Here’s a rare Aston Martin DB that has nothing to do with James Bond. It’s a 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato roadster, one of 99 examples built exclusively for the U.S. market, and it packs a V12 engine with less than 1,000 miles on the clock. This now 20-year-old British luxury roadster will be heading to Phoenix, Arizona, to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in late January.
The Aston Martin DB AR1 roadster was developed by the Italian design house Zagato, along with the DB7 Zagato coupe. The AR1 in its name stands for American Roadster 1, and this particular car is one of the last ones built, number 97 out of 99.
The Zagato roadster comes finished in an alluring Seafoam Green exterior with a Fawn quilted leather interior. Moreover, Zagato designed the AR1 with sunny skies in mind, so there is no folding roof or soft top. Instead, the car comes with a simple rain cover to protect the interior when parked in the open.
Under the long hood sits a 6.0-liter V12 engine rated at 435 horsepower, capable of reaching a top speed of 185 mph. Performance upgrades include an active sport exhaust with bypass valves for the rear mufflers, a twin AP racing clutch, and Brembo four-piston disc brakes. In addition, the Brembo brakes are hidden behind a set of bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels.
The 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s on January 26, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. The rare roadster comes with a copy of its dealer sticker, original paperwork, and a trunk-mounted umbrella. With so few miles on such a beautiful roadster, one can only hope the next owner will indulge in the car’s purpose and drive it.
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