The Aston Martin DBR22 is a roofless roadster with elegant looks inspired by the brand’s greatest racing car.

Unlike the recent Aston Martin V12 Speedster, a $1.5 million roadster that shared much of its look with the comparatively common Aston Martin Vantage, the new DBR22 has bespoke bodywork inspired by the Aston Martin DBR1.

That’s the car Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori drove to victory at Le Mans in 1959, when Aston went on to win the World Sports Car Championship.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 similar to that found in the DBS Superleggera, the DBR22 makes 526kW and 753Nm – enough to reach 100km/h in about 3.5 seconds before streaking on to a top speed of 319km/h.

Which is awfully quick for something without a windscreen.

While the manufacturer has not published a price for the model, British outlet Autocar says 10 examples will be sold for about £1.5 million ($2.58m) each.

Potential Australian customers can add GST and luxury car tax to that figure, pushing it well beyond the $3 million mark.

And that’s before you factor in bespoke customisation by the brand’s Q by Aston Martin division.

Aston Martin designer Marek Reichman said the DBR22 could inspire future models with its retro look.

“We’ve effectively modernised our racing bloodline and created a new pedigree,” he said.

“DBR22 is a hot-blooded, purebred Aston Martin sports car full of speed, agility and spirit, and a machine that we think will be the basis of many of tomorrow’s icons.”