Highlights

Number 009 / 099 built
Rare manual car
High specification
Exclusive extras
Comes with factory cover

The Appeal

Following issues with the homologation of the DB7 Zagato for the US, Aston Martin created the ‘DB American Roadster 1’ almost exclusively for the American market.

Just 99 cars were built for the public, all in left-hand drive, and with the vast majority going to the US.

Most of them were specified with the 5-speed automatic transmission, which makes this 6-speed manual car (complete with the more powerful 435bhp engine) a real rarity.

Presented in exceptional condition, with all of its exclusive features and just 4,299 miles on the clock, this is the kind of opportunity that may never come along again.

The History and Paperwork

Zagato designed special edition, assembled at Gaydon
First registered in 2003
Imported back to the UK in December 2016 from Florida
1 owner since import to the UK
Owner’s handbooks and exclusive DBAR1 literature
Exclusive matching-number DBAR1 leather jacket included
Full service, health check and air-con service in August 2020
Last MOT in March 2018 @ 4,272 miles
Car has been in storage since March 2019

The Interior

Parchment ‘Bridge of Weir’ leather upholstery
Electrically operated, heated seats
Original Becker sound system
Electric windows and door mirrors
Air conditioning

With swathes of gorgeous Parchment leather, and Spruce secondary leather on the dash top, covering nearly every surface internally, the DBAR1’s cabin is extremely luxurious.

The leather is diamond stitched on the seat centres and rear luggage shelf, offering an extra dose of exclusivity.

All of the leather is in very good condition, with only light signs of use to the door cards and rear bench. There is a little more wear to the seat bolsters, but it’s still quite minor and nothing that would concern us.

Certainly, we didn't see any tears, cracks or evidence of excessive wear.

Complementing the leather, the carpets are beige with matching overmats. They are in exceptional condition for the age, with the mats still wrapped in plastic.

Looking at the dash and driving controls, it’s obvious that the car has barely been used, as hardly any wear is evident on the switchgear and instruments. No warning lights are present on the binnacle.

The sound system is the original Becker radio/cassette 6-speaker unit, complete with 6 CD changer.

The boot is generous, trimmed with black carpet and still contains the original first aid kit in its black leather pouch. One very nice touch is the two branded golf umbrellas that are mounted at the back of the boot space.

They appear to be unused, even retaining the bubble-wrap on their handles.

The Exterior

Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork
Full roadster layout, with rain cover for when parked
Original Aston Martin wheels
Exceptionally clean underneath

With its curvaceous bodywork, and the rear speed-humps referencing the trademark ‘double bubble’ Zagato roof, the DBAR1 is a show-stopper from every angle.

Built on the DB7’s steel platform, the Zagato designed roadster adds aluminium wings, sills, bootlid, bumpers and valances. These carefully crafted panels remain in excellent condition, with no evidence we could see of damage or corrosion.

Likewise the paintwork exhibits a lovely shine and, while there are sure to be some minor blemishes, there are no notable scratches, blemishes or scuffs that we could discern.

So too, all of the external trim, badges, the light lenses and the windscreen itself present in excellent condition, with no evidence of cracks or chips we could see.

The car is riding on the factory-supplied 5-spoke 18” wheels, shimmering in their original coat of silver and looking to be undamaged and very smart indeed. They’re shod in low profile Pirelli P Zero tyres that appear to have plenty of tread on them and look to be in fine fettle.

We were able to see the car up on a ramp and, as you'll see from the pictures, the underside is as near to immaculate as a 19 year old car gets.

Very clean and straight, with no evidence we could see of damage, repair or corrosion, even the original factory part sticker on the front sub-frame is in near perfect condition.

The Mechanics

5,935cc V12
Rare 6-speed manual transmission

Featuring as it does the 6-speed manual transmission, this car is the rarest of all DBAR1s as most were specified with the automatic Touchtronic system.

The car benefits from the same engine as the DB7 GT, offering 435bhp and 410 lbs-ft, enough for a 0-60 sprint of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 185mph.

Adding a dose of theatre to proceedings, the active exhaust system from the V12 Vanquish was also fitted to the car, offering a more sporting experience.

Keeping all of those wild horses under control, the car was also equipped with a twin-plate AP Racing clutch, fully independent double wishbone suspension all round, Brembo discs, Pagid RS pads and the uprated brake booster from the Vanquish.

All of these enhancements make the DBAR1 a true driver’s car and a unique experience for those fortunate enough to drive one.

Popping the bonnet, we can see that the engine and bay have been as well kept as the rest of the vehicle.

It’s immaculately clean, with no evidence we could see of leaks or any other issues.

Summary

Few cars are as rare, or desirable, as an Aston Martin Zagato special edition. And this may just be the most desirable of all their modern collaborations.

With that swooping aluminium bodywork, intoxicating V12 and extremely rare manual transmission, it certainly ticks all the right boxes.

As one of just 99 ever built, with incredibly low mileage and finished in stunning Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork, this car could rightfully take its place in any collection, anywhere in the world.

It is truly a deeply special thing.

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