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Q by Aston Martin: ‘DBS 59’ marks legendary 1959 Le Mans win

Q by Aston Martin: 'DBS 59' marks legendary 1959 Le Mans win

Published: Nov 01, 2018

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Neil Allison

One of the greatest moments in Aston Martin Lagonda's (AML) illustrious motorsport history is the inspiration for the latest Q by Aston Martin: Commission; the 'DBS 59'

01 November 2018, Gaydon: One of the greatest moments in Aston Martin Lagonda’s (AML) illustrious motorsport history is the inspiration for the latest Q by Aston Martin: Commission; the 'DBS 59'
Inspired by Aston Martin’s historic 1-2 finish in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1, Aston Martin Cambridge has commissioned a collection of 24 very special DBS Superleggeras – one for every hour of the legendary endurance race. Called the ‘DBS 59’, each is identified by bespoke design features, hand-crafted interiors and graphic elements drawing directly from the DBR1 and the race it so famously conquered.
A marque synonymous with success in the world’s toughest endurance race – the most recent being a dramatic class win for the V8 Vantage GTE in last year’s race – Aston Martin’s outright victory in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans is the stuff of motorsport legend. Facing stern opposition from works Ferrari and Porsche entries, plus a team of Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars, the David Brown Racing Aston Martin DBR1s fought valiantly to score a famous 1-2 finish in a masterful display of pace, reliability and teamwork.
Since described by Sir Stirling Moss – who helped Aston Martin win the 1959 World Sportscar Championship – as ‘the most important Aston Martin ever produced’, the DBR1 has deservedly attained iconic status. Just five were built between 1956 and 1959, making it one of the rarest Aston Martins ever, and when one last went to auction (at Monterey in 2017) it set a new world record as the most valuable British-made car ever with a sale price of £17.5m ($22.5m).
Immediately identifiable by its timelessly beautiful Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork, the DBS 59 features extensive use of gloss finish Carbon Fibre, most strikingly on the roof, roof strake and painted bonnet louvres. A classic combination of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather is used throughout the interior, together with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material used to trim the ‘DBS 59’s’ seat backs and door inserts. Bronze detailing is strategically deployed around the exterior and interior, with the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’ bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Q Fender Badge amongst the items painted.
Additional Q by Aston Martin detailing include bespoke Saddle Leather Helmet Pods in the rear compartment to hold special ‘DBS 59’ crash helmets, race suits and gloves, and a bespoke ‘DBS 59’ logo embroidered in the seat headrests. Each of the ‘DBS 59s’ will be identifiable by a small painted white roundel adjacent to the side strakes, with each car numbered from 1-24.
Further accessories include period blue race overalls complete with Aston Martin and ‘DBS 59’ logos; replica string-backed racing gloves modeled on those worn by 1959 Le Mans-winning driver Caroll Shelby; replica 1959 race helmet; bespoke 2-piece luggage set to match interior trim; bespoke car cover in Aston Martin Racing Green and featuring white roundels with specific edition number.
The DBR1’s proud genetic legacy is very much evident in the 2018 DBS Superleggera. The fastest and most powerful series production model in Aston Martin’s multi-award winning range, this 211mph, 715bhp Super GT is an inspired combination of imperious performance and impeccable style. Having received the attention of Q by Aston Martin: Commission it is a truly covetable car; one aimed at those who appreciate the lasting significance of DBR1’s historic victory and world-beating contemporary performance and handling of the DBS Superleggera.
Speaking of the ‘DBS 59’, Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule said: “When Aston Martin Cambridge expressed a desire to create a limited run of DBS Superleggeras inspired by the DBR1’s famous Le Mans victory we knew it had to be something special. The soft metallic hue of the Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork is classy and timelessly beautiful; the level of thought and detailing is exceptional. My favourite element on the ‘DBS 59’ are the seat backs that feature fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material, but there are countless touches that will intrigue and delight”.
The ‘DBS 59’ limited edition is the fourth Q by Aston Martin: Commission from Aston Martin Cambridge, following on from the success of last year's Red Arrows Edition Vanquish S, and the earlier success of V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition, marking 80 years of the Supermarine Spitfire's first flight, and the Vantage S Blades Edition, developed in collaboration with the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
‘DBS 59s’ 1 through 24 are available to order now from Aston Martin Cambridge. To place your order please contact Simon Lane at simon.lane@jardinemotors.co.uk.

