Aston Martin DBR1 1956

[NART512]

History:
This is one of Aston Martin's most not worthy race cars of all time. This car raced in the 24 Hours of Le mans, as well as the 1000km of Nurburgring and Spa (see win statistics below). It was raced by legendary drivers such as Carroll Shelby, Sterling Moss, Jim Clark, and Jack Brabham.
1000km of Nurburgring wins: 3 (1957-1959)
24 Hours of Le Mans wins: 1 (1959)
1000km of Spa: 1 (1957)

Specs:
Engine:
2.5L Straight 6 but was later upgraded to a 2.9L straight 6 producing 250hp.
Weight:
801kg (1,765lbs)
Length:
4,026mm (13ft 2.5in)
Width:
1,630mm (5ft 4in)
Height:
978mm (3ft 2.5in)
Wheel Base:
2,290mm (7ft 6in)

Related:
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1957): https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/ferrari-250-testarossa-le-mans-1957.298844/#post-9236659
Maserati 450S (1956-1962): https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/maserati-450s-1956-1962.302760/#post-9332827

 

[NART512]

 

[Sick Cylinder]

Hi Nart - I thought the moderators were going to combine the threads, but as not and in the hope of regaining those lost votes I'll add my information to your thread.

I think it's worth editing your thread titles so that the year comes after make and model, as per the thread guidelines so that we don't get more double postings.

Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby won the 1959 le Mans race driving the Aston Martin DBR1 and soon after Carroll announced his retirement from racing - revealing that he had been racing with a heart condition for which he had been taking medication!

This car is so historic and so beautiful that together with the D Type Jaguar, Ferrari Testa Rossa and Merc 300SLR it really has to be in the game.

Astons on the grid at Le Mans.

Picture below shows the winning Aston in 1959.

The 1956 Aston had a smaller, less powerful engine and retired from the race. The DBR1's also retired from the race in 1957 and 1958. Things came good for Aston and the DBR1 in 1959 when they won the world sports car championship and Le Mans. Stirling Moss set a fast pace, but retired - it was probably due to their attempts to match Moss that the Factory Ferraris retired.

Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby finished 1st with Paul Frere and Maurice Trintignant 2nd in the other DBR1. The third placed car, a privateer Ferrari finished 25 laps behind!


In the following clip (a youngish) Stirling Moss gives more information on the DBR1 and some of its contemporaries. Turn up the volume - the sound is fabulous.

 

[Dr P Grunfelde]

Aston Martin DBR1 - brief clip of museum demonstration run. This particular car was driven by Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and Jim Clark.

 

[mook]

Highlights of the 1959 Le Mans race - well worth watching not just for the Aston Martin DBR1's, but also shots of the Triumph TR2, Lotus Elite, AC and Ferraris.

 

[Sergio Perez]

I think this is quite possibly the best Aston Martin of all time.