Ringbrothers, the Wisconsin shop that turns forgotten classics into rolling art, unveiled something special at Monterey Car Week. Their latest creation, Octavia, started as a 1971 Aston Martin DBS—a car that bridged the elegant DB6 and the muscular V8 Vantage. After 12,000 hours of work, Octavia is a beastly mix of British poise and American grit.
A tired blue DBS was the starting point, its original 5.3-liter V8 producing 320 horsepower. Ringbrothers saw potential where others saw a relic. They stripped it down, stretched the wheelbase 3 inches and widened the track 8 inches front and 10 inches rear. The result is a stance that fills the road, amplified by custom three-piece center-lock wheels from Ragle Design and HRE, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Underneath is a Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III chassis with independent rear suspension, Fox Racing coilovers and C7 Corvette sway bars. Massive 14-inch Brembo brakes at all four corners make sure it stops as good as it goes.
- BUILD A BRITISH SUPERCAR – Young auto enthusiasts 9 years old and up can build the legendary Aston Martin Valkyrie, a stylish speed machine favored...
- REALISTIC ENGINEERING COMPONENTS – Kids can discover real automotive principles as they build and operate mechanical features including functional...
- AUTHENTIC FEATURES & DETAILS – This aerodynamic sports car toy features a striking teal color scheme and signature design elements that make it an...
Power comes from a Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8 built by Wegner Motorsports and topped with a 2.65-liter Happop supercharger. It makes 805 horsepower and sends it to a Strange Engineering Ford nine-inch rear end through a Bowler-modified Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transaxle. The setup shifts weight rearward for better balance and a custom Ringbrothers exhaust system gives it a voice to match its presence. Subtle nods to the DBS’s heritage include valve covers labeled “Aston Martini” and a dipstick handle shaped like a martini glass—a playful reference to James Bond’s drink of choice.
The bodywork, built with Gemini Technology Systems, is all carbon fiber and reshapes the DBS into something sleeker and more aggressive. Designer Gary Ragle drew inspiration from the V8 Vantage and emphasized a Coke-bottle curve that widens the track. The original DBS lines are faint but the new shape feels like a natural evolution—bold, purposeful and beautiful. A structural roll cage integrates into the frame without disrupting the aesthetic.
The interior of Octavia features a mix of billet aluminum, carbon fiber, brass and leather. The original DBS’s spirit is in the layout, but modern touches—like a suite of cameras rivaling a spy’s toolkit and Gentex Corporation’s auto-dimming visors—bring it into the present.
Jim Ring, co-owner of Ringbrothers, calls Octavia the answer to a question: What would an MI6 agent drive on holiday? His brother Mike says it’s a marriage of American muscle’s ferocity and English motoring’s refinement. The numbers tell part of the story—3,900 hours of design, 8,200 hours of build and 805 horsepower.
