Lancia Thema Zagato Plus

Vehicle Overview

The Lancia Thema Zagato Plus is a unique and fascinating example of Italian automotive design, representing a rare collaboration between some of Italy’s most prestigious names in car design—Giugiaro, Pininfarina, and Zagato. Originally conceived under the guidance of Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Lancia Thema was envisioned as a sophisticated, family-oriented vehicle aimed at broadening Lancia’s market appeal. To enhance the model’s versatility, Lancia commissioned both Pininfarina and Zagato to create a station wagon version of the Thema, resulting in a creative competition between two iconic coachbuilders. Although Pininfarina’s version was ultimately chosen for production, the partnership with Zagato was not without significance. Zagato’s proposal materialized into the Thema Zagato Plus, a single specimen that remains a testament to the inventive spirit of that collaboration. The Zagato Plus retained the core design principles of the Thema but introduced distinctive stylistic innovations that set it apart from its Pininfarina counterpart. One of the most notable design elements was the use of black coloring on the tailgate pillars, a technique that visually lightened the rear of the vehicle and foreshadowed a trend that would be widely adopted in future automotive designs. This stylistic solution added a modern and sleek touch to the Thema Zagato Plus, subtly enhancing its overall aesthetics and contributing to a more dynamic appearance. The blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect, a design cue that became popular in later decades and influenced the visual identity of many contemporary station wagons and SUVs. Today, the Lancia Thema Zagato Plus holds a special place in Corrado Lopresto’s prestigious collection, where it serves as a preserved piece of automotive history. As a unique specimen, it represents a significant chapter in the evolution of Italian car design, highlighting the collaborative spirit that has long defined Italy’s automotive industry. This singular vehicle embodies the convergence of creativity, engineering prowess, and stylistic innovation, encapsulating a moment when automakers and coachbuilders like Lancia, Zagato, and Pininfarina pushed the boundaries of design. The Lancia Thema Zagato Plus stands as more than just a rare car—it is a symbol of the artistic and technical synergy that characterized the golden era of Italian automotive craftsmanship, celebrating the rich heritage and forward-thinking vision of the Italian automotive landscape.