Aston Martin DBR1
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin DBR1 was a sports
racing car built by Aston Martin
starting in 1956, intended for the World Sportscar Championship
as well as non-championship sportscar races at the time. It is most famous as the victor of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
, one of only two wins to date for Aston Martin at the endurance classic.
. Therefore, with the ability to create a sportscar from a clean slate for 1956, Aston Martin
created the DBR1, with Ted Cutting as chief designer. The body evolved from the DB3S's shape, featuring a much lower profile. Most notable was that the back of the front wheel well was no longer left open. Instead, the DBR1 featured full bodywork with a large triangular vent on the side, a design trait which would become standard on all future Aston Martins.
The DBR1 was initially fitted with a smaller 2.5L (2493 cc) new all alloy racing engine (RB6.250) very loosely derived from the racing version of the Lagonda Straight-6 engine
, even though the DBR1's predecessor, the DB3S, was at the time racing with a larger 2.9L (2922 cc) engine. Later DBR1s would feature the RB6.300 Straight-6 (2992 cc), rated at 250 hp.
, David Brown
's Aston Martin racing team set out with the 2.5L DBR1/1 alongside two older 2.9L DB3Ss. Although performing well through most of the race, the DBR1 suffered gearbox failure after 246 laps, forcing drivers Reg Parnell and Tony Brooks to retire.
as well as various non-championship races, DBR1/1 recorded its first finish, with a 2nd place for Roy Salvadori
at the British Empire Trophy, followed by another 2nd place at the Goodwood Circuit
's Sussex Trophy. DBR1/1 was then upgraded with the newer 3.0L engine, and joined by the identical DBR1/2. Together at the Spa
Sportscar Race, Aston Martin took the top two spots, with Tony Brooks
winning over Roy Salvadori
. At the fourth round of the World Sportscar Championship
, the 1000km Nürburgring
, DBR1/2 took an overall victory at the hands of Tony Brooks and Noël Cunningham-Reid, earning Aston Martin its own championship points that season. Roy Salvadori and Les Leston
would finish 6th in the same race. Unfortunately, at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
, both DBR1s failed to finish. DBR1/2 would take the only other victory of the season at the non-championship Spa Grand Prix.
For 1958, DBR1/3 was completed and began to compete. David Brown
chose to concentrate on the World Sportscar Championship exclusively, leaving the DBR2
for non-championship races. The team did not enter the opening round in Buenos Aires, choosing instead to race at the following round, the 12 Hours of Sebring
. Neither DBR1 managed to finish, both suffering gearbox failure. This was followed at the Targa Florio
, with the new DBR1/3 also suffering a gearbox failure and not finishing. At the 1000km Nürburgring
, where the DBR1 had won the previous year, Aston Martin managed to repeat, with Stirling Moss
and Jack Brabham
's DBR1/3 beating a large contingent of Ferrari
s and Porsche
s. Unfortunately the bad luck returned at Le Mans, with all three DBR1s failing to finish again. However, at the season ending Tourist Trophy
, Aston Martin managed a 1-2-3 finish for all cars, with Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks driving the winning car. This dominating victory allowed Aston Martin to finish 2nd in the constructor's championship behind Ferrari
.
, while DBR1/5 was a spare chassis sold to privateer Graham Whitehead
, the only car to do so. With four chassis, Aston Martin would again concentrate on the World Sportscar Championship. The season started slowly, with a sole DBR1 failing to finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring
, then followed by the team not appearing at the Targa Florio
. Luck returned again for Aston Martin, as the sole factory entry again won the 1000km Nürburgring
, with Stirling Moss
and Jack Fairman
driving. However, Aston Martin's success would continue with what is considered their finest motorsports triumph. DBR1/2, driven by Carroll Shelby
and Roy Salvadori
, took victory at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
. DBR1/4, driven by Maurice Trintignant
and Paul Frére
, managed second. The next closest competitor was a distant 25 laps behind the duo.
With the constructors championship now closely contested by Ferrari
and Aston Martin, the team appeared at the final round at Goodwood
. Aston Martin entered three DBR1s, as well as privateer Graham Whitehead
's DBR1/5. During the race, DBR1/3 caught fire in the pits, destroying the car and leaving Aston Martin without room to refuel their other cars. To salvage Aston Martin's hopes of a championship, Graham Whitehead withdrew his entry from the race in order to allow Aston Martin to use his pits stall and finish the race. Able to continue, Stirling Moss
, Carroll Shelby
and Jack Fairman
in DBR1/2 were able to secure victory and the championship over Ferrari, the only World Championship won by Aston Martin.
decided to make an unsuccessful move to Formula One
with the DBR4
and DBR5
. Thus the factory's David Brown Racing Department would no longer compete in sportscars. The four DBR1s retained by the factory, including the rebuilt DBR1/3, were sold off to customers for use in various championships. DBR1/2 would be the only car to score a win in privateer hands, winning the 1960 Rouen Grand Prix. Following the 1962 season, all DBR1s would retire from racing and eventually end up in museums or private collections.
