Friday 28th March 2014

David Brown Speedback GT - official

PH gets a first look at 'Project Judi' in all its glory and catches up with the man behind it all

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The laudable premise behind David Brown Automotive is well known by now. Disgruntled by perpetually unreliable yet beautiful classics (his preferred anecdote at the unveiling involved a Ferrari Daytona, a road rally and a Peugeot 106), entrepreneur David wanted to build his own car using modern underpinnings but with 60s style.

Don't like the modern Jag style? Try this

The GT Speedback is the result. Not the most inspirational name, is it? Plain old GTS may have just worked better in fact. All other suggestions gratefully received (by us).

And to look at? When the curtain was first pulled back (that's not a cliche, it really was behind a pair of curtains) and the blinding LED daytime lights extinguished, it's good if not spectacular. That's to these eyes at least. What's important to remember is that DBA isn't doing this the Eagle way; the Speedback is based on a modern car and not a classic reimagined with modern technology. As such, its styling has to accommodate fundamentally larger underpinnings than a DB5 or E-Type or Ferrari 250.

Consequently some of the classic styling touches can looks a little awkward on a bigger shape, the 19-inch wire wheels in particular. The Speedback just lacks that beautiful delicacy that made the originals so beguiling, with undeniable presence but looking a little odd from certain angles. At least in the launch venue of Lapicida, 'one of the world's leading international stone specialists', another of David Brown's ventures. Let's see what it's like on the road.

Speedback will get its full unveil in April

The inside is more recognisably Jaguar, but with even greater emphasis on classic luxury. All the additional British wood and leather inside makes it appear even more opulent and, in theory at least, the interior uses components that will work (make your own comments about Jaguar reliability here).

And if you want one? The Speedback will get its official launch at the Top Marques show in Monaco on 17th April, where a price will be confirmed too. All that's known now is that it will be between £100,000 and £1m. Place an order there and David Brown suggests the car will reach the customer "in around five months".

Regardless of personal opinion on the Speedback's styling or the venture as a whole, it does seem David Brown is approaching this project realistically. He describes DBA as a "natural progression" of his previous business ventures, having always been involved in sales and cars. He's keen as well to stress the functionality of the car, that it's "not supposed to be a 60s car, it's supposed to be a 2014 car".

Yes, that is a picnic seat in the boot

With the project having run for just over a year, David Brown Automotive is very much in its infancy. The Top Marques show will be crucial for the Speedback and how prospective customers react to it, because ultimately it's their opinions that count and not ours. We'll keep you posted, and hope to drive it as soon as possible.

 

 

Quick video from XCar on the Speedback here.

[MegaMinion]

Nope that doesn't work at all, it looks like a fat woman trying to fit into a small slinky dress.

[monthefish]

Bit slow today, PH newsdesk. It's a sad day when I get my car news from the Daily Mail.

p.s. Thread already running here

[chelme]

I have given it 7/10 because the wire wheels just ruin this car.

If they insist on wire wheels just take note of what Eagle have done with the Speedster. Here it is (ignore the c*ck in the driving seat and focus on those lovely wheels)

http://www.africanseer.com/news/world/344428-simon...

The tyres need to have higher profiles and look a bit slimmer IMO.

Otherwise not too bad an effort, if unarguably derivative...

Lets hope it performs better than the XKR

[nicfaz]

After staring at it a bit, I'm going to give a thumbs up. Not to everyone's taste, but if I was silly rich, I could see a place for this in my collection...

[Ive]

I like it.
One of the few small company efforts, that seems to have done some proper car design work. It does not look like any of those style contraptions.
If they now do a service contract with Jaguar, they may actually sell a few.
At least from the video, it seems so nicely put together that Jaguar management might actually embrace it.

[sunsurfer]

I like this. I doubt I would ever buy one but well done David Brown for putting his money where his mouth is. Surely it must be a standard PHer dream to create your own car?
In concept it reminds me of a 21st Century Gordon-Keeble - although I hope they have more success. The more variety of interesting cars we see on our roads, the better.

[365daytonafan]

Considering the amount of tooling that is probably required to make the body I suspect the price will be closer to £1m than £100k in the price range suggested.

On that basis this really doesn't work for me.

[kambites]

It looks OK in pictures to me, but I'd guess it's going to look really odd in the flesh because the styling doesn't suit the vehicle size. Similar to things like the MINI.

[4a4]

I think it looks great....apart form as said, a few details.

The headlights should have less 'rake' on them and maybe try to flow less into the body. I know it sounds stupid, but it needs to look just slightly less sleek and aerodynamic

The wheels should be 17s with a decent bit of wide rubber (wires just don't look right with low profiles that are slightly stretched).

Other than that, stunning interior and car altogether

[mikebradford]

Overall i find it OK
but my expectations were a little higher. for what i imagine will be an extremely exspendive car, the back lights and a few other little details look cheap.

I also consider the origanal jag shape the structure is from to actually be a nicer design

But credit to those behind it for doing this

[jackpe]

Wheels are horrid and design does not work in my book. Maybe better in the flesh.

[IMI A]

I love old cars and the philosophy behind what they're trying to achieve. There's no doubting the quality of workmanship, credentials of the team and passion behind the car but sadly the styling is well....there's no other way of saying it - awful.

Car doesn't know whether its a Maser , Aston, Jensen, or Fezza. Multiple personalities

[Schermerhorn]

Looks like a Ford Thunderbird to me.

[JsyM3]

The more I look the better it gets, but I doubt I'll be able to get comfortable with those wire wheels, the wing mirrors looking like those off a MINI, and actually the headlights stink of MINI too (Or is it just me?!)
Having said that, the bonnet scoop looks awesome...

[Davey S2]

That interior is frankly repulsive.

[TaylotS2K]

Needs a few tweeks here and there and it could be gorgeous. Those wing mirrors would go to start.

[JW911]

I shouldn't like it but I do. Needs to lose the wire wheels though, there is a brief shot early on of one without - much better. Can't afford it though.

[Twin Turbo]

Good on David Brown for pressing ahead with this. He's doing what many of us would love to do. As mentioned previously, sort the wheels (and the 'orrible wing mirrors) and it's a very nice design.

"Ferrari, Maserati.........and a bit of Aston Martin". A bit? Some subtle British humour there

Still think the Lyonheart looks MUCH better, but that's nothing more than an image on a computer.

[Bill]

monthefish said:

Bit slow today, PH newsdesk. It's a sad day when I get my car news from the Daily Mail.

p.s. Thread already running here

You missed the PH article from February that was linked in the piece here then?

[mikey77]

This would have appeared of its own accord in due course in Monte Carlo where the respective showrooms are within spitting distance of each other: 'Aston sh*gs Maserati...'