Zagato's Orient Express

Now comes the Zagato-designed 575GTZ, crafted for famous Japanese car collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi.

Derived from the 575 Maranello (which, incidentally, is soon to replaced by the new 599GTB), the 575GTZ was conceived to recapture the essence of the classic 1956 250GTZ.

Legendary coachbuilder Zagato has released only this teaser image for now -- the full Monty is scheduled to take place on April 22 at the Villa D'Este Concours D'Elegance in Cemobbio, Italy.

When Zagato received the request from the Japanese Ferraristi to create a retro-inspired bodyshell for his 575M, it informed Ferrari of the project and the manufacturer agreed it would be a good opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 250GTZ.

Hayashi, incidentally, is no stranger to Ferraris as his prancing horse stable includes a 166MM, a 250 Spider California, two Daytonas -- a coupe and a spider -- and, just for good measure, an Enzo.

Like the illustrious 250GTZ, Zagato's latest creation sports two-tone paintwork with styling cues and that unashamedly recapture the 1950s. And, also like its ancestor, the 575GTZ's handcrafted bodywork is all-aluminium.

The 575GTZ retains the Ferrari prancing horse on its bonnet, while its flanks are emblazoned with a Z -- for Zagato -- a badge that symbolises bespoke design.

The coachbuilder claims it's a winning combination that links "the most powerful, famous engineering in the world with the most refined, fascinating sporting style, both made strictly in Italy".

Don't know whether one needs to read too much into this boast, but there's no doubting the exquisite proportions of the swoopy 575GTZ. Retro cars often miss the mark, but this sensuous coupe appears to be a well-resolved amalgam of past and present.

As for how much it cost to create, no one is saying. In any case, Mr Hayashi is clearly not short of a quid...