9:25 am, February 3, 2014
A LUXURY car dealer has unveiled a scaled-down version of the iconic Aston Martin DB5, designed to inspire youngsters to drive.
Nicholas Mee, managing director at Nicholas Mee & Co in West London, usually sells classic Aston Martins in excess of £1m, but he’s now offering pint-sized versions for the same price as a Ford Fiesta ST at £16,500.
The ‘DB Junior’ is a fully-functioning petrol-powered version of the classic Aston Martin convertible, designed for children aged over 10.
According to Yahoo News, Mee is looking to the future and in hoping that children will fall in love with the symbolic Aston Martin before they’re old enough to drive.
It’s the full package too, featuring leather seats and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. It’s powered by a 110cc four-stroke engine and has a top speed of 46mph.
The DB Junior also comes with a set of Brembo brake discs, a semi-automatic three-speed gearbox and key-operated electric start.
Despite being pocket-sized, the cars can seat people up to 6ft tall, they have working head and taillights as well as a horn and indicators. Sadly, they can’t be driven on public roads, but are restricted to private land and racing tracks.
Mee told Yahoo News: ‘When we first saw the DB Junior we couldn’t stop smiling.
‘We then realised that these scaled-down 1960s convertibles would complement full-sized offerings here in our showrooms.
‘What’s more, we regularly have inquiries from our clients looking for something unusual and different to add to their collection of classics.’
He added: ‘You’d be surprised how well the DB Junior is engineered, and how much room there is in the cockpit.
‘It’s big enough for an adult and the pedals can be adjusted so that the DB Junior will fit a wide range of drivers. Let’s just say junior drivers of all ages.’
