With the new Speedback GT from David Brown Automotive, the aim was to create a car that looked like it just drove off a 1960s James Bond film set – but with the mechanical engineering of a much more modern car.
Indeed, the car firm’s owner, David Brown, has in the past derided the original DB5 – on which the GT is aesthetically based – for its lack of under-the-hood prowess and was determined to do a better job.
For the exterior, Brown hired former Range Rover chief designer Alan Mobberley, and it's hard not to be impressed with the results.
The innards of the car are largely drawn from a Jaguar XKR convertible – including the engine, gearbox, suspension, chassis, brakes and steering.
As such, reviewers point out that it handles similarly to that Jag, boasting as it does a 503bhp supercharged V8, able to reach 60mph from standstill in just 4.8sec.
But it's certainly no supercar – and in fact many high performance hatchbacks could match its acceleration and speed. But what sets the GT Speedback apart from other cars, perhaps, is its unique styling and the attention to detail found inside and out. The car features a pop-out picnic bench, plenty of high quality leather, polished elm panelling and much else besides.
Anyone lucky enough to buy one of these cars can be certain they won't ever see the same car coming in the other direction, since there are currently only six on the DBA order book.
But if such a sparse order book inspires you to worry about the commercial health of David Brown Automotive, don't: each car costs £495,000!
It’s not clear whether this includes Rolls Royce-style vehicle recovery cover (whose cars never breakdown, merely ‘fail to proceed’) – but at this price perhaps it should!
And if it doesn’t, GT Speedback buyers know where to come.
Breakdown Cover from 
