After two years with a lack of creativity and also struggling with motivation, we decided to go back to our roots and drive motivation from the very first sparkle of Inspiration that we had when we begin this project.
And what better way to go back to our roots, other than traveling to the past, and taking a closer look to what was the beginning of a project that inspired us to start our own. That is why in this article, we’re going to be exploring the not so humble, beginnings of Pagani. Dedicating This Words to Horacio and his First Creation, The Pagani, Zonda C12.
The New Kid in the Block
The year was 1999, the Geneva Motor Show was right around the corner and the word was already spreading, an Argentinian designer and dreamer who happened to be a very good friend of the legend Juan Manuel Fangio was about to introduce his very first car under his name.
Press, critics and enthusiasts were excited for the rumor, Zonda was the name, and as it happened back in the day with Lamborghini, it was expected to be a new competitor for the big ones, but, little did they know; The Zonda was something way bigger than they expected. A mid engine exotic car featuring an impressive Mercedes Benz V12 was about to make history.
The day arrived, and yes, everyone was amazed, an artistic form of design, like never seen before; paired perfectly with the most advanced technology in the industry. Basically Horacio unveiled not only a proper rival for the big names, but something revolutionary, capable of playing a game of his own.
Not Years, But Months
Few months after The Geneva Motor Show, Pagani was already a well established brand, yes, months after. The Zonda was so meticulously designed, with attention to detail like no other that the car even exceeded Horacio’s own expectations. But this dedication was already a remarkable characteristic of Horacio, even to this day his brand stands out for it.
Attention and of course Clients were arriving day by day, making The Zonda one of the most sought after cars in the year 2000, and Horacio was right in the spotlight. Even the experts were stunned with comments like «The Zonda C12 S is so beautiful you may think it’s not real.».
It was clear, Horacio Pagani made history with his very first car, and this was just the beginning.
A Legacy in the Making
– The Zonda laid the foundation for everything: it redefined the concept of “Hypercar” and became a timeless symbol of innovation.-
Not even Horacio was capable of imagining what he has just started, the beginning of a lifetime journey, The Zonda was so perfectly crafted that people started wondering what could possibly come next? The sky was the limit…Talking about a first impression huh?
Not much after, the Zonda already secured its place in the – ultra high performance cars – list, it was essentially the overall perfect car; raw power but with drivability and advanced technology with perfect craftsmanship.
«The Zonda has the noise, the involvement, the presence, the brutal speed. For now, all it misses is the background and the recognition enjoyed by its supercar peers.»
(Peter Grunert, The Big Test, “Top Gear Magazine”, 111, December 2002, UK)
What Now?
Shortly after the Zonda gained popularity, other variants were introduced, such as the Zonda 7.3 Roadster, which of course was an other revolution in terms of design and advanced technology.
It was clear that Pagani was already an established brand, Horacio’s car gained several Car of the Year awards and was praised by experts, enthusiasts and the press, it was clear the legacy was about to grow. And oh it did, it did.
In the words of Le Divine, “Auto Digest”: «The Zonda 7.3 Roadster, the latest thrilling creation from an atelier where hands, not computers, shape dreams—where artisans, not mechanical robots, craft perfection—is a jewel of automotive engineering.»
Little did we know, that statement created the values behind one of the most inspirational and beautiful luxury brands in the world. That not only managed to amaze an entire industry back in 99′, but in a humble declaration, it managed to inspire me to start a lifetime project of my own, with the same attention to detail, with passion and a soul behind every word, every effort and every step.
Thank you Horacio, Thank you Pagani for opening the eyes of a young 22 year old back in the day with a simple but yet, an unstoppable message of achievable dreams.
Discover our own roots related to Pagani and what the brand means for me, with our words on The Pagani Utopia.
Written by Founder & Head Editor: Anton Fernandez