The Gentleman Magazine Issue 12 | December 2018 | Page 31
Q BY ASTON MARTIN:
‘DBS 59’ MARKS LEGENDARY 1959 LE MANS WIN
Inspired by Aston Martin’s historic 1-2 finish in the 1959
24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1, Aston Martin
Cambridge has commissioned a collection of 24 very special
DBS Superleggeras - one for every hour of the legendary
endurance race. Called the ‘DBS 59’, each is identified by
bespoke design features, hand-crafted interiors and graphic
elements drawing directly from the DBR1 and the race it so
famously conquered.
A marque synonymous with success in the world’s toughest
endurance race - the most recent being a dramatic class win
for the V8 Vantage GTE in last year’s race - Aston Martin’s
outright victory in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans is the stuff of
motorsport legend. Facing stern opposition from works Ferrari
and Porsche entries, plus a team of Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars, the
David Brown Racing Aston Martin DBR1s fought valiantly
to score a famous 1-2 finish in a masterful display of pace,
reliability and teamwork.
Since described by Sir Stirling Moss - who helped Aston
Martin win the 1959 World Sportscar Championship - as ‘the
most important Aston Martin ever produced’, the DBR1 has
deservedly 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 (at Monterey in 2017) it set
a new world record as the most valuable British-made car ever
with a sale price of £17.5m ($22.5m).
Immediately identifiable by its timelessly beautiful Aston
Martin Racing Green paintwork, the DBS 59 features extensive
use of gloss finish Carbon Fibre, most strikingly on the roof,
roof strake and painted bonnet louvres. A classic combination
of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather is used throughout
the interior, together with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat
material used to trim the ‘DBS 59’s’ seat backs and door inserts.
Bronze detailing is strategically deployed around the exterior
and interior, with the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’
bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Q Fender Badge
amongst the items painted.
Additional Q by Aston Martin detailing include bespoke Saddle
Leather Helmet Pods in the rear compartment to hold special
‘DBS 59’ crash helmets, race suits and gloves, and a bespoke
‘DBS 59’ logo embroidered in the seat headrests. 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.
Further accessories include period blue race overalls complete
with Aston Martin and ‘DBS 59’ logos; replica string-backed
racing gloves modeled on those worn by 1959 Le Mans-
winning driver Caroll Shelby; replica 1959 race helmet;
bespoke 2-piece luggage set to match interior trim; bespoke
car cover in Aston Martin Racing Green and featuring white
roundels with specific edition number.
The DBR1’s proud genetic legacy is very much evident in
the 2018 DBS Superleggera. The fastest and most powerful
series production model in Aston Martin’s multi-award
winning range, this 211mph, 715bhp Super GT is an inspired
combination of imperious performance and impeccable
style. Having received the attention of Q by Aston Martin:
Commission it is a truly covetable car; one aimed at those who
appreciate the lasting significance of DBR1’s historic victory
and world-beating contemporary performance and handling
of the DBS Superleggera.
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”.
The ‘DBS 59’ limited edition is the fourth Q by Aston Martin:
Commission from Aston Martin Cambridge, following on
from the success of last year's Red Arrows Edition Vanquish
S, and the earlier success of V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition,
marking 80 years of the Supermarine Spitfire's first flight, and
the Vantage S Blades Edition, developed in collaboration with
the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
‘DBS 59s’ 1 through 24 are available to order now from Aston
Martin Cambridge. To place your order please contact Simon
Lane at [email protected]
The Gentleman Magazine | 31