In 1959, the 24 Hours of Le Mans generated a lot of interest among manufacturers and drivers which led to a total of 97 applicants for the event but had only 54 starting places. Of the 54 that started on June 20, which included some of the biggest names in motorsports, only 13 cars made it across the line on June 21. The first to cross the line, a lap clear, was an Aston Martin DBR1/300 driven by Roy Salvadori of Britain and the American legend Carroll Shelby. In second place were their compatriots in another DBR1/300. Both cars were resplendent in their British Racing green.
To celebrate this victory, one of the most illustrious moments in Aston Martin’s motorsport history, Aston Martin of Cambridge commissioned ‘Q by Aston Martin’ – the luxury brand’s personalisation service – to build the DBS 59; a 24-units special edition of the DBS Superleggeras. The 59 obviously refers to the victorious year while each of the 24 cars represents each lap of the gruelling race. The DBS 59 also honours the DBR1 through specially engineered styling cues.
Aston Martin Racing Green was chosen for ‘DBS 59′ in honour of the DBR1’s exterior paint while a gloss finish carbon fibre on the roof panel offers a striking juxtaposition against the lustrous green. Bronze details, a nod to the bronze switches and dials of the DBR1, are to be found on the bonnet badging, front grille border, brake callipers, the 21″ forged Y spoke satin duotone wheels. Other details include the individually numbered roundel painted on the fender and the bespoke tyre wall arrow decal. On the Aeroblade is a foil inlay in bronze that outlines the original shape, chassis number and engine number of the victorious DBR1.
The homage continues into the interior space where the original seat material used on the DBR1 was recreated, including the weave. Each seat back and door insert were trimmed in heritage style material. Bronze details continue found on the shift paddles and on a bespoke ‘59 Edition’ logo embroidered on the seatback.
A combination of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather creates a calm yet sophisticated space that includes embroidery of the 1959 Le Mans circuit on the rear speaker cover. On the sun visor is embroidered the date of the race and “323 laps” that were completed within the 24 hours. Above them is a silhouette of the DBR1. Accessories include a replica heritage racing helmet, 1959 blue race suits and replicas of Carroll Shelby’s race gloves.
Interiors and the accessories of the Aston Martin DBS 59
The DBS Superleggera, launched in 2018,
features a 5.2-litre V12 engine and can reach a top speed of 211mph making it
the fastest Aston Martin series in production. Extremely stylish with
exhilarating performance is the Superleggera’s hallmark, making it a highly
desirable car. The ‘DBS 59′ adds a layer of history to an already exceptional
automobile.
“The DBS 59 strikes a careful balance between a timeless design that respects our history and a modern take that celebrates our future. The DBS Superleggera is the most powerful production car ever produced by Aston Martin, and so it is fitting that the ‘DBS 59′ special editions have been commissioned to mark sixty years since our iconic 1-2 win at Le Mans.”
Simon Lane, Aston Martin Director – Q and VIP Sales
The ‘DBS 59’ follows in the successful footsteps of other ‘Q by Aston Martin’ commissions such as the Red Arrows Edition Vanquish S, the Cygnet V8 and the North Coast 500 series of six DB11 GTs.
