Zagame opens Autobody Bespoke in Melbourne

Zagame Automotive Group (ZAG) has launched a new division of its Autobody business specialising in the refinement, repair and restoration of high valued vehicles.

ZAG claims Zagame Autobody Bespoke division is the only one of its kind in the APAC region. Located at the auto group’s Tullamarine complex, the new set-up has gained (or is in the process of completing) factory approved repairer status for all of the ten-plus prestige brands the company currently sells.

Bespoke will specialise in the repair of luxury brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce and Bentley. It will also cater for other key brands such as BMW and Tesla as well as specialist vehicles such as Honda’s NSX.

The company is also seeking to create a restoration hub via the new business. Bespoke will offer a range of services up to full ‘barn-find’ restorations. It has already completed its first project – a mid-1980s Porsche 930 Turbo. Job number two is a full restoration of a crashed Dino 246 GTS.

“The sophistication and expertise that exists within Bespoke is, to the autobody world, what Formula 1 is to motorsport,” says Zagame Automotive Group CEO, Michael Winkler.

“It’s the best of the best.”

Zagame Autobody has repaired Audis and other main stream marques at the Tullamarine facility for some time. The new Bespoke facility is standalone.

Around 4000m2 in total, Bespoke features 31 high-tech digital work stations, including the latest in spray booths, chassis alignment jigs and point-to-point computerized measuring. Non-destructive testing technology employed by Autobody Bespoke includes Dolphicam, a camera system which identifies faults in structural carbon-fibre such as the b-pillars in Audi R8s and Lamborghini Huracans.

Winkler says the vision is to make repair and restoration a more positive experience.

“This should not only be a place where owners of rare classic and exotic cars can get work completed. We want to create a customer experience where they can come in and see the whole process.

“Owners of supercars and exotic cars in particular are quite enthusiastic about their vehicles. At various stages [of repair or restoration] a car may be exposed to its underpinnings, giving a rare glimpse of normally hidden engineering. This can add to the customer’s experience,” he told carsales.