The Ferrari 3Z Spider would be the first collaboration between Ferrari and Zagato in 20 years. Designed by Giuseppe Mittino and commissioned by Luigi Chinetti, the car started life as a 250 GT California Short Wheelbase (s/n 2491GT). A massive transformation followed, and the result was not only revolutionary, but also quite similar to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 that was unveiled later that year.
1971 surprised everyone with a new chapter in the collaboration between Ferrari and Zagato. More than twenty years after the first Zagato-Ferrari, the two big names appeared together again, on the 3Z built for Luigi Chinetti on 250 SWB chassis #2491 GT.
Designed by Giuseppe Mittino, who had been in charge of projects and design at Zagato since 1970, this 12-cylinder model was decidedly angular and aggressive. It featured several original solutions such as the mobile lids with slits like those on the helmet of an ancient suit of armour, that hid the front light clusters, and the position of the rear lights recessed into the body.
The car reflected Zagato’s philosophy of the moment – styling with clean, strong lines on geometric volumes – which had already been adopted successfully on the Alfa Romeo Junior Z, the first wedge-shaped car of its day.
