Fun Fact: The DB7, which was the base for the DB AR1, has the rear taillights from the Mazda 323F, the chassis from the Jaguar XJS, the door handles from the Mazda MX5 (NA), the door mirrors from the Citroen CX, the optional automatic transmission from the Hummer H1, the I6 engine block from Jaguar, and if you do get the I6 version, it has a supercharger from the Ford Thunderbird.
Same. I knew about the Zagato designed DB7, but had no idea a roadster version was made exclusively for the US. I think the roofed version is best for obvious reasons though.
Reformed criminal here. That may be true, but nobody with even a marginally functional brain is stealing this car. It’s far too identifiable, and most chop shops would struggle to part it out. Cheers 🫡
I used to work at Aston Martin of Dallas as a Tech. We received the most AR-1 models in the US. We had 5. One was #7, labeled 007. It was sold at auction. I told my fellow Master Tech that they would never sell, as they didn't come with an actual roof. Well, collectors bought them up quick. The chassis and basically everything else is based on the DB7 GT. The A/C blower motors are their biggest weak point as most underpinnings were still based on Jaguar parts underneath the dash, as most people know already. They were very pretty. The body was similar to the Vanquish in look and feel at the time, though custom design. If you feel the door, it feels like a Vanquish, if you get a chance to compare. I drove them to insure everything worked before delivery. They drove fantastic, just like the DB7 GT. Doug's report was very correct as I remember.
I remember seeing one at your dealership owned by the GM It was up on a ramp The rear diff had oil issues and If memory serves You guys were swapping out a vanquish rear end
@@Craycrayallday The DB7 has all the back of a Mazda slapped on an Aston Martin. It doesnt look right. It is an unholy creation and Zagato improved the looks with those generic lights.
I saw a DB AR1 once in my life and it was in Switzerland, probably 2008. It was on diplomatic plates. I remember thinking that this car looks kinda weird for an Aston Martin and took pictures of it. Only later I realised how rare it was, especially in Europe.
I used to work at a luxury car dealership and we had one of the DB7 Zagato coupés in our inventory. I never really noticed it until i asked my boss what kind of Aston that was. I was very surprised to hear that it was one of 99 and by far the most expensive car in our inventory at that time. Always thought it looked rather ugly.
I love these older Aston Martin's. Especially the Zagato bodied ones. I remember when this Aston was new. This and the Zagato coupe, are my favorite Aston Martins. I'm so glad to see it has a proper manual transmission. I've seen these DB AR1's go up for sale a few times over the years. I know that Jeremy Clarkson likes the DB7. Thank you.
The key shape isn't really that uncommon. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but that was the key and tumbler design for Ford locks in Europe for decades, and must be why Aston and Jaguar used them, since they were under Ford ownership.
Pretty much every Car that Zagato designed looks amazing, even the more quirky ones. I still haven't seen one Zagato Model of any Car Brand that didn't look great and as far as i know Zagato still does Designs to this Day! The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is probably my favourite one Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps
This is most likely the rarest series built factory car I have ever seen driving around. It was a light green metallic one and it was driving on the A2 highway between Utrecht and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I think it was about 2008. This also means that at least one car was outside the USA by then!
Loved the drive; I lived right around there, fifteen years ago. Starting on the 1 between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, turning off at Pelican Hills and going up Newport Coast Drive... happy days.
I love how Doug always lists those handbrakes as quirky and describes them like hes never seen one before. Despite having reviewed dozens of cars with them
@@dhalsim-1 yeah but he does this with a lot of things, acts like it’s a unique feature to a specific car that’s actually quite common, or like he hasn’t seen it before. Kind of stupid to even care about lol but it’s annoying when the Big RU-vid Car Guy acts like the 100th push button transmission he’s reviewed is so QuiRkY
Man, congrats on achieving the dream of many of us. Your joy when reviewing these cars is contagious and the reason as to why I keep coming back to watch these. You took the risk of the content developer life and it paid off, congrats! (not that you need any rando telling you this) hahaha
I had the privilege of spotting one of these in the wild many years ago. I had to do a double take before realizing it was a true Zagato Aston. One of the most lovely rides I've ever seen 💯
Who else would love to see Doug review an old muscle car from years gone by? Like a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS-6 4-Speed? Or a 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda 426 HEMI 4-Speed Pistol Grip? Or a 1969 Corvette L-88 4-Speed? It would be so cool for him to pick one and then learn all about it and what was happening with the automotive industry in that timeline and give us a good old fashioned Doug review!!! PLEASE Doug!!! I think it would be great. At least think about it buddy!!!
