an '80s vision of a futuristic GT coupe, but its foundations are much simpler. (Picture from: Autovisie.nl)

However, due to the declining Japanese economy, the Gavia struggled to gain traction, resulting in limited sales compared to the Stelvio. So during the production period, said only 15 to 20 Gavias were produced.

Nissan's Independent Success: The Z32 Nissan 300ZX

Meanwhile, Nissan independently developed the Z32 version of the 300ZX, which showcased sleek and balanced design elements reminiscent of Zagato's finest works. This in-house design successfully integrated Zagato's influence, resulting in aesthetically pleasing and well-proportioned cars.

The Z32 Nissan 300ZX, successfully integrated Zagato's influence, creating visually appealing and well-balanced cars. (Picture from: MotorBiscuit)

In conclusion, the collaborative designs between Zagato and Nissan have produced a mix of intriguing and underwhelming prototypes. As You could be seen on the Stelvio faced criticism, the Seta exemplifies the refined elegance of Zagato's design philosophy.

Despite the Bambù was short of expectations nor the challenges faced by the Gavia, Nissan's independent designs, such as the Z32 Nissan 300ZX, successfully integrated Zagato's influence, creating visually appealing and well-balanced cars. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARCHIOPROTOTIPI | CARROZZISERI-ITALIANI | POESCHLONCARS | THETRUTHABOUCARS | CARTHROTTLE | AUTOVISIE.NL | ID.MOTOR1 | MOTORBISCUIT ]

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