Vehicle Description
Chassis No. SCFAE62313K800073
DB AR1 Car No. 073/099
The DB7 is regarded as the car that brought Aston Martin back from
its late 1980s financial struggles and into the 21st century,
sporting a sleek new design language that would carry forward to
future Astons and Jaguars. At the end of its production cycle,
Aston commemorated the DB7's legacy with a special model from the
legendary coachbuilder Carrozzeria Zagato. The close design
collaboration between Henrik Fisker and Andrea Zagato yielded a
pair of special edition models that evoked the styling of past
Italian-drawn Astons like the DB4 GT Zagato. The first to arrive
was the DB7 Zagato, a limited-edition hard-top variant built on a
shortened DB7 chassis. Unfortunately, the coupe was not designed to
meet U.S. homologation standards yet, but the best was yet to
come.
Instead, Americans were treated to the DB American Roadster 1
(AR1), a fully roofless roadster that sat on the full-size DB7
Volante chassis. It featured the same enhanced front grille as the
DB7 Zagato and the signature Zagato "double bubble" roof was
simulated via cowls that flared up behind each headrest and flowed
elegantly down the rear decklid. Power came from a 6.0-liter V12
producing 435 horsepower, and buyers could opt for a five-speed
automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Just 99 DB AR1s were
produced, mirroring the production numbers of the DB7 Zagato, and
all allocations were quickly spoken for after its unveiling at the
2003 LA Auto Show. While the DB AR1 was aimed at American buyers,
10 of the 99 production cars were delivered to Europe and the
United Kingdom.
This example is the 73rd of 99 DB AR1s built and is fitted with the
Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission, which came uprated with a
short-shift lever. It is finished in the custom shade of Designo
Silver borrowed from Mercedes-Benz. The Aston's bespoke touches
continue inside with a Forest Green Bridge of Weir hand-stitched
leather interior. The livery is distinctly bespoke and wholly Aston
Martin in equal measure. The sale includes the owner's manual, DB
AR1 umbrella, and DB AR1-branded car cover and seat covers. This
example was delivered new to Florida and remained in the state for
the majority of its life. The car is offered with a clean CARFAX
Vehicle History Report and remains in exceptional condition with
4,720 miles at the time of cataloging.
Combining the pinnacle of turn-of-the-century British engineering
with top-drawer Italian design flair, this 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1
delivers on Aston Martin's promise of bespoke luxury performance to
those cruising down the sun-kissed American roadways.
