One-of-two Aston Martin DBS | Spotted
Casino Royale is about to turn 20; the Bond car from it might have aged even better than the film...
Next weekend is a big anniversary for James Bond fans: November 14th marks 20 years since the premiere of Casino Royale. The first movie of Daniel Craig’s tenure, the beginning of a grittier 007 era after some slightly naff Brosnan films. What a film it was, too, with plenty more to follow; as we continue to wait for another Bond caper (don't be surprised if a new 007 is announced this month), it’s well worth remembering how good the DC ones were (Quantum of Solace perhaps excepted).
Casino Royale was, of course, notable for putting Bond back in an Aston Martin too, after his dalliance with BMW (and only coming back for Die Another Day). The association endured throughout Daniel Craig’s time as 007, including the DB10 concept, a glorious old V8 and, of course, the DB5.
But it was the DBS that starred in Casino Royale (and Quantum of Solace), a perfect fit for a meaner, leaner James Bond. Funny how the arc of the DBS has also altered over the past two decades. Once upon a time, it was borderline dismissed as some kind of ruded up DB9, another Aston Martin that appeared the same as other Aston Martins and not really a fitting flagship after the Vanquish.
Now look. The DBS, with its muscular and chiselled good looks, standard manual gearbox and naturally aspirated V12, is one of the most desirable modern classic Astons. It looks much more contemporary than the DB9 and smarter than a Virage, while being worth more than both. It’s rarer than the second-gen Vanquish, which doesn’t have the Bond association. The DBS’s time has arguably come.
This one is about as good as you’ll find. It’s notable as a car that doesn’t try to look like 007’s Aston (which many seem to), this Toro Red example is thought to be one of just nine sold globally. Of those only a couple came to the UK, both two-seat manuals, so this is an exceptionally rare Aston Martin. Fortunately it’s one of those seldom specced colours that looks absolutely fantastic, a tad more exotic than the norm without impacting the DBS’s design attitude.
It’s covered just 16,000 miles since 2009, with a comprehensive history from Aston main dealers and the selling specialist. It appears basically as new, complete with that oddly XXL gearknob and acres of piano black for the centre console. At least now the DBS can be considered of its time. And nobody is buying one in 2026 for the interior ambience. You’re buying one, of course, for the movie star style and naturally aspirated V12. The DBS wasn’t the only Aston Martin to offer this powertrain, though it might have been the best of the bunch. And what a car for a European adventure exploring Casino Royale locations.
SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN DBS
Engine: 5,935cc, V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 517@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 420@5,750rpm
MPG: 17.2
CO2: 388g/km
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 16,671
Price new: £160,000
Yours for: £129,950
This was mine in morning frost white. It remains an outstanding automotive design. A great car let down by a very poor ownership experience after covering just 1400 miles largely due to a very unhelpful main dealer who wanted to fit two new front brake discs at a cost of £10K rather than fit a one 6mm brake rotor nut and bolt at £8 available from Brembo. I purchased the bolt direct and a reputable AM Indy fitted it in 10 mins and did it for me free.
The NW main dealer tried to take the pi$$ and failed.
Mine was £80k direct from AM works in June 2022 with the the AM backed 12 months comprehensive timeless warranty which wasn't worth the paper it was wasted on after just 9 months of ownership.
From experience limited boot space means a two peeps Euro trip is challenging but doable. The Aston installations pop up display, sat nav, Apple/Android infotainment upgrade is well worth the money and a decat is an option to consider if you want to avoid the rare but potential reported engine failures. The headlights also condensate inside which is a known issue.
Despite being a manual this one looks somewhat overpriced. But still a thing of beauty.
This was mine in morning frost white. It remains an outstanding automotive design. A great car let down by a very poor ownership experience after covering just 1400 miles largely due to a very unhelpful main dealer who wanted to fit two new front brake discs at a cost of £10K rather than fit a one 6mm brake rotor nut and bolt at £8 available from Brembo. I purchased the bolt direct and a reputable AM Indy fitted it in 10 mins and did it for me free.
The NW main dealer tried to take the pi$$ and failed.
Mine was £80k direct from AM works in June 2022 with the the AM backed 12 months comprehensive timeless warranty which wasn't worth the paper it was wasted on after just 9 months of ownership.
From experience limited boot space means a two peeps Euro trip is challenging but doable. The Aston installations pop up display, sat nav, Apple/Android infotainment upgrade is well worth the money and a decat is an option to consider if you want to avoid the rare but potential reported engine failures. The headlights also condensate inside which is a known issue.
Despite being a manual this one looks somewhat overpriced. But still a thing of beauty.
Props to Mee’s for full disclosure – most would’ve kept schtum – re. the patchy service history, which is a heeooge red flag.
It’s an extra vile type of IDGAF barbarian who buys a £160k high-performance GT, and then can’t be arsed to have it serviced for three years. Off with their heads!
Anyhoo, a DBS for £130k when there’re AM310 Vanquish S’s for similar £s is daft imho: much faster acceleration; stiffer bodyshell; a better GT (8-speeder); thoroughly developed / fewer faults; and a chassis fettled by a Goat, Matt Becker.
Props to Mee s for full disclosure most would ve kept schtum re. the patchy service history, which is a heeooge red flag.
It s an extra vile type of IDGAF barbarian who buys a £160k high-performance GT, and then can t be arsed to have it serviced for three years. Off with their heads!
Anyhoo, a DBS for £130k when there re AM310 Vanquish S s for similar £s is daft imho: much faster acceleration; stiffer bodyshell; a better GT (8-speeder); thoroughly developed / fewer faults; and a chassis fettled by a Goat, Matt Becker.
A Vanquish S suits the 8-speed but there is still something nice about a manual Aston from the pre-turbo era.
Patchy service history wouldn’t both me on a low mileage vehicle.
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