A 19-year-old Aston Martin DB AR1, a rather exotic vehicle with an interesting background, is up for grabs in the USA. The bidding so far sits at a low $130,000, but everything may change in the following week until the auction closes.
Aston Martin and Zagato have been joining efforts since the 1960s, and this coupe is one of the finer examples of their cooperation. Back in 2022, the companies presented the DB7 Zagato Coupe limited to just 99 units. The demand for it exceeded all expectation, especially in southern countries, forcing Zagato to extend the series by adding another model to it called the DB AR1 (American Roadster 1). This one also enjoyed a 99-unit production run, and the example on sale was number 29 to roll out of the factory.
The car lacks any kind of top by design and has a “double-bubble” construction behind the seats, making it immediately recognizable as a Zagato creation. The body is deep blue and the interior is trimmed in lighter hues. With barely more than 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) under its belt, the car is reportedly in ideal condition.
Powering the exotic is a 5.9-liter V12 mated to a 6MT for 435 PS (429 hp / 320 kW). Back in the early 2000s, manual transmissions were still relatively common on sports cars, but not on supercars with high-end engines like this one.