- The hand-built replica sports several new aluminum body panels and is dubbed the ‘Manta Ray.’
- Like the original Vanquish Zagato, this transformed Malibu has a bright red paint scheme.
- While the car’s unlikely to fool anyone, the efforts made by the owner are still commendable.
The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato models are among the most beautiful cars built in recent memory. Offered in limited numbers as a Coupe, Volante, Speedster, and Shooting Brake, they blend British prestige with Italian design flair in a way that few cars can. They have also spawned a rather bizarre knock-off in the US, based on an old Chevrolet Malibu.
This oddball take on the Vanquish Zagato that looks like something you’d expect to find in the sketchiest corners of Temu, has been prowling the streets of New York for a few years now. We have no idea who owns it now, but clearly, the original owner shared an appreciation for the original’s design, so much so that they had Customs by Flash in New Jersey build them a homemade version.
Yes, the proportions are way off and the replica doesn’t look even 20% as good as the real thing, but the shop clearly put in a lot of effort in totally transforming the old Malibu, even if the outcome will hardly convince anyone that it’s a real Aston.
Read: This Is Your Chance Of Owning An Aston Martin Zagato Collection
A bit of digging online reveals that the car’s custom bodywork was painstakingly crafted by hand. Many of its panels, including the hood, were made from lightweight aluminum, with several pieces curved and shaped in an attempt to mimic Zagato’s signature design. The entire car was then finished in a bright red paint job.
Some of the finer details are actually quite impressive. The flush-mounted custom door handles were carefully assembled, and the headlights bear a strong resemblance to those on a real Vanquish Zagato. The massive front grille and black wheels further enhance the illusion—at least from a distance.
Perhaps the most glamorous area of the original car is the rear. This replica tries to mimic it with a sloping tailgate and circular taillights. The car was originally built with two tailpipes on either side and a relatively simple black diffuser, but recent images show it now has a more complex diffuser and two tailpipes sitting in the center.
Curiously, it doesn’t have any fake Aston Martin or Zagato badges and instead, is rocking Corvette emblems. While that’s a little odd, it’s perhaps fitting as the car is referred to as the ‘Manta Ray.’ If nothing else, it’s a one-of-a-kind tribute to a truly special car, even if the execution is, well, a little unconventional.
