Pagani Zonda Nero (2003)

Debuted in 1999, the Pagani Zonda C12 stormed the supercar world. Born from the tireless ambition of ex-Lamborghini composites engineer Horacio Pagani, the Zonda was created to realise the ultimate, authentic driving experience. Inspired by fighter jets and 1990s prototype race cars alike, the cockpit was inset from the width of the car and visually further forward than many of its counterparts at the time. The C12 took its name from Horacio’s wife Christina ‘C’, and the 12 for the twelve cylinders of its AMG-sourced powerplant.

Pagani as a brand has become synonymous with personalisation. With factory support and sign off, cars have been able to return to the factory to enable each custodian to upgrade their car with an almost tick-box like approach, to include any number of options that have been developed since, similar to what McLaren facilitated with the F1 after production was completed. As a result, many examples are no longer in their originally supplied configuration. This example returned to the factory and as such, receieved a wealth of desirable options over and above its original specification.

Hot on the heels of the original six-litre Zonda which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, Pagani introduced a seven-litre S version at the same location twelve months later. Most notably, capacity rose to 7010cc (up 1023cc), power was increased to 550bhp (up 151bhp) and the torque rating jumped to 553lb-ft (from 420lb-ft).

Accordingly, two years after the seven-litre Zonda S was unveiled, a further uprated model was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2002. As its name suggested, the resultant Zonda S 7.3 came with an even bigger 7.3-litre version of the AMG Mercedes V12. Significantly, ABS and traction control were added as well.

The monster Type M120 7.3 AMG engine fitted to this latest iteration of the Zonda came with new titanium connecting rods and a revised air intake system.

Displacement was taken out to 7291cc (a gain of 281cc) thanks to 1.8mm larger cylinder bores (up from 89.7mm to 91.5mm). Stroke length was kept at the original 92.4mm which ensured the engine was just as responsive as before.

This example was supplied new to a Hungarian businessman who had already enjoyed his preceding Zonda S. A fan of the specification, the 7.3 was ordered to match and, as delivered, the car was optioned in Grigio Montecarlo over black leather with grey Alcantara. Moving to the second keeper, the Zonda received its first cosmetic update, with the panels below the belt line refinished in dark metallic red.

The third keeper, a resident of Malaga in southern Spain resprayed the top half of the car in pearl white and retrimmed the interior to match in red and cream hides. In 2015, the Zonda was imported and registered in the UK by official dealership Pagani UK.

The car was resprayed in black and renamed ‘Nero’. The Pagani Zonda ‘Nero’ further shares much of the aerodynamic package fitted to the Tricolore; including front canards, extended height rear wing, shark fin, side mounted air intakes.

The Nero remained on its UK registration, residing in Italy between 2015 and 2019. Returning to the UK, the car changed hands once more before purchase once more by Pagani UK in 2020.

Works were carried out at this time to upgrade the Pagani to the mechanical specification above and beyond that of the Zonda F, to match the 2010 special edition Tricolore, a car built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Frecce Tricolori’ National Aerobatics Team. The 7.3 litre V12 was fettled to incorporate the upgraded ceramic-coated titanium exhaust and Inconel manifold and titanium connecting rods. Outputting 670 PS (661hp) and 575lb ft of torque, the car is slowed with Tricolore-specification Carbon Ceramic brakes. The interior was retrimmed in Nero Alcantara and Vermiglio leather inserts.

As a result of these upgrades, the Nero is the sole manual Zonda built to Tricolore specification, with each of the original three cars optioned with the robotised 6-speed.

Following the upgrades, the Nero was purchased by its most recent custodian in who transported the car to the USA and began the long and complex process to have the Zonda federalised. As a result of this near 3 year process, carried out at great expense, the Nero is now taxes paid and able to be registered in the USA.

• Aerodynamics diffuser, canards, extended height rear wing, and central fin. Front clam and splitter are Zonda F spec.
• Exterior Color - Nero
• Interior - Zonda F spec, bespoke & re-trimmed, Alcantara/Vermiglio leather with Vermiglio stitching.
• Driver Side - Left-Hand Drive
• Steering Wheel - Zonda Tricolore spec Nardi Kallista finished in Alcantara/Nero leather with Vermiglio stitching
• Engine - 7.3 L Mercedes-AMG M120 V12
• Gearbox - 6 Speed Manual, self-locking diff
• Power - 670 PS (493 kW; 661 hp) at 6,150 rpm, Tricolore spec
• Torque - 780 N⋅m (575 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm
• Exhaust - Zonda Cinque/Tricolore spec, Inconel manifold, ceramic coated, Titanium silencer
• Brakes - Zonda F/Cinque/Tricolore/760 spec, Monolithic 4 pot rear calipers, 380 x 34 mm CCM discs
• Wheels - Zonda F Clubsport polished Aluminum/Magnesium alloy
• Suspension - Zonda F spec springs and Ohlins dampers, 4 independent wheels with double A-arm, aluminum/magnesium alloy wishbones, front and rear anti-roll bars
• Sound System - Uprated Hi Fi Sound System and Speakers

Returning to the UK in March 2024, July saw the Nero invited for display at the esteemed Goodwood Festival of Speed Cartier Style et Luxe Concours lawn beside the house. After its showing, it passed through our workshops, receiving a major and thorough service in August 2024, as well as receiving refreshed paint protection film by experts Elite Detailing.

Today the Nero presents as the ultimate road-going, manual Zonda, or a blank slate with all the (expensive!) performance options already fitted. It is accompanied by original brochures for the Zonda S 7.3 Roadster, Zonda F, both fitted pannier luggage cases, additional colour matched leather bag, suit carrier, window release pouch and even shoes! The Nero is available to view in the USA by appointment,

• Pagani Zonda One-Off
• Nero: A bespoke commission
• 2003 Zonda S 7.3-litre V12 base vehicle
• Believed to be the sole manual Zonda to Tricolore specification
• Tricolore specification engine
• Manual Gearbox
• Major Service by DK in August 2024
• Full U.S.A federalisation by J.K. Technologies
• Worldwide delivery options available
• Accompanied by complete luggage set incl. shoes