Aston Martin sold just 22 examples of the achingly beautiful DBR22 open-top barchetta to its most prized customers, though it was originally meant to make just 10 units. It was produced to commemorate 10 years of the company’s Q Division, responsible for special projects and individualisation, which explains the original production run number.
Of course, demand was great enough for Aston to more than double that, though it’s not to be mistaken with the V12 Speedster, of which 88 were made. One has finally popped up at auction, though we can’t imagine its new owner would add much to its 110-mile odometer.
Listed with RM Sotheby’s, this 2024 Aston Martin DBR22 is described as “like-new” and we can see why. Finished in the same shade as Aston Martin’s Formula 1 race car, with Aston’s factory driver and two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso’s autograph across the dash, this DBR22 is simply too special to drive about. Not to mention that it takes over four hours and removal of the barely-there windshield just to get to the V12 engine up front for an oil change.
That’s because the front and rear clamshells on the DBR22 are single, continuous pieces of carbon fiber, giving the DBR22 its signature clean, sculpted look. Designed as a tribute to Aston Martin’s spunky 24 Hours of Le Mans racing history, in the DBR1 and DB3S race cars, the DBR22 is more apt as a piece of art. Though its 5.2-liter V12 with 715 horsepower is certainly up to the job of keeping up with its forefather’s speedy titles.
Limited-run supercars always lead to the most awkward of dilemmas. Do you drive them as they were meant to be, and risk taking a hit to their values in the collector’s market? Or do you park them and enjoy their lines and hope their value appreciates? It seems the previous owner of this Aston DBR22 made his choice.
