RE: 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' DBS

RE: 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' DBS

Wednesday 22nd May 2019

'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' DBS

50 years on from Lazenby's Bond film, Aston pays homage to that DBS with a new Superleggera



In the long list of memorable Bond cars, it might be fair to say that the Aston DBS from 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' might not rank too highly. Sandwiched between Connery's DB5 and Moore's Esprit, George Lazenby's steed hasn't been remembered all that fondly - which seems rather a shame. Not only has the DBS name has survived, it has significance as the last Aston made under David Brown's control and its lack of gadgets in the film - beyond a telescopic sight rifle in the glovebox - makes it one of the more relatable Bond vehicles.

To mark half a century since OHMSS and the DBS's star turn in a 007 caper, Aston Martin has created a new special edition based on the DBS Superleggera. Painted Olive Green to match that original, the new Aston also gets these stunning forged wheels, carbon aero bits and a new grille, the latter specifically to evoke the 1969 car.


The interior is marked out by Alcantara and black leather upholstery, red accents and a red gearbox like the original. Should buyers want one, a bespoke drinks cabinet can be fitted in the boot - trimmed in red felt, of course. It's described as "the perfect complement to the exhibition-worthy 'Super GT'." Marek Reichmann led the DBS project: "The DBS Superleggera is a muscular car that commands attention, but the Olive Green gives it a subtlety that belies the beast beneath."

Aston will make 50 of these OHMSS Superleggeras, on sale now at £300,007 - yes, really - and with deliveries expected towards the end of this year. Should that be too long a wait (or too much of a premium), there's a healthy selection of Superleggeras in the classifieds - they kick off at £220k, with this grey over red car our particular favourite at £240k. Though none have those incredible new wheels, so maybe it's worth being one of the 50...







Author
Discussion

just passing by

Original Poster:

46 posts

78 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
love the carbon wheels and the colour. the 007-themed refs will look naff very quickly, though. £300k is a lot of money for a big old GT like this.

Gameface

16,565 posts

78 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
The amount Aston are milking the Bond connection recently is rather tacky.

Nice car though.

snake_oil

2,039 posts

76 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Stunning, but the butler will certainly have a job cleaning those wheels!

R8Steve

4,150 posts

176 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Soon to be seen with the obligatory OO07 *** registration number.

daveco

4,130 posts

208 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Probably one of the few cars that looks great with that massive front grille.

I think it looks the business.

Paddy78

208 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
I know Superleggera is now just a marketing name, but >1800kg doesn't seem to really sit with the whole principle.

I understand it's a large GT car, that's how much they weigh, but DBS Abbastanza Pesante is more appropriate and doesn't sound much less exotic... apart from the peasant bit... smile

unsprung

5,467 posts

125 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
just passing by said:
the 007-themed refs will look naff very quickly, though.
agreed

instead of the naff 007 logos I'd prefer some memorable quotes from the film

embossed on that metal door sill

but make these tiny -- maybe make an abstract pattern out of them -- so as to achieve an "Easter egg" effect; something subtle and a bit clever

like you don't notice them until the owner points them out to you

GranCab

2,902 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Worst Bond film ever ... why bother AML ? Oh yes - your shareholders that have been shafted since the IPO last October.

spikyone

1,468 posts

101 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Think Matt needs some new glasses. Those wheels are hideous. I'm not convinced by the colour either, but less gaudy wheels would improve it no end.

mac96

3,792 posts

144 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
GranCab said:
Worst Bond film ever ... why bother AML ? Oh yes - your shareholders that have been shafted since the IPO last October.
Well, that's a matter of opinion!
DBS not the most memorable car in it though...

SydneyBridge

8,635 posts

159 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
£300,007..

perfect. Hope JB uses an Aston Martin in the new film

OHMSS is one of the best bond books, the new film is meant to be a remake

NGK210

2,959 posts

146 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Delete the toe-curlingly cheesy badging; throw the vulgar wheels into a furnace; keep the rest.

HRCM

70 posts

90 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
unsprung said:
just passing by said:
the 007-themed refs will look naff very quickly, though.
agreed

instead of the naff 007 logos I'd prefer some memorable quotes from the film

embossed on that metal door sill

but make these tiny -- maybe make an abstract pattern out of them -- so as to achieve an "Easter egg" effect; something subtle and a bit clever

like you don't notice them until the owner points them out to you
Good suggestions IMHO

I love everything about this except the Bond theme and 'superleggera' claims

B10

1,240 posts

268 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Still cannot watch the end of the film. so sad. Made a big impact on me when I was 6.

anonymous-user

55 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Paddy78 said:
I know Superleggera is now just a marketing name, but >1800kg doesn't seem to really sit with the whole principle.

I understand it's a large GT car, that's how much they weigh, but DBS Abbastanza Pesante is more appropriate and doesn't sound much less exotic... apart from the peasant bit... smile
This crops up a lot, Superleggera in the name is not meant to refer to a stripped out, track focused limited run car, it's a heritage thing (DB5 for example). It has some weight saving over the DB11 V12 but not a huge amount.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend driving the DBS and then deciding on whether it's a portly, overweight GT car. I had the opportunity to have a full beans test drive in one earlier this week. When you come to terms with it having the mechanical traction to accelerate like it does, corner like the new Vantage and stop in a manner that your rib cage wants to cut through the seat belts, the last thing I thought was "this thing's too heavy".

Awesome car, and the OHMSS has some lovely, lovely touches. I'd have one in a heart beat smile

Big Robbo

319 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
FOR SALE £300,000

One kidney in good condition
Will throw in x1 wife also.....


BelfastBoy

779 posts

161 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
GranCab said:
Worst Bond film ever ... why bother AML ? Oh yes - your shareholders that have been shafted since the IPO last October.
Your opinion, of course, but very harsh! OHMSS has been subject to much re-evaluation and history has definitely been a lot kinder to it, and George Lazenby. It's also an unusually faithful adaptation of the source book, including the shockingly downbeat ending. (I'd say there's a lot of films far worse, with Die Another Day being particularly wretched.)



Triumph Man

8,699 posts

169 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Will it squeal its tyres on sand?

unsprung

5,467 posts

125 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
Triumph Man said:
Will it squeal its tyres on sand?
hehe

the countless films and TV shows in which physics is a whole other planet; apparently


Tankrizzo

7,278 posts

194 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2019
quotequote all
I'm sorry but that is proper cringey.