Barbie-themed Aston Martin to brighten up car show

A Barbie-themed sports car is about to go on display at the Classic Car Show in Birmingham.

The 1967 Aston Martin DB6 was repaired and painted pink in a workshop in Berwick in East Sussex after crashing in a rally in Mexico two years ago.

David Pearce-Martin and his team spent several months renovating the vehicle "to its former glory" as it was left "unrecognisable" after overturning at La Carrera Panamericana event.

He said when his client was looking for colours he "jokingly suggested pink as something that stands out".

Mr Pearce-Martin told BBC Radio Sussex: "Initially I thought 'what have we done?'. "But surprisingly I now think it works quite well.

"It's looking fantastic for the show. It is going to be a bright stand with a variety of colours."

The car is owned by a Sussex-based racing team, Apparently Racing, who plan to compete in it again in Mexico in 2025.

Mr Pearce-Martin is a classic car restorer who has had his own business, DPM Autobody, for 10 years.

He said he was "living childhood dreams in adulthood".

He added: "Me and my staff are all self-taught.

"Many of our classic cars are museum pieces.

"We carry out the whole restoration process using traditional methods."

The Classic Car Show runs at the NEC in Birmingham from Friday to Sunday.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.