ASTON MARTIN DB AMERICAN ROADSTER 1 CONCEPT

Aston Martin will showcase a lightweight concept Roadster at the Los Angeles Motor Show that has been designed specifically to appeal to its US customers.

The DB American Roadster 1 (DB AR1) is derived from the DB7—the most successful Aston Martin of all time. It is based on the current DB7 Vantage Volante (convertible) and boasts a revised body style with coachwork by Zagato of Italy and incorporates a number of dynamic elements, which have been finely engineered to offer a new dimension to the Aston Martin driving experience.

Available only as a two-seater, the DB AR1 is not a convertible Zagato version of the Coupe—launched in the summer of 2002—but a possible addition to Aston Martin's exclusive product range.

Aston Martin will privately show the DB AR1 to customers at an event in LA to gauge their reaction, and if the response is positive the car will go into production in very limited numbers during 2003. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but it is anticipated that DB AR1 will cost around $230,000 US (plus or minus 10%).

'Aston Martin is unique in its ability to react quickly to its customer's requirements and produce limited edition sports cars,' explained Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. The DB7 Zagato was a huge success for Aston Martin, with all 99 cars sold very quickly. It's very clear; our customers want choice and individuality. 'However, the DB AR1 is a concept car that we want to show to our US customers to see if they like it. It has been designed with the Californian weather in mind and is a Roadster in the proper tradition with no hood and space for just two people. If there is sufficient interest we will consider putting it into production in 2003.'

The DB AR1 has a large distinctive radiator grille and accentuating rear wheel arches, which are also new, whilst the carefully detailed features such as the reverse/fog light combination provide graphic evidence of intricate hand craftsmanship and quality that has become an Aston Martin trademark.

Aston Martin has yet to conduct performance testing however, it is expected that recent developments of Aston Martin's low emission, all alloy, 6.0-litre V12 engine, means that DB AR1 will benefit from a performance increase, and offer 435bhp—compared with 420bhp of the DB7 Vantage.

This increased power, together with a revised final drive ratio and active sports exhaust system, will provide not only noticeable improvement in mid-range power, but also additional torque —up from 400 lb/ft (DB7 Vantage) to 410 lb/ft, providing a sharper accelerating drive.

An AP twin-plate racing clutch, which replaces the single plate clutch found on the DB7 Vantage, combined with the revised quick-shift gear lever—also fitted to the DB7 GT—will enable the driver to maximize use of the power increase and torque and enjoy a faster gear change.

Aside from a revised body design, the DB AR1 has special multispoke 19' alloy wheels—with revised offset to give a wider track (8x19' front, 9½x19' rear)—equipped with SO2 245/35 ZR19 front and 265/30 rear, low profile Yokohoma tires.

The active sports exhaust system with rear muffler by-pass valves—as used on the V12 Vanquish—provide the DB AR1 with a very distinctive exhaust note.

A combination of racing-style grooved 355mm (front) and 330mm (rear) Brembo disc brakes and uprated Pagid RS 42-1 front pads provide the DB AR1 with better-sustained performance, with improved resistance to judder and fade, particularly at high speed. An uprated brake booster unit—as used on the V12 Vanquish—assists in providing the driver with progressive braking and a firmer and more consistent pedal feel.

'Production of DB AR1 is dependent upon clients' interest,' explained Dr. Ulrich Bez. 'If the reaction is as positive as that for the DB7 Zagato, we will produce a limited number of DB AR1 models solely for the US market.'

by Aston Martin

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62353K800089
Engine number: SCFAE62353K800089

Aston Martin and Zagato introduced a limited series of cars at the Geneva International Motor Show built atop the DB7. It was dubbed the DB7 Zagato, and it carried a host of characteristic Zagato design cues, including a shortened tail, long hood and pronounced rear-wheel arches. Only 99 examples of the aluminum-bodied Aston were produced, all intended for the European market.

It was not long before American customers were demanding a model available for the US. The company responded with the DB American Roadster 1, which made it debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in January 2003. The car shared its platform with the DB7 Vantage Volante and thus had a longer wheelbase than the DB7 Zagato. It was closed in a steel body and given aluminum panels. At all four corners were Brembo discs, an AP twin-plate racing clutch, and an active sports exhaust system with rear muffler bypass valves that enhanced the V-12's throaty rasp.

Within a short period of time, all 99 examples had been sold.

This example, the 88th example produced, has been driven just 252 miles and is a one-owner vehicle. It retains all of its original premium accouterments, including protective seat covers, a cockpit dust-cover tonneau, and two umbrella-style soft tops. It is finished of Tungsten Silver paint and a two-tone interior of charcoal and Claret Red leather.

In 2010, this DB AR1 Roadster was brought to Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction, where it was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $210,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for $170,500, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62343K800018

This Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato Roadster is powered by a four-cam, 48 valve 6.0-liter V12 engine offering 435 horsepower. There is an AP twin-plate racing clutch, a six-speed manual transmission and four-wheel Brembo disc brakes. Inside is an Eclipse Red and Magnolia interior that is hand-stitched. There are electronically controlled seats trimmed in piped Bridge of Weir leather. The odometer reads just 376 miles.

