To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 24 October
2019.
Estimate:
£180,000 - £240,000
- Just 250 miles from new
- Number 088 of only 99 examples built
- Stunning Zagato-bodied Aston Martin
- Offered with original tools, car cover, and Aston Martin
umbrella
Looking to reinvigorate sales and interest in the Aston Martin
brand, Ford teamed up with the legendary Italian coachbuilder
Zagato. In 2002 they endeavoured to create a limited-production
grand touring car in the spirit of the DB4 GT Zagato of the 1960s
and the V8 Vantage Zagato of the 1980s.
In designing a car more alluring than the current model DB7,
already considered to be one of the most attractive of its era,
Zagato certainly had their work cut out for them. However, the
Italian design house did not disappoint, and the resulting cars,
the DB7 Zagato and DB AR1, are considered by many to be two of the
most attractive Aston Martins ever produced. Although the DB7
Zagato coupes were only available in the European and Asian
markets, the roadster was produced especially for the American
market, hence the 'American Roadster 1' designation.
First shown at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show, the DB AR1 was an
exciting roadster that remained true to the design of its closed
sibling, albeit fully open. It was instantly regarded as one of the
best designs that either Aston Martin or Zagato had produced and
quickly became one of the most desirable Aston Martins of modern
times. It offered time-honoured Zagato design cues with a modern
flair combined with exceptional performance. The DB AR1 accelerates
from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and offers a top speed of 186
mph, figures only slightly bettered by the legendary Vanquish.
Fitted with the more powerful 'GT' version of the 6.0-litre
Vanquish V12, as noted by the 'AM2A' engine prefix, the DB AR1 is
capable of delivering an impressive 435 bhp. The active sports
exhaust system with rear muffler bypass valves provides the DB AR1
with a very distinctive and thoroughly exciting exhaust note
befitting such an automobile. The DB AR1 is also fitted with the
DB7 GT quick-shift gear lever and special multi-spoke 19 in. alloy
wheels with low-profile tyres for excellent road-holding
performance. Braking is supplied by Brembo discs and a V12 Vanquish
brake booster unit for a firmer and more consistent pedal feel.
Presented in the rarely seen colour combination of Silver over Red
leather with black carbon-fibre fascia, number 088 is one of just
99 of these limited-edition roadsters ever produced. A highly
desirable variant of Aston Martin's iconic DB7, and a beautiful
representative of that lasting partnership between the British
marque and Italian design house, this DB AR1 will delight its next
lucky custodian.To view this car and others currently consigned to
this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.