One of the finest moments in Aston Martin's motorsport history has provided inspiration for the company's latest bespoke commission; the ‘DBS 59’.
Commemorating Aston Martin’s 1-2 finish in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its DBR1, Aston Martin will build a limited run of 24 special edition DBS Superleggeras - one for every hour of the endurance race. Called the ‘DBS 59’, each is identified with bespoke design features inside and out that draw directly from the DBR1 race car.
Described by 1959 World Sportscar Championship winner Sir Stirling Moss as ‘the most important Aston Martin ever produced’, the DBR1 has attained iconic status. Just five were built between 1956 and 1959, making it one of the rarest Aston Martins ever, and when one last went to auction it set a new world record as the most valuable British-made car ever with a sale price of $34 million.
Read more: Taking on the alps in the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
The modern DBS 59s are all painted in the same Aston Martin Racing Green as the DBR1 racer, with gloss carbon fibre roof and roof trake matched with Bronze detailing on the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’ bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Fender Badge.
This interior sees a a classic combination of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather used throughout, together with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material used to trim the seat backs and door inserts.
Behind the front seats are leather helmet pods which hold special 'DBS 59' replica 1959 race helmet, period blue race overalls and racing gloves modeled on those worn by 1959 Le Mans-winning driver Caroll Shelby. A bespoke 2-piece luggage set to match interior trim and Aston Martin Racing Green car cover can also be ordered.
Each of the ‘DBS 59s’ will be identifiable by a small painted white roundel adjacent to the side strakes, with each car numbered from 1-24.
Powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 producing 533kW of power and 900Nm of torque, the SuperLeggera is the fastest and most powerful series production model in Aston Martin's range, capable of hitting 339km/h.
Speaking of the ‘DBS 59’, Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule said: “When Aston Martin Cambridge expressed a desire to create a limited run of DBS Superleggeras inspired by the DBR1’s famous Le Mans victory we knew it had to be something special."
"The soft metallic hue of the Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork is classy and timelessly beautiful; the level of thought and detailing is exceptional. My favourite element on the ‘DBS 59’ are the seat backs that feature fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material, but there are countless touches that will intrigue and delight”.
DBS 59s’ 1 through 24 are available to order now from Aston Martin dealerships.
Read more: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera makes global debut in New Zealand