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Devel Sixteen reportedly not even close to production

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Porsche denies speculation that it’s planning to go public

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Porsche 918 Spyder

The German luxury carmaker Porsche has denied speculation that it's planning to pursue an initial public offering (IPO).

On Friday, the company's chief financial officer suggested to reporters gathered at the firm's development center that such a listing could easily top the success of Ferrari's foray into public ownership. The Italian supercar maker has an estimated value of around $22 billion.

In comments not denied by Porsche to CNBC, Lutz Meschke said a listed car company led by Porsche and including Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini could merit a valuation worth more than three times that of Ferrari. Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini form part of the Volkswagen Group, alongside Porsche.

“A valuation of 60 billion to 70 billion euros certainly doesn't sound like a stretch,” he was reported as saying, before adding that analysts would value such a firm on the same metrics as a luxury stock.

Meschke is further quoted as saying: “Every company needs to think about whether it makes sense to create competitive divisions.”

In an emailed response to CNBC on Monday, Porsche flatly denied any suggestion it was moving toward public ownership.

“Porsche does not currently have any plans to pursue a (partial) initial public offering (IPO). The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer denies all reports to the contrary that claim an IPO is in progress,” it said.

Porsche also said Meschke's comments simply reflected on how the Ferrari listing was “a positive example of how an IPO can be a beneficial move during the automotive sector's current period of transformation.”

The German car maker further highlighted that during his presentation Meschke had said he had no authority on any Porsche IPO, with that decision ultimately resting with executives at the company's parent owner, Volkswagen.

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Ferrari stock target raised by nearly 40 percent as SocGen says firm now has a better plan

CNBC

Ferrari's renewed focus on high-end clients is a “game changer” for its valuation said Societe Generale on Wednesday, as the French bank raised its price target for the stock by almost 40 percent.

Italy's most famous supercar maker first listed on the New York Stock exchange in October 2015 with an Initial Public Offering (IPO) price of $52. At Tuesday's close the stock was worth $128.95.

After long questioning the stock's value, the bank said they have now changed their mind, upping their price target for the luxury car manufacturer of $130 from $94 and shifting their recommendation from “Sell” to “Hold”.

“The facts have changed and so we have changed our mind on Ferrari,” read the note penned by equity analyst Stephen Reitman.

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Reitman argued that Ferrari's initial plan to reach its 2022 sales target by turning to the SUV market would be difficult because of widespread competition. He added that any “dash for growth” could risk damaging the brand's exclusivity.

That strategy was put in place by former CEO Sergio Marchionne who died in July this year following surgery. His successor, Louis Camilleri, updated markets in September with a new earnings target range for 2022 of between 1.8 and 2 billion euros ($2.1 -2.3bn).

That represented a slight pull back from Marchionne's 2-billion-euro figure, but Reitman said that while the target numbers were largely unaltered, the company strategy has now changed.

“The new mid-term plan broadly repeats the key financial objectives laid out in February, but the way Ferrari plans to achieve them appears to have fundamentally altered,” he said.

Ferrari unveiled two new car models on September 18 2018. They are titled the Monza SP1 and Monza SP2.

The analyst said Ferrari has doubled-down on high end customers after it debuted two brand new road cars, the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 last month.

Ferrari have said that the latest models are part of a limited series called “Icona.” The name has been chosen to reference the firms famous racing cars of the 1950's. The cars will retail at a starting price of 1.6 million euros.

Ferrari said the limited edition would run to a maximum of 499 cars but that there will be further model releases as part of the Icona range.

On plans for an SUV release, Ferrari have now pushed back the release date by two years to 2022. Reitman described the change of strategy as a “game-changer” for the firm.

Societe Generale added that Ferrrai's fundamentals ought now to be valued somewhere between the weighted average of the European luxury goods sector and the French high fashion luxury goods manufacturer, Hermes.

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