DBR1/4 is notable for having appeared in the 1960 film adaptation of The Sound and the Fury
.
Included are a list of victories by each chassis.
, and given the chassis number DBR3/1. The car was different in that it used Aston Martin's newly designed 3.7L (3670cc) Straight-6 from the Aston Martin DB4
, destroked to 3.0L (2990cc). The car was used in only a single race in 1958 before it was deemed uncompetitive. DBR3/1 was thus given a normal Lagonda Straight-6 and rechristened as DBR1/4.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
racing car built by Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
starting in 1956, intended for the World Sportscar Championship
World Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
as well as non-championship sportscar races at the time. It is most famous as the victor of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 27th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 20 and 21 1959. It was also the fourth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Not Classified:...
, one of only two wins to date for Aston Martin at the endurance classic.
Design
Following changes to the rules for sportscar racing, entrants no longer had to use cars which were road legal, or based on road legal cars, such as the Aston Martin DB3SAston Martin DB3S
The Aston Martin DB3S was a sports racing car built by Aston Martin as a replacement for the heavy and uncompetitive Aston Martin DB3. In total 31 cars were made, with 11 works cars and 20 cars being sold for customer use. The DB3S was introduced in 1953 and it proved somewhat more successful than...
. Therefore, with the ability to create a sportscar from a clean slate for 1956, Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
created the DBR1, with Ted Cutting as chief designer. The body evolved from the DB3S's shape, featuring a much lower profile. Most notable was that the back of the front wheel well was no longer left open. Instead, the DBR1 featured full bodywork with a large triangular vent on the side, a design trait which would become standard on all future Aston Martins.
The DBR1 was initially fitted with a smaller 2.5L (2493 cc) new all alloy racing engine (RB6.250) very loosely derived from the racing version of the Lagonda Straight-6 engine
Lagonda Straight-6 engine
The Lagonda Straight-6 is a famous automobile engine used by Aston Martin and Lagonda marques in the 1950s. Designed by Walter Owen Bentley of Bentley Motors Limited, it vaulted Aston Martin to fame as a maker of desirable sports and racing cars.-History:...
, even though the DBR1's predecessor, the DB3S, was at the time racing with a larger 2.9L (2922 cc) engine. Later DBR1s would feature the RB6.300 Straight-6 (2992 cc), rated at 250 hp.
1956
Debuting at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans1956 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 24th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 28 and 29 1956.Following the events of 1955, the front stretch and pit lane were redesigned in order to enhance driver and spectator safety...
, David Brown
David Brown (entrepreneur)
Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
's Aston Martin racing team set out with the 2.5L DBR1/1 alongside two older 2.9L DB3Ss. Although performing well through most of the race, the DBR1 suffered gearbox failure after 246 laps, forcing drivers Reg Parnell and Tony Brooks to retire.
1957
Making a full debut in the 1957 World Sportscar Championship season1957 World Sportscar Championship season
The 1957 World Sportscar Championship season was the 5th season of the FIA World Sportscar Championship. It was a series for sportscars that ran in many worldwide endurance events. It ran from January 20, 1957 to November 3, 1957, and was composed of seven races.-Schedule:-Season results:Points...
as well as various non-championship races, DBR1/1 recorded its first finish, with a 2nd place for Roy Salvadori
Roy Salvadori
Roy Francesco Salvadori is a former motor racing driver and manager from England. He participated in 50 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 12 July 1952, and achieved two podiums, scoring a total of 19 Championship points.During a varied career he also won the 24 Hours of Le...
at the British Empire Trophy, followed by another 2nd place at the Goodwood Circuit
Goodwood Circuit
Goodwood Circuit is an historic venue for both two- and four-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. The 2.4 mile circuit is situated near Chichester, West Sussex, close to the south coast of England, on the estate of Goodwood House, and completely encircles Chichester/Goodwood Airport...
