Image Credit: Jay Leno's Garage/YouTubeFew people are as big an automotive enthusiast as Jay Leno. And the former chat show host and comedian has a vast car collection, showcased on his YouTube channel. Recently, he asked an all-important question. What happens when world-renowned custom builders Ringbrothers get their hands on the black sheep of the Aston Martin family?Well, you get something pretty outrageous. Leno recently got to look at the 1971 Aston Martin DBS that the team rebuilt, taking an unwanted $50,000 sports car and creating something with over 1,000hp and all sorts of extra features.Leno has looked at all sorts of cars over the years, including custom ones, but this could be the zenith of them. Ringbrothers totally reshaped the car, tweaking the body and giving it more power than its manufacturers could ever dream of. It is little wonder that it is a car that took Leno's breath away.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat makes it even better is that this monster has no traction control. Meaning that when Leno hit the wet streets of California, he had to be very careful with his right foot so as not to spin off the road. From black sheep to silver star, this Aston Martin is something else.Jay Leno Introduces the Incredible DBSLeno gave a brief introduction to the car and explained why it's considered an unpopular vehicle. Originally a six-cylinder car, it was one of the less sought-after models that Aston Martin produced. It was produced from 1967 to 1972, and only 787 were produced in total. A DBS V8 in 1969 did boost its popularity, but it's not as desirable a classic as the likes of the DB5, or even more modern cars like the DB9.This particular DBS was not a runner when Ringbrothers got their hands on it. Mike and Jim Ring, the legends behind the business, bought it for a good price and managed to get the car built over the course of three years. The first big change was the fitting of a Ford Coyote V8 engine, because the brothers couldn't find an Aston Martin engine. But as Ford later owned the company, it felt somewhat appropriate.The car has clearly been modernized, with newer bumpers, more aggressive wheels, and mod cons inside the cabin. But it retains the same base design of the DBS, and it still has the same wheelbase, windshield, and back glass. But the car is now 10 inches wider at the rear and eight inches at the front. Some of the biggest changes include the new clamshell hood, the vents all over the bodywork, and the new Harrop supercharger.This Is Far From an Ordinary Aston Martin DBSImage Credit: Jay Leno's Garage/YouTubeThe brothers called the car Octavia, inspired by Octavia Smythe, who was the international jewel smuggler in the 1983 James Bond Film Octopussy. The car did shoot to fame as the primary car for Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. This car, however, is a world away from the one that appeared in that film.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe car is finished in Double-O Silver and Nuclear Olive, and there are a few little James Bond-style details. A pistol-barrel handbrake and Martrini-glass dipstick pay tribute to the iconic films. There are plenty of other changes too, such as a six-speed manual transaxle taken from a Chevrolet C6 Corvette, and a 52-48 weight distribution.This Is Probably the Ultimate Aston Martin DBSImage Credit: Jay Leno's Garage/YouTubeInside, there are classic instrument gauges and a custom Ringbrothers steering wheel, giving the DBS a vintage feel. But there are plenty of modern features too, such as air-conditioning, rearview camera mirrors, and a more modern entertainment system. It is the perfect blend of vintage and modern, something that can sometimes be lacking on other restomods or restorations. With 1,100hp on tap, it's little wonder Leno treated it with care when he went out for a drive. The fact that it was on wet roads as well made it even more lairy, but Leno still loved the experience of driving such an incredible vehicle. If you didn't think the Aston Martin DBS was cool before, you probably do now.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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