2007 Ascari KZ1 (1 of 5 Production cars in the world)

• Carbon fibre tub and body, 500bhp 5-litre BMW V8 (S62) dry-sumped and mid-mounted, CIMA six-speed manual box, double wishbone suspension, AP Racing brakes with ant-lock and weighs 1300kg
• 0-60 in 3.7 secs, 0-100mph in 8 seconds and 200mph+
• In a private collection, one owner and 334 miles from new
• UK registered and currently on SORN
• Finished in Dark Green Metallic. Fabulous bespoke interior in Sage and Cream leather
• Lot location: Ronda, Malaga, Spain. Sold in absentia, lot is available to view in Spain and the buyer will need to collect from there

Ascari Cars Ltd. was founded in Dorset in 1995 and introduced its first car, the FGT, in the same year. The company took its name from Italian racing driver Alberto Ascari, who was the first double Formula One world champion. Following the announcement of the FGT, the company was purchased by Klaas Zwart, a Dutch entrepreneur and racing driver. Zwart took the FGT into competition, and the company would go on to produce a road version, the Ecosse, which was unveiled in 1999. In 2000 the company was relocated to Banbury where a brand-new 45,000 square-foot facility had been constructed (now Haas F1) to enable Ascari to begin work on developing its next car, the KZ1 (named after Zwart’s initials). The journey to actually achieving production was lengthy and awkward, as it took until 2005 for the final product to be put on sale making its debut at the 2005 Autosport International show.

The KZ1 featured a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout and was built with a carbon fibre chassis and body. This extensive use of carbon fibre greatly contributed to it weighing in at only 1330kg, which was significantly less than some of its contemporary rivals. The engine was a naturally-aspirated, 4.9-litre BMW V8 (S62) lifted from the E39 M5 and this was further developed to provide a substantial increase in power to 500bhp compared to the 400bhp of the variant in the M5. The official numbers were 0-60 in 3.7seconds, 0-100mph in 8.0 seconds and 200mph +.

With a team of 30 highly skilled craftsmen and in excess of 1,000 man-hours per car, it’s not surprising that each KZ1 cost £400,000 to build which is not great when you consider that the advertised selling price was £235,000 making it the second most expensive British car at the time. Only five cars ever made it to being road registered.

Silverstone Auctions are proud to offer the only delivery-mileage KZ1 in the world and the last one ever built. This car has never been offered for sale previously having formed part of a private collection in sunny Spain. Built at Banbury, this KZ1 was the last of the five produced and has covered just 334 miles from new. It’s right-hand drive, UK registered and is currently on SORN. (potential UK buyers will need to make enquiries about any VAT liabilities).

​​​​​The Ascari KZ1 was regarded by all as well-engineered and hugely competent. It was quick with a super six-speed gearbox, handled predictably and offered immense amounts of grip. Contrary to what you might expect from a low volume maker, the interior was absolutely superb and totally bespoke, no ‘parts-bin’ switches here. This is a very good looking car, particularly finished in the Dark Metallic Green that we have here.

A signed letter from Klaas Zwart will accompany the car confirming its status as one of five production cars ever built.

Offered in absentia, the Ascari is currently in Malaga and is available to view by appointment in Ronda, Malaga, Spain. We appreciate that travel to Spain is currently difficult but this is a virtually new supercar that could well turn out to be a sensible investment, and you won’t see another one!

Clive Greenhalgh is Managing Director of an International Racing Circuit and has owned many supercars in his time. He owns one of the five KZ1s (not for sale) and is happy to offer an unbiased opinion of the car's capabilities to any prospective bidder. Please feel free to contact him on 0034660329070.

A second video of the car is available to view here: https://youtu.be/Vnz2FBhu50M