A unique Aston Martin built to celebrate the British car maker’s 100th anniversary is expected to sell for more than $1.5 million at auction. It was built for Peter Read, a car collector from California.
The Aston Martin DB9 Centennial Spyder Concept is a one-off model capable of almost 200mph.
It started out life as a DB9 before being sent to iconic Italian coach builder Zagato, which fitted the sports car with a brand new body.
Zagato spent a year on the project as designers working on the styling tried to recall famous Aston Martins from the 1970s and 1980s, such as the DBS, V8 Vantage and V8 Virage.
The snub nose penned by Zagato’s designers gives it a character all its own and a more aggressive personality, while still retaining an heir of elegance, as any Aston Martin should.
Its front end design carries through to the rear, where Zagato fitted unique taillights that mimic the design of the headlights, as well as a similarly squared off tail.
The car was eventually unveiled in July 2013 in London as part of a celebration of Aston Martin’s centenary.
Read said it “merges Aston Martin and Zagato's DNA by combining the elegance of design, typical of Zagato, with the soul, power and prestige of Aston Martin."
Read has driven the car just 2,300 miles over the past two years and has now decided to sell it at RM Sotheby’s high profile auction held in Monterey, California, in August.
It could sell for in excess of $1.5 million - making it one of the most expensive modern British motors.
Under the bonnet of the Aston is a 5.9-litre V12 engine which develops 510bhp, with power sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox.
The Aston should be able to accelerate from 0 - 62mph in around four seconds and do more than 190mph.
