Aston Martin: Past Is Prologue

Aston Martin cars finished 1-2 in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans (with, interestingly enough, Caroll Shelby being one of the two drivers in the winning car), something that the company is celebrating 60 years later with the DBS 59, a variation of the DBS Superleggera. Notably, the company is producing just 24 of the cars.

The Aston Martin DBS 59: One of 24.

(Images: Aston Martin)

From a design point of view, the car, which is painted Aston Martin Racing Green, has a variety of bronze accents, including the bade on the hood, front grille, brake calipers, and 21-inch forged Y-spoke satin duotone wheels. The body color is predicted on the exterior color of the winning cars and the bronze comes from the bronze-colored switches and dials that were on those 1959 vehicles. There is also a bronze foil inlay on the aeroblade of the DBS 59.

The roof is a gloss carbon fiber that contrasts with the green of the body. The body panels are carbon fiber and the chassis is a bonded aluminum structure.

On the inside of the car, the bronze continues to flow, being used for the shift paddles and for the logo embroidery on the seat backs.

Fabrics used in the DBS 59 are based on the design of those in the ’59 Le Mans winners.

The vehicle was commissioned by “Q by Aston Martin,” the part of the company that provides personalization and specialization for customers.

Know that the DBS Superleggera or the non-specialized sort starts at about $305,000 so the DBS 59 is undoubtedly quite special.

The 24 vehicles are being produced at Aston Martin’s factory in Gaydon, U.K.