SEMA 2025: 1971 Aston Martin DBS “Octavia” by Ringbrothers

One of my favorite custom car builders is the Wisconsin-based team of Mike and Jim Ring, better known as the Ringbrothers. Over the past two decades, the brothers have built some of the most meticulously engineered and beautifully crafted custom vehicles in the world. Their projects consistently combine innovative design, advanced manufacturing techniques, and incredible attention to detail.

The Ringbrothers unveiled their latest creation, a heavily modified 1971 Aston Martin DBS nicknamed “Octavia,” during Monterey Car Week in August. I caught up with the car a few months later at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The car was displayed in the Gentex booth and quickly became one of the standout builds of the show.

As with other Ringbrothers builds, there is more to the car than meets the eye. “Octavia” has numerous James Bond references. The custom BASF Glasurit paint color is called Double-O Silver, a nod to Bond’s 00-agent designation. The engine wears custom valve covers that say “Aston Martini,” while the dipstick handle is shaped like a Martini glass complete with an olive garnish. Even the car’s name references the villain Octavia from the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.

The scope of the project is difficult to overstate. According to Ringbrothers, approximately 3,900 hours were invested in computer-aided design before construction even began. Starting with a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis, another 4,300 hours went into the physical build, bringing the total project time to roughly 8,200 hours.

Although the car began life as a 1971 Aston Martin DBS, very little of the original vehicle remains. The entire body was recreated in carbon fiber and extensively modified. The front track was widened by eight inches, while the rear gained an additional ten inches. The wheelbase was also stretched by three inches to achieve the desired proportions and stance.
Power comes from a Wegner Motorsports-built 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8 equipped with a custom Harrop supercharger and controlled by a Holley Terminator X-Max engine management system. The combination produces an impressive 805 horsepower. A Bowler Performance TR-6060 Magnum six-speed manual transaxle transfers power to the rear wheels.

Handling and comfort are vastly improved thanks to the independent rear suspension system. It rides on a set of custom HRE wheels measuring 19×11 inches in the front and 20×13 inches in the rear, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Behind those, Brembo disc brakes provide upgraded stopping power.

Ringbrothers also fabricated a custom exhaust system with Borla mufflers and unique exhaust tips machined from carbon fiber and stainless steel. Inside, the cabin was completely reimagined by Steve Pearson of Upholstery Unlimited, creating a bespoke interior worthy of the extensive exterior and mechanical modifications.

The Ringbrothers have built some remarkable vehicles over the years, but Octavia may be their most ambitious project to date. They transformed a 1970s luxury car into a modern muscle car with custom bodywork, modern performance, advanced materials, and James Bond-inspired details, creating a truly unique automobile. “Octavia” shows what Ringbrothers can do, and why they are one of the premier custom car builders in the industry.