Heritage or Heresy? The Polarizing Genius of the Ringbrothers Octavia

A Transatlantic Super Spy Reborn

In the elite world of bespoke automobiles, few creations have sparked as much debate as "Octavia," the audacious reimagining of a 1971 Aston Martin DBS by the Wisconsin-based artisans at Ringbrothers. Unveiled at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, this one-off commission represents a monumental undertaking of over 12,000 hours, marking the builder's first foray into a European sports car and a bold pivot from their traditional SEMA Show dominance to the global concours stage. Conceived with the prompt, "What would an MI6 agent drive on holiday?", "Octavia" is a complex fusion of British sophistication and ferocious American muscle, a project that blurs the lines between reverent homage and radical reinvention.  

Deconstruction of an Icon

The transformation from a classic grand tourer to a modern supercar was absolute. The original steel chassis and aluminum body of the 1971 DBS were completely discarded. In their place, Ringbrothers engineered a state-of-the-art FAST TRACK chassis from Roadster Shop, integrated with a structural roll cage for maximum rigidity. The body was entirely recreated in carbon fiber, preserving the original's silhouette while dramatically altering its proportions. The wheelbase was stretched by three inches, and the track was widened by a massive eight inches at the front and ten at the rear, creating an aggressive, muscular stance that is both a nod to and a significant departure from the original design.  

At the heart of this British icon now beats a thoroughly American powerplant. The original Tadek Marek-designed V8 was replaced with a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8, augmented by a Harrop supercharger to produce a formidable 805 horsepower in its street tune, with reports suggesting a potential of over 1,000 horsepower. This power is channeled through a six-speed manual transaxle, ensuring a balanced and engaging driving experience. The chassis is equipped with top-tier components, including Fox RS SV coilovers, massive Brembo brakes, and bespoke HRE centerlock wheels designed to evoke the original's GKN alloys.  

The interior is a masterclass in modern coachbuilding, blending pleated caramel leather with an exposed carbon fiber dash. The build pioneers the use of 3D-printed stainless steel for intricate components like the shift knob and badging, a technological leap for one-off creations. The James Bond theme is woven throughout with witty "Easter eggs": the name "Octavia" references a Bond film, the paint is "Double-0 Silver," the valve covers cheekily read "Aston Martini," and the dipstick handle is shaped like a martini glass, complete with a tiny olive.  

A Legacy of Controversy

The choice of the 1971 DBS was a masterstroke. Less sacrosanct than the iconic DB5, its original design already incorporated a transatlantic, muscle car-like aesthetic, providing a coherent foundation for such a radical fusion. However, upon its reveal, public reception was intensely polarized. While the automotive press lauded the exquisite craftsmanship and ambition, many enthusiasts argued that the final product looked more like a modified Ford Mustang than an Aston Martin. The engine swap was deemed "heresy" by purists, who felt an Aston Martin engine—original or modern—was essential to the car's soul.  

These critiques highlight the project's core tension. Ringbrothers didn't impose a foreign identity on the DBS; instead, they identified the most American aspects of its original design and amplified them to a modern extreme. "Octavia" is less a restoration and more a reincarnation. Compared to peers like Singer Vehicle Design or Eagle E-Types, who perfect and enhance a classic's original formula while retaining its mechanical heart, Ringbrothers' philosophy is more transgressive. "Octavia" elevates the American hot-rodding ethos of the engine swap to the highest level of global coachbuilding, creating arguably the world's first seven-figure, concours-quality hot rod.  

Ultimately, "Octavia" is a masterpiece of duality. It is a technical tour de force that simultaneously celebrates and deconstructs its source material. It forces a confrontation with fundamental questions of automotive authenticity, heritage, and identity. A brilliant and controversial statement, "Octavia" will be remembered as a landmark build that irrevocably blurred the lines between restomod, hot rod, and haute couture coachbuilding.