In 2010, this DB AR1 was offered for sale at RM Auctions 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' sale in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $125,000-$175,000. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $148,500, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 001

The 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 (American Roadster1) was created by famed Italian coach builder Zagato to celebrate the most successful Aston Martin Ever, the DB7. Only 99 examples of this magnificent automobile were produced. Chassis #001, no doubt the most collectible of all 99, is painted in Aston Martin green number 1959, the same color of the original DBR1 that Carroll Shelby drove to his 1959 Le Mans victory.

by Barrett-Jackson

by Aston Martin

Roadster
Chassis number: 052

This 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 Blackhawk Collection Exhibit held at the Pebble Beach Concours. It carried a price tag of $225,000.

The DB American Roadster 1 (DB AR1) is derived from the DB7 - the most successful Aston Martin of all time. It is based on the current DB7 Vantage Volante (convertible) and boasts a revised body style with coachwork by Zagato and incorporates a number of dynamic elements, which have been finely engineered to offer a new dimension to the Aston Martin driving experience. The DB AR1 has a large distinctive radiator grille and accentuating rear wheel arches, which are also new, whilst the carefully detailed features such as the reverse/fog light combination provide graphic evidence of intricate hand craftsmanship and quality that has become and Aston Martin trademark.

This car is powered by a 6-liter all-alloy V12 engine capable of producing 435 horsepower.

by Blackhawk Collection

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62313K800073

The DB AR1 Zagato Roadster was first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2003, and production was limited to just 99 examples. All units were designed for sale in the United States. They had all-aluminum coachwork with sweeping lines and a pair of speedster-style fairings on the rear deck. Other unique features include a large radiator grille reminiscent of the DB4 GT Zagato. They rode on multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels and low-profile Yokohama performance tires.

The DB AR1 Zagato Roadster has room for two passengers and no top. This example is the 73rd of 99 examples built. It is painted in Mercedes Designo Silver and powered by a four-cam, 48-valve, 6.0-liter V12 engine offering 430 horsepower. There is an AP twin-plate racing clutch, a six-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel Brembo disc brakes.

The interior features hand-stitched, electronically-controlled seats trimmed in Forest Green Bridge of Weir leather. It has its original manuals, a pair of umbrellas, a tonneau cover, both sets of keys, and a factory cover in its original bag. The odometer shows just 3,600 miles from new.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE623X3K800038
Engine number: 00433

This Aston Martin DBAR1 was purchased as an untitled car with just delivery mileage by Bob Pond in 2005. Currently, the odometer shows just over 600 miles. It is finished in Roadster Green with a Fawn interior (the same color as the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show Car). This roadster is the 38th example of the 99 produced.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62303K800002
Engine number: 00388

The 1990s were a difficult period of time for Aston Marin, as the once profitable and storied British marque was only selling a few dozen automobiles per year and was struggling to compete with its rivals on any level. In 1994, the company was acquired by Ford and a new factory in Bloxham was built to produce an all-new model, the DB7. By 1995, Aston Marin had returned to prosperity, building a record 700 vehicles. By 2002, the 6,000th DB7 roll of the assembly line at Bloxham, eclipsing total production for all previous DB models combined.

At the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show, Aston Martin introduced the DB AR1. The 'American Roadster' had the same 48-valve 6.0-liter V-12 as its closed sibling. With 435 brake horsepower, the DB AR1 had a top speed of 185 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds.

This particular DB AR1 is the second example built of just ninety-nine produced in total. It has also enjoyed single ownership and less than 800 miles from new. The car is finished in the Aston Martin color that was also seen on Carroll Shelby's 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning DB R1. The interior is mint green.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62333K800012
Engine number: 00409

The DB AR1, first shown at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show, was a fully open roadster that could accelerate from zero-to-sixty mph in just 4.9 seconds. The top speed was achieved at 186 mph. Power was from the 6.0-liter Vanquish V12 engine delivering 435 horsepower.

This particular example is the 12th of 99 Zagato roadsters built. There are 1,958 miles on its odometer and it has had two owners from new. It is finished in Aston Martin Racing Green with Light Tan leather interior with Dark Tan piping and Brown carpeting edged in matching Light Tan. It has the original owner's manuals, set of two umbrellas, and numbered car cover.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62383K800037

The hand-built Aston Martin DB AR1 styled by Italian coachbuilder Zagato was the result of a collaboration between Andrea Zagato and Aston Martin's chief designer Henrik Fisker. They were built in England and made their debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show and subsequent gallery showing in New York City. Production was limited to 99 cars. Design features included the special Zagato-designed five-spoke alloy wheels, low-profile tires, an aggressive stance, and diamond-tucked leather interior.

Dubbed the DB AR1, or American Roadster 1, they were powered by a tuned version of the six-liter V-12 engine offering 435 horsepower, an increase of 15 horsepower over the Vantage. They were given a revised final drive ratio, an active sport exhaust, and an AP twin-plate racing clutch. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 4.9 seconds.