's Sussex Trophy. DBR1/1 was then upgraded with the newer 3.0L engine, and joined by the identical DBR1/2. Together at the Spa
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
Sportscar Race, Aston Martin took the top two spots, with Tony Brooks
Tony Brooks
Charles Anthony Standish Brooks is a British former racing driver from England also known as the "racing dentist"...
winning over Roy Salvadori
Roy Salvadori
Roy Francesco Salvadori is a former motor racing driver and manager from England. He participated in 50 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 12 July 1952, and achieved two podiums, scoring a total of 19 Championship points.During a varied career he also won the 24 Hours of Le...
. At the fourth round of the World Sportscar Championship
World Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
, the 1000km Nürburgring
1000km Nürburgring
The ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring is an endurance race for sports cars held on the Nürburgring in Germany and organized by the ADAC since 1953.- History :...
, DBR1/2 took an overall victory at the hands of Tony Brooks and Noël Cunningham-Reid, earning Aston Martin its own championship points that season. Roy Salvadori and Les Leston
Les Leston
Alfred Lazarus Fingleston , better known as Les Leston, is a British former racing driver from England. Les started racing in a Jaguar SS100 before acquiring a Cooper and his own Leston Special. He become a Cooper works driver in 1954 and took the national Formula 3 championship in the same year...
would finish 6th in the same race. Unfortunately, at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 25th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 22 and 23 1957. It was also the fifth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
, both DBR1s failed to finish. DBR1/2 would take the only other victory of the season at the non-championship Spa Grand Prix.
1958
David Brown (entrepreneur)
Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
chose to concentrate on the World Sportscar Championship exclusively, leaving the DBR2
Aston Martin DBR2
The Aston Martin DBR2 was a sports racing car built in 1957 as a sibling to the Aston Martin DBR1, yet competing in a larger engine capacity group.-Development:...
for non-championship races. The team did not enter the opening round in Buenos Aires, choosing instead to race at the following round, the 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
. Neither DBR1 managed to finish, both suffering gearbox failure. This was followed at the Targa Florio
Targa Florio
The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it was the oldest sports car racing event, part of the World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1973...
, with the new DBR1/3 also suffering a gearbox failure and not finishing. At the 1000km Nürburgring
1000km Nürburgring
The ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring is an endurance race for sports cars held on the Nürburgring in Germany and organized by the ADAC since 1953.- History :...
, where the DBR1 had won the previous year, Aston Martin managed to repeat, with Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
and Jack Brabham
Jack Brabham
Sir John Arthur "Jack" Brabham, AO, OBE is an Australian former racing driver who was Formula One champion in , and . He was a founder of the Brabham racing team and race car constructor that bore his name....
's DBR1/3 beating a large contingent of Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
s and Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
s. Unfortunately the bad luck returned at Le Mans, with all three DBR1s failing to finish again. However, at the season ending Tourist Trophy
RAC Tourist Trophy
The International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
, Aston Martin managed a 1-2-3 finish for all cars, with Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks driving the winning car. This dominating victory allowed Aston Martin to finish 2nd in the constructor's championship behind Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
.
1959
Returning again for 1959, Aston Martin had completed two more chassis, DBR1/4 and DBR1/5. The first car was actually a conversion from a DBR3Aston Martin DBR3
The Aston Martin DBR3 was a sports racing car built in 1958 as an alternative to the DBR1, using a different engine and front end setup. The car was very short lived and eventually converted into a DBR1.-Design:...
, while DBR1/5 was a spare chassis sold to privateer Graham Whitehead
Graham Whitehead
Graham Whitehead was a British racing driver from England. He participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, on July 19, 1952. He finished 12th, scoring no championship points...
, the only car to do so. With four chassis, Aston Martin would again concentrate on the World Sportscar Championship. The season started slowly, with a sole DBR1 failing to finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...
, then followed by the team not appearing at the Targa Florio
Targa Florio
The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it was the oldest sports car racing event, part of the World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1973...
. Luck returned again for Aston Martin, as the sole factory entry again won the 1000km Nürburgring
1000km Nürburgring
The ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring is an endurance race for sports cars held on the Nürburgring in Germany and organized by the ADAC since 1953.- History :...
, with Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
and Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman was a British racing driver from England. He participated in 13 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 18 July 1953...
driving. However, Aston Martin's success would continue with what is considered their finest motorsports triumph. DBR1/2, driven by Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
and Roy Salvadori
Roy Salvadori
Roy Francesco Salvadori is a former motor racing driver and manager from England. He participated in 50 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 12 July 1952, and achieved two podiums, scoring a total of 19 Championship points.During a varied career he also won the 24 Hours of Le...
, took victory at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 27th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 20 and 21 1959. It was also the fourth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Not Classified:...
