Category Archives: Restomod

Ringbrothers Reinvents the Aston Martin DBS as a Supercharged Hot Rod

The Aston Martin DBS has long been celebrated as a gentleman’s GT—sleek, refined, and forever tied to James Bond’s suave image. But American restomod legends Ringbrothers have asked a very different question: What if 007’s weekend car wasn’t shaken, but seriously stirred? The result is Octavia, a wildly reimagined DBS that trades its British heart for American muscle.

A Mustang Heart, Supercharged to 805 HP

Under the carbon-fiber hood, the DBS no longer hums with an Aston inline-six or V8. Instead, it roars with a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8, familiar from the Mustang GT, but here it’s been thoroughly overhauled and force-fed by a 2.65-liter supercharger. The combination delivers a staggering 805 horsepower—nearly triple what the original DBS ever dreamed of.

To handle that power, Ringbrothers swapped in a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the same heavy-duty unit found in machines like the C6 Corvette, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. In other words, this is no fragile Bond prop car—it’s engineered to take a beating.

Rebuilt From the Ground Up

Ringbrothers didn’t just stuff a big engine into an old British chassis and call it a day. The car’s structure has been completely transformed thanks to a bespoke Roadster Shop chassis. Wheelbase has been stretched by three inches, the front track widened by eight inches, and the rear track by ten.

Suspension duties fall to Fox coilovers at all four corners, while braking comes from massive 380mm Brembo discs hidden behind custom HRE center-lock wheels. The stance is aggressive, the geometry modern, and the capability well beyond anything the stock DBS could ever deliver.

Bond Style, With a Twist

The body may look familiar, but every panel is carbon fiber. Finished in Double-0 Silver—a nod to Aston Martin’s cinematic ties—the DBS looks like it belongs on a movie poster. Inside, the cabin blends tan leather, brass door handles, and a carbon-fiber dash with stainless accents. It’s equal parts classic British luxury and hot-rod theater.

The Bond connection doesn’t stop there. The engine’s valve covers read “Aston Martini”, and the oil dipstick is shaped like a martini glass. As Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring put it: “We asked ourselves, what would an MI6 agent drive on his holiday?”

Octavia Takes the Stage

Nicknamed Octavia, this one-off restomod makes its public debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week. With its outrageous mix of British elegance and American brute force, it’s less an homage to Aston Martin tradition and more a Bond villain’s fever dream.

One thing’s for certain: if Q Branch ever got its hands on it, James Bond might never return it to the garage.

Source: Ringbrothers

Classic Mini Returns with Modern Flair

In a world where size and digital excess often dominate automotive headlines, the timeless charm of the classic Mini stands out as a refreshing alternative. Now, in a stunning collaboration that bridges heritage and innovation, legendary designer Ian Callum’s eponymous design firm has joined forces with Wood & Pickett — the artisans behind the iconic Margrave Mini of the 1960s — to reimagine the beloved British icon for a new generation.

The result is a limited-production restomod that blends 1960s charisma with 21st-century performance and craftsmanship. Built upon the bones of a Mk5 Sportspack Mini, this reborn classic is more than just a nostalgia trip; it’s a fully reengineered driver’s car with bespoke details throughout.

From the outset, the car sets itself apart with a series of bold exterior upgrades. Lighting housings have been entirely rethought, giving the front and rear ends a more purposeful look. Redesigned valances and an updated rear section further distinguish it from the original model, while flared wheel arches not only enhance visual aggression but also contribute to improved aerodynamics and cooling.

Sitting proudly on 13-inch alloy wheels designed in-house by Callum, the car sports 8.4-inch vented and grooved brake discs, ensuring that stopping power matches its sporty demeanor.

Under the bonnet lies a “newly rebuilt” 1.3-liter Stage 3 road/rally engine delivering an impressive 100 horsepower — a significant boost over the original powerplant. Featuring twin-point fuel injection, a performance cylinder head, and a revised ECU, the engine is mated to a reengineered transmission, all tuned for both everyday drivability and weekend spirited runs. A twin-exit upswept exhaust provides the auditory punctuation, while a bespoke road-tuned suspension kit ensures comfort without compromising the go-kart handling Minis are known for.

Step inside, and the craftsmanship continues. The dashboard, inspired by Wood & Pickett’s original Margrave design, combines analog elegance with modern functionality. Classic dials and tactile physical switches are joined by a discreet screen with Apple CarPlay integration — a nod to today’s digital expectations without betraying the car’s analog soul.

Each of these Callum x Wood & Pickett Minis will be hand-built to order, starting at £75,000 (approximately $103,000 USD). But don’t expect any two examples to be the same. Buyers are invited to collaborate closely with the Callum team, tailoring each build to their personal taste — from trim and paint to performance tuning and tech.

This isn’t just a car. It’s a statement — one that says individuality, craftsmanship, and timeless design still have a place in our fast-moving automotive world. And for enthusiasts of the original Mini, it’s a thrilling reminder that great things often come in small, exquisitely detailed packages.

Source: Callum Design

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Restomod Nissan Micra 350SR

In 2002, Nissan introduced the Micra 350SR, marking the model’s racing history in Japan. Now, Nissan Design Europe has decided to present a restomod edition of the car, which the company would use to promote the new sixth generation Micra.

The car is finished in satin liquid silver with blue and black details, and new graphics inspired by the “=III 23” iconography, which will come on the new Micra and Leaf models. It is equipped with LED headlights like those on the new generation and new 18-inch RAYS wheels.

The interior has also been refreshed with new seats and seat belts, new speakers, an infotainment system with a 9-inch screen, which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems.

When it comes to the powertrain, it is not known whether there have been any changes. However, many believe that Nissan Europe has installed a 3.5-L V6 engine from the Murano, exhaust manifolds from the 350Z, a modified ECU, as well as high-lift camshafts and an intake system from NISMO. The company has not confirmed this.

Source: Nissan

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