Perana Z-One: Rare Zagato-Designed Supercar with Corvette DNA

Fusion Masterpiece - In the world of automotive design, some creations go far beyond mere transportation—they become a statement, a fusion of engineering and artistry. Just like fashion has its haute couture, car design has names like Zagato, whose iconic curves have graced some of the world’s most exotic machines. While most car enthusiasts can rattle off Zagato’s collaborations with brands like Aston Martin or Ferrari, very few remember a bold project that connected the elegance of Milan with the raw spirit of South Africa: the Perana Z-One.

Perana Z-One was born from a collaboration between renowned Milanese coachbuilders Zagato and Perana Performance Group, a South African vehicle manufacturer. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Born from an ambitious partnership between Perana Performance Group and Zagato, the Perana Z-One was a fascinating blend of cultures and automotive philosophies. Perana, based in Pretoria, South Africa, had long been recognized as a Ford tuning workshop since the 1960s. Over the decades, this small but passionate company evolved, dreaming bigger and aiming higher. By the early 2000s, Perana set its sights on creating a car that could stand proudly among international performance giants—not just as a tuner, but as a full-fledged manufacturer.

Underneath the flowing Italian bodywork of the Perana Z-One was an all-American foundation—the Corvette C6 chassis. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

Their big leap came with a call to Italy. Zagato, the revered Milanese coachbuilder with a history of sculpting some of the most stunning bodies in automotive history, accepted the challenge. Known for its work with legendary marques, Zagato brought its sleek lines and avant-garde design language to the table, giving birth to a car that could steal the show from nearly anything else on the road. That show began at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, where the Perana Z-One made its global debut.

Perana Z-One is a unique two-seater sports car featured with an extraordinarily long nose, aggressive wide stance and massive rear  (Picture from: MotorAuthority)

Underneath the flowing Italian bodywork was an all-American foundation—the Corvette C6 chassis. The heart of the project combined Zagato’s styling, Superformance’s performance expertise (formerly Hi-Tech Automotive), and the sturdy backbone of a proven sports car. The result was a visually arresting machine with genuine performance pedigree. It was immediately clear this wasn’t just another concept. It was a car with soul.

The Perana Z-One's interior isn't nearly as extraordinary as its exterior, and its configuration seems frankly dated compared to the fresh ergonomics in today's latest supercars. (Picture from: Autoblog)

But like many ambitious dreams, the path to production wasn’t smooth. Initially envisioned as a limited run of 999 units and sold under $100,000, reality painted a more complex picture. Due to high production costs and logistical hurdles, the car was rebranded as the AC 378 GT Zagato and entered limited production through AC Cars by the end of 2012. Still, the challenges persisted. Fewer than a dozen units were ever completed, and it's widely believed that only around ten cars rolled out of the Hi-Tech Automotive facility near Port Elizabeth.

Most of the Perana Z-One is powered by the Chevy small-block LS3 aluminum V-8, which is capable of spewing the power of 430 hp to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. (Picture from: CorvetteForum)

Among those, an even smaller number—reportedly just seven—made it to the United States. However, these weren’t complete cars in the traditional sense. They were shipped as finished and painted bodies mounted on a steel tube-frame chassis, deliberately lacking engines to navigate U.S. import regulations. Owners were then free to choose their powertrains, with most opting for the tried-and-true Chevy LS3 aluminum V8, capable of delivering 430 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. It was a clever workaround that only added to the car’s unique story.

Perana Z-One is a hand-crafted tube-frame sports car with composite body panels fitted with a very powerful Chevrolet's drivetrain. (Picture from: NetCarShow)

What was once overlooked is now becoming coveted. With only a handful ever built, and even fewer known to be running today, the Perana Z-One has quietly transformed into a collector's gem. Its rarity, combined with the Zagato pedigree, is now driving its value north of $150,000 in the private market. More than just a car, the Z-One is a testament to what happens when passion and design meet across continents, even if the road is winding and production plans falter.

In the ever-evolving world of supercars, where carbon-fiber shells and electric motors now dominate the conversation, the Perana Z-One stands as a rare moment in automotive history. A car born from courage, sculpted in Italy, engineered in South Africa, and powered by America—three worlds, one unforgettable machine.*** [EKA [27072021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | ROADANDTRACK | HAGERTY | MOTORAUTHORITY | WIKIPEDIA ]

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