There are collector cars that command eight figures due to age and provenance, such as variants of the Pagani Zonda Riviera, set to cross the auction block through RM Sotheby’s early next month, defines the latter.
Since the boutique Italian marque’s eponymous founder, Horacio Pagani, wowed the automotive world with the Zonda C12 at the 1999 Geneva International Motor Show, hypercars from his atelier have no equal when it comes to pairing the apex of both engineering and execution. The result is what we have referred to in past pages of Robb Report as “Fabergé eggs—crafted from noble alloys and bleeding-edge composites—capable of 220 mph (and more).” And while the car on offer has a top speed closer to 214 mph, the rest of that descriptor remains spot on.
Although every Juan Manuel Fangio, who, as recorded by the Automotive Hall of Fame, garnered five Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship titles and a total of 24 grand prix wins during his motorsport career.
The original Zonda F model, which relies on carbon fiber for its chassis and bodywork, is fitted with a 7.3-liter, naturally aspirated Mercedes-AMG 12-cylinder engine delivering 650 hp and 575 ft lbs of torque. Mated to that mill is a six-speed manual gearbox. The power-train configuration allows the Zonda F, with a base dry weight of less than 2,712 pounds, to fire from zero to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds.
At some point after its initial delivery, this particular Pagani was returned for a comprehensive makeover through the marque’s Unico program. As stated on Pagani’s website, “The Unico program was created precisely for all Pagani customers who dream of updating and customizing their hypercar, without any limit: from mechanics to aesthetics, it is possible to replace and update up to the last bolt of the car.” Hence, this one-time Zonda F became the one-off Zonda Riviera.
The metamorphosis included taking the chassis to bare bones, then dressing it with a new aero-enhanced body presented in pearl white. The most notable additions to the exterior are the air intake on the roof, the carbon-fiber dorsal fin, the enlarged rear wing, and a new hood. In addition, the vehicle was given a seven-speed sequential gearbox.
The cockpit was reenvisioned with, according to the RM Sotheby’s lot description, “fine leathers and Alcantara in a unique combination, reflecting the car’s singular ‘Riviera’ identity.” That identity is emphasized with the choice of blue Alcantara inside. And while this may not be the ideal conveyance for long road trips, it does come with customized luggage.
In a 2022 interview with Robb Report, Horacio Pagani, an avid admirer of Leonardo da Vinci, expounded on what drives his vision for Pagani Automobili. “Art and Science” is the company’s motto, a teaching of Leonardo’s combining scientific research and research of beauty,” stated Horacio. “Our mission is therefore to be able to create an object that can tell a story, that can trigger emotions.”
The 2006 Zonda Riviera will surely pull that emotional trigger for all who see it in person when auctioned in Abu Dhabi on December 5. As for the $10.5 million high-end estimate, that’s certainly a compelling part of its story.
Click here for more photos of the 2006 Pagani Zonda Riviera.
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