REAR OF THE YEAR

Zagato's latest collaboration with Alfa Romeo has resulted in the 8C DoppiaCoda - a car with twin inspirations for its radical tail, and which stunned onlookers at Villa d'Este.

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Few traditions in the car world are stronger than the relationship between Alfa Romeo and Zagato. From the 1920s on, some of the most beautiful (and, in racing, most successful) Alfa Romeos were bodied by the Milanese coachbuilder. Following Zagato's creations for the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 from 1927, including the Turismo, Sport and Granturismo bodies, the relationship flourished to such an extent that a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C print advert was worded as 'The Spider that, with the trio Alfa Romeo, Scuderia Ferrari and Carrozzeria Zagato, brought countless victories in the homeland and abroad for the honour of Italy.

Carrozzeria Zagato was founded by Ugo Zagato in 1919, and aimed to capitalise on his expertise in metallurgy and manufacturing aeroplanes - developed during World War One while working at Officine Aeronautiche Pomilio - by bringing it to the automobile world. When he opened for business, he declared his official activity to be the manufacture and repair of cars and aeroplane bodies.