The Corvette-based Perana Z One sports car was first shown at the 79th Geneva Motor Show three years ago as the first fruit of an ambitious plan to revive the South African tuning name as a full brand and its distinctively trademark Zagato design was widely acclaimed at the time.

Plans to build the Perana Z One in South Africa through a company that is a leading global producer of low-volumes projects (such as the British Noble sports cars) petered out, although from the images released by Zagato several examples have been built or part-built, with the designer saying in its press release that 'about' 10 pre-production examples have been actually built.

Instead the Perana becomes an AC as the 111-year old brand revives its Anglo-Italian links with the arrival of the renamed AC 378 GT Zagato. The AC 378 GT Zagato, is also the latest in a long line of collaborations with the very best British car manufacturers during the Milanese Atelier's 93 years history. These include, not only AC, but also Aston Martin, Bentley, Bristol, Jaguar, MG, Rolls-Royce and Rover.

AC and Zagato first cooperated in 1957, creating the AC Ace Bristol Zagato one-off, a pure racing GT Berlinetta today considered an instant classic in the AC model portfolio. It was designed with the typical Zagato double-bubble roof and equipped with a 2 litre inline-6 engine. This sought after car will be back at Pebble Beach 2012 for a special event featuring AC Cars. The AC 378 GT Zagato and the AC Ace Bristol Zagato will be there to celebrate this historic association.

After two years of testing as part of the Perana project, 'about' ten pre-production units have been completed at the factory in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where the AC 378 Zagato's manufacturing will take place. The cockpit's layout is entirely defined by perfectly matching the body's smooth lines, according to the typical Zagato's minimal design cues.

Throughout 2011 the car has undergone heavy track testing in order to optimize handling and performance and maximise the vehicle's response thanks to a very favourable power-to-weight ratio.

While first deliveries are foreseen starting from mid 2012, AC and Zagato aren't simply pushing the assets of the Perana project and Zagato says that it is already conceiving a new roadster concept that will follow the tradition of the instant classic roadster. That means, adds Zagato, a design that is not simply derived from the coupe version but is more in line with the heritage of the classic Cobra annd it is expected to be very different from the AC 378 GT Zagato Coupé.