Memory machine. ‘DBS 59’ Marks Aston’s finest 24 hours. Words Richard Meaden. Photography AML/Aston Martin Cambridge.
We don’t usually get terribly excited by the announcement of a new ‘special edition’, but when one combines Aston Martin’s single finest sporting achievement with the newest and most impressive car in the range, it’s hard not to be enthused.
Announced in advance of the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s historic – and so far only – outright win at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the DBS 59 is the latest in a line of limited-run cars commissioned from Q by Aston Martin by the dealership Aston Martin Cambridge.
Based on the 715bhp, 211mph DBS Superleggera, just 24 of the cars will be made. All will be finished in the same gorgeous shade of Aston Martin Racing Green and feature a beautifully executed suite of details that evoke the DBR1 racer that Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori drove to victory.
Highlights include a hand-crafted black and tan leather-upholstered interior, which incorporates authentic DBR1 seat material for the seatbacks and door inserts. The headlining features artwork depicting the victorious DBR1 by motorsport artist Martin Tomlinson.
The identity of each DBS 59 will be denoted by a small white roundel containing the car’s own number, from 1-24, positioned adjacent to the side strakes. Bronze detailing is strategically deployed around the exterior and interior, with the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’ bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Q wing badge among the items picked out in bronze.
Only available through Aston Martin Cambridge and priced at £325,000, all 24 DBS 59s will be handed over to their owners at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June next year. With Aston Martin Racing’s new Vantage GTE racer now showing winning pace in the World Endurance Championship, it could be quite a party.
