This is the ‘Grigio Montecarlo’ 2003 Pagani Zonda S (76015). This Zonda example was originally built in right-hand drive configuration, and has been seen wrapped in black and orange previously. Early on in his career, Argentine-Italian businessman and engineer, Horacio Pagani was serving as the manager of the composites department at Lamborghini. In the year 1988, Pagani founded a new company known as ‘Pagani Composite Research’, which was heavily involved in numerous Lamborghini design projects. Eventually, Pagani set out to create his very own vehicle, the ‘C8 Project’, which was originally set to be named the ‘Fangio F1’, in honor of Pagani’s friend, the Argentinian five-time Formula One champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. By the year 1991, Pagani established another company known as ‘Modena Design’, and in 1992, construction of the ‘Fangio F1’ prototype began under his newly founded company, Pagani Automobili. By 1994, Mercedes-Benz agreed to become the supplier of V12 engines for Pagani to use, and finally, at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, Pagani’s first ever model debuted as the ‘Zonda C12’. Since then, Pagani has gone on to produce a multitude of different variants of the Zonda as well as later revealing a successor model to the Zonda known as the Huayra, during the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, also built in numerous different variations. The Utopia (codename C10) is officially Pagani’s latest and third model, after the Zonda and the Huayra. The Zonda S model is equipped with a 7010cc Mercedes-Benz M120 V12, and each of the 16 S variant cars were originally equipped with Pagani’s own six-speed manual gearbox from the factory. Other changes on the S in comparison to previous models included an updated aero kit, new badging on the interior, and more. Production of the S variant began soon after the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, and Pagani would subsequently introduce the 7.3 S at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show.
How many made? 9 of 16
Engine: 7.0L Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 - 542hp
Debut: 2000 Geneva Motor Show
Top Speed: ~210mph
0-60: about 3.7 seconds
Photo credit: @tim_carspotter
Research: @rarecarsonly, @_supercar.central_