Zagato Astons pretty much all have a larger grille than the car they're based on. That, along with the double-bubble roof (or double fairing in this case) seems to be a signature feature.
Ford owned both Jaguar and Aston Martin in 2003 and 2004, the "years" DB AR1's were manufactured. The key similarity is not as much coincidence as Doug seems to infer. The type of key used in the DB AR1 WAS, in fact, shared with Jaguar models in '03 and '04. Only the head (or "bow") varied between manufacturers and *subsequent models, while the shafts (in flat keys called "blades") and then their ignitions (cylinders, receivers, rotors, etc) used identical technology between both Jag and Martin, throughout the years Ford owned the two brands... *from '99 to '02 both Jag and Martin keys had heads, but from '02 to '07 (final year of Fords ownership) the Jag X-Type switched to a flip type key, where the traditional "shaft" type portion of the key flipped in and out of an electronic key fab, rather than their keys having traditional key heads... ...(or bows).
Funny thing is that it has the exact same turn signal and wiper levers of the Focus I had at the time. I would tell people my Focus had Aston Martin switches and levers 😂
Quite a lovely looking Aston I’ve been driving Astons since 2005 and currently proud owner of DB5 & DB9 But never even seen this one Doug always delivers unique cars to review
That Headunit was available as an Aftermarket Headunit (at least in Germany) under the Brand "Becker" and was also named the "Traffic Pro". Pretty sure Aston, Ferrari and others bought that as an OEM Part. My dad had that in the early 2000s for his Audi A4. So, our 2003 Base Spec, Company provided A4 had something in common with Ferraris and Astons from that era.
Check 8:38 to 8:41 the paint reflection shows a very similar, if not exact, shine of the Zagato "Z" no chance that is on accident! They planned that through the body work and paint choice!! Wonderful!
I missed out on some really cool cars back in the day. I recall in 2005/2006 Gen 4 Supras trading hands for around $20,000 or less sometimes, $25,000 for NSX’s. I came close to buying a Supra, but it would have taken too much out of our house down payment fund. I still feel bad about missing out as it was that really rare bluish purple color that’s kinda like the Ford mystichrome they used on some Cobras.
Another comment here from a former Audi tech said that collectors bought up all these AR1’s real quick. No one was giving them away for any less than the original MSRP.
16:40- my 2004 Toyota Solara GLE has to levers, one for telescopic wheel and one for up/down. The most reliable car I ever had 250k miles and I still have it without any issues except new headlights cus of yellowing.
WOW, way less mistakes! I'll finally concede, you ARE getting to know your cars Doug! Nice review, good choice too!! 90's and early 2000's Aston Martins were just amazing... Hell, A.M.'s are still the "wise mans' supercar."
who know's if they meant to do this, but the body panel at 8:30 reflects the light in the shape of a Z, perhaps for zagato? if they meant to do this, very clever
Thanks Doug for reviewing one of my favorite cars the Zagato ARI now you have to find another master piece of collaboration between Aston Martin & Zagato the V8 Zagato from the 80’s and review it please Doug
@@musicmoviesandgames2004 Actually, they made 99 plus 1 with the final example not being sold to a client in the US, but for Aston Martin’s own collection.
@8:52 the two leather wrapped panels behind the head rests were a gorgeous touch, as well. The Chrome screw in the panel closest to the door is actually quite indicative of there having been plans for a removable hard top, at some point.
YES! I LOVE THIS CAR! Thank you Doug, as always :) A car that always reminds me that sometimes, America gets the exclusive, special version. Sometimes.
Hey Doug! Love this video (as always!!) I was wondering if you would do a review of a Mazda Eunos Cosmos? Such an interesting car from a somewhat strange period in Mazda's history with the only 3 rotor engine in a production car ever! I hope you see this, cheers!
8:38 could be coincidence or just incredible design and attention to detail, but the light reflecting on the quarter panel creates the Zagato ‘Z’ using the light and creases in the bodywork
the dual umbrellas actually makes more sense on a roofless car to me. sudden pop up rain cloud? pull over, suction cup your parking roof to the car, and then you each get your own umbrella instead of sharing one until the rain stops. p.s. who’s the silent suit in the passenger seat?
@@Cessna-dv8uy, in Test Drive Unlimited 1, PC version. You can find it in the main Aston Martin dealer. Pretty cool car, I'll take it for a drive later, hehe
Nice finger cutout on the horizontal fuel door. If you like water pouring into your British roadster. Rust is never a problem with those. Not at all. 😂
