What's all this about?

A rather special Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, this one built at Gaydon to celebrate the one of the most celebrated moments in the marque's motorsport history. It's called the DBS 59 and just 24 will be built in total.

Is it something Aston Martin won in 1959, making this a 60th anniversary present?

You're good at this. Although, if you were better, you'd have worked out the reason why Aston is only building 24 of them... Anyway, the DBS 59 was commissioned through 'Q by Aston Martin', the brand's personalisation service, to commemorate the moment a pair of DBR1s powered to a one-two finish at the 1959 edition of the Le Man 24 Hours (now do you see?). So dominant were those two Astons that the vehicle finishing third that year was 25 laps further down the road when the chequered flag fell.

So, what does the modern DBS limited edition entail?

Well, first (and most obvious) of all, the DBS 59 is finished in Aston Martin Racing Green. This is contrasted by a gloss finish for the carbon-fibre roof panel and strakes, as well as bronze detailing - used on the 'Superleggera' bonnet badging, the bespoke front grille, the brake callipers and the 21-inch forged Y-spoke duotone satin alloy wheels. This colour is used because all the switches and dials inside the 1959 versions of the DBR1 were finished in bronze. Beyond this, there's an individually numbered roundel on the front wing, to mark out which number of the 24 DBS 59s you're looking at, while inside there's a heritage-style Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather upholstery to mimic the interior of the DBR1. More bronze details abound and a bespoke '59 Edition' logo can be seen embroidered onto the seatback, while the 1959 layout of Le Mans is stitched onto the rear-speaker cover. Even folding the sun visors down reveals the date the race took place and the 323 laps the winning DBR1 completed, and accessories include a replica heritage racing helmet, 1959 blue race suits and replicas of Carroll Shelby's (one of the winning drivers) race gloves.

Any changes to the DBS's engine?

No, but when you have a 725hp/900Nm 5.2-litre V12 up front, changes are not strictly necessary. Simon Lane, the director of Q by Aston Martin and VIP Sales, said: "The 'DBS 59' strikes a careful balance between a timeless design that respects our history and a modern take that celebrates our future. The DBS Superleggera is the most powerful production car ever produced by Aston Martin and so it is fitting that the 'DBS 59' special editions have been commissioned to mark 60 years since our iconic one-two win at Le Mans."