Zagato Gives the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione a Bold Makeover for a Single Client
Among the rare Alfa Romeo 8C Competiziones, this bespoke example stands apart in a league of its own.
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione turned heads from the moment it debuted in the mid-2000s. Designed by Wolfgang Egger and Daniele Gaglione, this striking coupe marked the end of an era as the last Alfa to feature a V8 engine—a distinction the modern Giulia Quadrifoglio can’t claim. Of the 500 units ever produced, one stands out in spectacular fashion, particularly from the rear, thanks to the masterful touch of legendary Italian coachbuilder Zagato.
Dubbed the Alfa Romeo 8C DoppiaCoda Zagato, this contemporary reimagining of the iconic 8C made its debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este concours on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Commissioned by a wealthy Italian collector, the car remains a one-off creation—with its price kept under wraps. Yet the 8C DoppiaCoda Zagato is more than just a redesigned masterpiece; it subtly nods to Zagato’s recent AGTZ Twin Tail project, blending heritage with innovation.
A Fusion of Two Iconic Rear-End Designs
The name DoppiaCoda is more than just a clever blend of Italian words—it reflects a thoughtful combination of classic design principles. It draws inspiration from the Coda Tronca, or Kamm-tail, a truncated rear end developed by German aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm to reduce drag. But rather than adopting the traditional flat vertical cut-off, Zagato softened the execution with flowing curves, forming a circular rear profile that culminates in a rounded, sculptural tail.
Much of the original 8C Competizione’s bodywork has been dramatically reimagined beyond the distinctive tail treatment. Naturally, the 8C DoppiaCoda Zagato wouldn’t be complete without the coachbuilder’s trademark double-bubble roof—this time extending unusually far over the rear windshield. One can only hope a rearview camera was integrated into the design, as visibility from the cockpit appears to be virtually nonexistent due to the radical rear styling.
“In 2024, the AGTZ Twin Tail project explored a single car capable of converting between short-tail and long-tail configurations—essentially offering two cars in one. In contrast, the 8C DoppiaCoda embodies a seamless fusion of rounded and truncated tail designs into a single cohesive body, while maintaining the functional advantages of both.”
— Andrea Michele Zagato, President of Zagato
Not the First Coachbuilt 8C Competizione
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione has a history of inspiring coachbuilders. Carrozzeria Touring famously crafted the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring, a stunning reinterpretation of the Italian sports coupe. Zagato also put its unique stamp on the 8C back in 2010 with the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa—unveiled at the same Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este—for German collector Martin Kapp.
Zagato’s connection with Alfa Romeo runs deep, dating back to 1921 with the creation of the Tipo G1. The original 8C also carried Zagato’s signature styling, with all 195 units produced—including those built for racing and special editions for Scuderia Ferrari—crafted by the renowned coachbuilder.
