Aston Martin DB AR1
Even by Aston Martin’s low-volume standards the DB AR1 is a rarity. The ‘AR’ stands for American Roadster, and as that implies it was intended for warmer climes across the pond – and not just the USA in general, but specifically the ‘Sunshine States’. It’s a genuine roadster without any kind of weather protection – hence the lack of a ‘Volante’ label – and that makes it even scarcer on this side of the Atlantic. ‘It was built specifically for the American market and a collaboration with the Zagato styling house,’ explains Tiffany Kruse.
After Andrea Zagato and Aston CEO Ulrich Bez met at the Pebble Beach concours in 2001 the two companies collaborated on a fixed-head, two-seat DB7 Zagato. Penned by Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada, the coupé launched in 2002. The roadster was announced at the Los Angeles motor show in January 2003, adding extra cooling under the main front grille. It also replaced the coupé’s fastback tail with a rear deck, which was given Zagato’s signature ‘double bubble’ treatment that had been a notable feature on the coupé’s roof.
While the fixed-head car sits on a shortened DB7 chassis, the AR1 retains the full-length platform. Mechanicals are shared with the DB7 V12, which means there’s a 5.9-litre, quad-cam V12 up front and rear-wheel drive. Most have five-speed automatic transmission and the DB7’s 420bhp engine. ‘If you’re lucky, you just might find one with the rare six-speed manual transmission, which boasts not only 15 extra horsepower but also 0-60 in five seconds and an unrestricted 184mph top speed,’ says Kruse.
‘While everyone is else is spending their money on Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens, why not be a bit more individual and invest yours in Aston Martin?’ she asks. ‘The marque has been the standard for luxury meets performance for the past 110 years in the United Kingdom and beyond, with very few vehicles having reached the iconic status of its DB series. After all, DB is the car 007, James Bond drives.’
The dramatic shape is a key attraction, Kruse says, ‘Aston is known for impeccable styling much like its British counterpart, Jaguar, and the DB AR1 is nothing less than stunning.’
Aston Martin built just 99 customer cars, plus one more for its own use, the majority of them ending up Stateside as planned. ‘But not all the DB AR1s made it across the pond,’ says Kruse. ‘There are a few left-hand-drive versions motoring around Europe. The extremely low production means the price will stay up and drive higher over the coming years.’
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