Not everyone can design a successful supercar. That should go without saying, but just take a look at all of the companies that thought they had what it takes and yet folded before their fledgling models could gain a foothold. We may remember some of their designs, but many of us have forgotten the names: Ascari, Caparo, Devin, Marussia. . . All of those companies and more came and went while the Pagani Zonda was in production.
The Zonda made its debut in 1999 as Pagani’s first production model. The V12-powered, mid-engine supercar was stunning from its inception. Its subsequent updates to styling and performance only enhanced the core design. While its successor, the Huayra, was introduced with turbocharged V12 power in 2011, Pagani’s original model soldiered on, with owners often commissioning rebuilds to further customise their prized possessions. The latest of these builds was just announced in August 2024.
That kind of longevity is rare in a supercar, and its success can be chalked up to the high level of customisation Pagani provides as well as its quality construction, impressive performance, and beautiful design. All of those attributes led to this 2014 Zonda 760 LM roadster claiming the record for the sale of a Pagani at public auction when it transacted for £8,733,492 including fees at RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi sale.
Even within Pagani’s stable of highly customised, low-production supercars, this 760 LM roadster is rare. Just two of these Le Mans–inspired Zondas were built, the other being a coupé. That makes this roadster a one-of-one. Its build was commissioned by the original buyer, who wanted to see some Le Mans sport prototype DNA in a road car. Pagani developed 60 unique components for the LM cars, including the bonnet. Moulds of those unique pieces are still housed in Pagani’s workshop in case replacement parts are needed. Those bespoke parts and panels aren’t just there to stand out from the supercar crowd – they also had to deliver improved performance. The six-month development of the two cars included an aerodynamic study and testing on both road and track. This special roadster is powered by the 750bhp 7.3-litre AMG V12 from the Zonda’s 760 series and is paired with a seven-speed sequential transmission. At the time of the sale, the powertrain had just 9604 kilometres showing on the odometer, with factory maintenance records to back it up.
The previous auction record for a Pagani was the 2019 sale of a 2017 Zonda Aether. Another one-off 760-series roadster, the Aether was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and brought £5.3 million also in Abu Dhabi. We asked our valuation specialists to see whether this latest price was a standout, or part of a broader trend. John Wiley, director of valuation analytics in the US, told us the sale was “not a big surprise for a Zonda based on private market activity.”
Pagani’s willingness to invest significant time and effort in creating one-off models of already exquisite supercars seems to be paying off for the brand and its customers, with high-profile sales like this only adding to the prestige. Don’t expect this Zonda auction record to last.