. DBR1/4, driven by Maurice Trintignant
Maurice Trintignant
Maurice Bienvenu Jean Paul Trintignant was a motor racing driver and vintner from France. He competed in the Formula One World Championship for fourteen years, between 1950 and 1964, one of the longest careers in the early years of F1...
and Paul Frére
Paul Frère
Paul Frère was a racing driver and journalist from Belgium, born in Le Havre . He participated in eleven World Championship Formula One Grands Prix debuting on 22 June 1952 and achieving one podium finish with a total of eleven championship points...
, managed second. The next closest competitor was a distant 25 laps behind the duo.
With the constructors championship now closely contested by Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
and Aston Martin, the team appeared at the final round at Goodwood
Goodwood Circuit
Goodwood Circuit is an historic venue for both two- and four-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. The 2.4 mile circuit is situated near Chichester, West Sussex, close to the south coast of England, on the estate of Goodwood House, and completely encircles Chichester/Goodwood Airport...
. Aston Martin entered three DBR1s, as well as privateer Graham Whitehead
Graham Whitehead
Graham Whitehead was a British racing driver from England. He participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, on July 19, 1952. He finished 12th, scoring no championship points...
's DBR1/5. During the race, DBR1/3 caught fire in the pits, destroying the car and leaving Aston Martin without room to refuel their other cars. To salvage Aston Martin's hopes of a championship, Graham Whitehead withdrew his entry from the race in order to allow Aston Martin to use his pits stall and finish the race. Able to continue, Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
, Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
and Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman was a British racing driver from England. He participated in 13 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 18 July 1953...
in DBR1/2 were able to secure victory and the championship over Ferrari, the only World Championship won by Aston Martin.
Privateers
Following Aston Martin's success in 1959, David BrownDavid Brown (entrepreneur)
Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
decided to make an unsuccessful move to Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
with the DBR4
Aston Martin DBR4
The Aston Martin DBR4/250, commonly referred to simply as the DBR4, is a Formula One racing car, designed by Ted Cutting for the sports car manufacturer Aston Martin...
and DBR5
Aston Martin DBR5
The Aston Martin DBR5 was a Formula One racing car, designed by the sports car manufacturer Aston Martin. Following the poor results of the Aston Martin DBR4 in the 1959 Formula One season the lighter and smaller DBR5 was intended to be quicker than its predecessor...
. Thus the factory's David Brown Racing Department would no longer compete in sportscars. The four DBR1s retained by the factory, including the rebuilt DBR1/3, were sold off to customers for use in various championships. DBR1/2 would be the only car to score a win in privateer hands, winning the 1960 Rouen Grand Prix. Following the 1962 season, all DBR1s would retire from racing and eventually end up in museums or private collections.
DBR1/4 is notable for having appeared in the 1960 film adaptation of The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury is a novel written by the American author William Faulkner. It employs a number of narrative styles, including the technique known as stream of consciousness, pioneered by 20th century European novelists such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. Published in 1929, The Sound and...
.
Chassis
- DBR1/1 - Completed 1956
- 1959 1000km Nürburgring
- DBR1/2 - Completed 1957
- 1957 Spa Sportscar Race
- 1957 1000km Nürburgring
- 1957 Spa Grand Prix
- 1958 Goodwood Tourist Trophy
- 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans
- 1959 Goodwood Tourist Trophy
- 1960 Rouen Grand Prix (as a privateer)
- DBR1/3 - Completed 1958
- 1958 1000km Nürburgring
- DBR1/4 - Completed 1959 (conversion from DBR3/1)
- None
- DBR1/5 - Completed 1959
- None
DBR3
Aston Martin used a chassis initially meant for the DBR1 to construct a car known as DBR3Aston Martin DBR3
The Aston Martin DBR3 was a sports racing car built in 1958 as an alternative to the DBR1, using a different engine and front end setup. The car was very short lived and eventually converted into a DBR1.-Design:...
, and given the chassis number DBR3/1. The car was different in that it used Aston Martin's newly designed 3.7L (3670cc) Straight-6 from the Aston Martin DB4
Aston Martin DB4
The DB4 is a sports car sold by Aston Martin from 1958 until 1963. It was an entirely different car from the DB Mark III it replaced, though the 3.7 L engine was externally visually related to the 2.9 L unit found in that car....
, destroked to 3.0L (2990cc). The car was used in only a single race in 1958 before it was deemed uncompetitive. DBR3/1 was thus given a normal Lagonda Straight-6 and rechristened as DBR1/4.