Multi-piston Brembo disc brakes using Pagid RS front pads provided the stopping power, and they reduced shudder and fade at high speeds.

This particular example is number 37 of 99. It is finished in Tungsten Silver over Light Tan leather and has been driven less than 1,000 miles since new.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE623X3K800072

Aston Martin teamed up with Zagato in 2002 to create a limited-production, coachbuilt grand touring car. It was a design collaboration between Aston Martin's then-chief designer Henrik Fisker and Andrea Zagato. As such, it used design cues from both companies.

The Aston Martin DB AR1 was first shown at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show. It was a fully open roadster that was based off the DB7 Vantage Volante. They came equipped with a six-speed manual transmission fitted with an uprated 'GT' version of the 6.0-liter V-12 engine, offering 435 horsepower and giving the car a zero-to-sixty mph time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 189 mph.

This particular example is the 72nd of 99 examples built. It was originally ordered by an Aston Martin enthusiast in Colorado before being sold to a resident of Florida in 2011. It currently has 792 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62303K800016
Engine number: 00443

This Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato is finished in Tungsten Silver with an All-Soft White leather interior. It rides on five-spoke alloy wheels which conceal red-painted brake calipers. Options include embroidered over mats, a satellite navigation system, power-folding mirrors, and aluminum switches, including the gearshift knob. There are a set of matching umbrellas, a serial-numbered car cover, original owner's manual, spare key fob, and window sticker.

Currently, there are fewer than 100 miles on the odometer. This is the 16th of 99 examples built.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62333K800088
Engine number: 00396

This Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato is the 88th of 99 examples produced in 2003. It wears a one-off color combination of Ferrari Titanium Gray over Claret Red Leather with charcoal carpets trimmed in matching Claret Red piping. It has serialized manuals, tools, seat covers, and a pair of factory-provided umbrellas. The odometer currently displays fewer than 350 miles since new.

This DB AR1 Zagato Roadster is powered by a 5,935cc dual overhead camshaft V-12 engine with electronic fuel injection, a six-speed manual gearbox (DB7 GT quick-shift gear lever, AP Racing clutch), four-wheel Brembo disc brakes with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs and anti-roll bars. It rides on special multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels. Zero-to-sixty mph is accomplished in 4.9 seconds and its top speed is 186 mph.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62313K800090
Engine number: 04316

The Aston Martin DB AR1 was designed with the California weather in mind, and employed a developed version of the company's state-of-the-art, 6.0-liter V12 engine enjoying a boost in maximum power to 435 horsepower, some twenty horsepower more than the DB7 Vantage. It had more torque, a revised final drive ratio, and 'active' sport exhaust system that helped produce a noticeable improvement in mid-range performance. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in just 4.9 seconds, while its top speed of 185 mph makes the DB AR1 the world's fastest true Roadster. It was, however, more than just a performance machine and was conceived as a true 'driver's car', equally at home on the challenging back roads as it was on the autobahn. The large Brembo racing-style grooved disc brakes (335mm at the front and 330mm at the rear) were gripped by alloy four-pot calipers assisted by an improved brake booster unit and moderated by Teves ABS. There was a limited-slip differential that transmitted the power to the road via special multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels with revised offset to give a wider track, and wrapped with low-profile Yokohama tires. Amenities included a power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, electronic traction control, alarm/immobilizer with remote central locking and boot release, six-speaker Becker stereo radio cassette system with 6-CD changer, and a well-appointed interior with electrically controlled sports seats.

This particular example is the 90th of 99 examples produced and remained under single ownership until recently, and has just 126 miles on the odometer. The Peacock Blue Zagato body work is complemented by Pacific Blue and Soft White leather interior and loaded with features that include full 'Bridge of Weir' leather interior, heated power door mirrors, power windows, six-speaker stereo radio cassette with six-disc CD autochanger, electronically controlled front seats with lumbar support, red-colored brake calipers and Roadster alloy wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62323K800079
Engine number: 04381

This Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato is the 79th of 99 examples built exclusively for the US market. It is finished in Tungsten Silver over black leather with carbon fiber trim. The current caretaker acquired the DB AR1 in 2006, and the vehicle currently has 9,360 miles on its odometer.

In the previous ownership, the car received aftermarket slotted brake rotors, twin-plate AP Racing clutch, and 19-inch HRE wheels.

The Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine offering 435 horsepower, enabling it to sprint from zero-to-sixty mph in 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: SCFAE62303K800047

This 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato is number 47 of 99 examples built exclusively for the United States market. It wears an Aston Martin Racing Green exterior over Fawn Bridge of Weir leather interior and currently has 2,533 miles on the odometer. The 6.0-liter, twelve-cylinder engine that delivers 435 horsepower is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Optional equipment includes power folding mirrors, aluminum gear-lever knob and switches, embroidered over-mats, a satellite navigation system, and five-spoke polished wheels.

by Dan Vaughan