Aston Martin DP212
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin DP212 was a prototype sports car
developed by Aston Martin
for use in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
.
The car was built on the chassis of a DB4GT
, but featured longer bodywork specifically designed to handle the high speeds of Le Mans. It also featured a 4.0 litre Inline-6 cylinder engine, based on the DB4GT's 3.7 litre Tadek Marek
unit. Following its participation at Le Mans, the car was slightly modified to feature a Kamm tail
design, which would later be used on the Aston Martin DB6
.
, at the hands of Graham Hill
and Richie Ginther
the DP212 showed great speed, snatching the lead briefly at the start with Graham Hill
driving, coming round at the end of the first lap clear of the field. It then held second place for a while, until delayed by an armature failure. It dropped down the order to retire from 9th place, in the sixth hour (after 79 laps) with a number 6 piston failure, caused when an oil pump pipe fractured. The car however, was having high-end stability problems and could not cope with the high speeds at Le Mans.
Soon after, the car went under wind tunnel tests at M.I.R.A. (Motor Industry Research Association
) at Nuneaton, and a rear spoiler was devised. After development the car would return once more, in testing for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans
, featuring its new Kamm tail, which had been developed to cope with the high speeds. The car practiced for the race, driven by Lucien Bianchi
, Jo Schlesser
, Richie Ginther
and Bill Kimberley but the car would not compete. Its place would be taken by the newer DP214
and DP215
, which effectively replaced DP212.
), and Mike Salmon.
, and once at Castle Combe
, all with Salmon at the wheel. Salmon also won the Classic Car Championship in 1974; with five class wins, one overall win and two second places. In 1975 Mike Ottway acquired the car, however Mike Salmon still continued to race the car.
From 1975 to 1979 the car won many races, most significantly at Silverstone
, with one first place overall (1975), two first in class results (1977/78) and a third in class (1976). The car also won many times at Brands Hatch
, with a first and second overall in 1977 and 1976 respectively and two first places (1977/78). The car also recorded a 2nd place, in the Group 4 historic Race at the Houbigant meeting at Brands Hatch
on 15 May, 1977. When Salmon and DP212 demonstrated a wet weather sure footedness not matched by the later Ford GT40
s and Chevron B8s (amongst others) it was up against, being beaten only by a Lola T70. The last significant result of the car in the late 1970s was a second place in class at F.O.C. Goodwood
in 1978.
, a fifth place at Silverstone
and a significant win, against an all Aston Martin
s field in Dubai
again in 1981.
Coys meeting, with the car returning to the meeting in 1999 in the pre '64 GT race. Where the car, driven by Mike Salmon and Gary Pearson
, was in second place in 'Part 1' of the event. But during the first lap of 'Part 2', after taking the lead the car retired with Pearson at the wheel.
In 1997 Lord Downe entered DP212 in a Concours event at Pebble Beach, Concours d'Elegance in California.
In 1998 the car took part in the first R.A.C. TT Revival race at Goodwood
, however it retired when in 2nd place. The car came back to the Goodwood
TT Revival in 1999, with the car put on pole by Martin Brundle
in a time of 1.27.635 (not bettered until 2006 after track had been resurfaced) but then crashed in practice by Pearson and therefore did not start (DNS). The crash heavily damaging the front end.
Once the rebuild was completed the car has been raced many times at the Goodwood TT Revival event 1 hour races. In 2000 DP212 finished in fifth place with drivers of Tony Dron and Tiff Needell
. Averaging 93.24 mi/h, which was only 1.52 mi/h benind Carroll Shelby
's special Cobra Daytona. The car competed again in the 1 hour TT event in 2001.
In 2002 its present owner Wolfgang Friedrichs bought the car. He carried on Goodwood Revival trend, competing in the R.A.C. TT event in 2002, finishing 12th, with drivers of Friedrichs and David Clark. Friedrichs and Clark again competed in the same event in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Finishing, with one DNF (2004) and two 10th place results in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Friedrichs and Clark have recently returned to and competed in the Goodwood Revival
Tourist Trophy (TT) in September 2009, finishing 9th overall, completing 39 laps with in the hour of racing. DP212 recorded an average speed of 91.39 mi/h, with their fastest lap being 1m 31.083s on lap 18.
Although, being the oldest of the Project cars, and therefore potentially the slowest, this car has been maintained for racing consistently for most of its life and should be capable of winning the Revival TT in the right hands. The Brundle/Pearson team in 1999 was its best chance to date.
Only a single DP212 would be built, and would only be raced once by the Aston Martin
Factory, but has since been the most actively campaigned of the surviving 'project cars'.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
developed 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...
for use in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 30th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 23 and 24 1962. It was also the eighth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
.
The car was built on the chassis of a DB4GT
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....
, but featured longer bodywork specifically designed to handle the high speeds of Le Mans. It also featured a 4.0 litre Inline-6 cylinder engine, based on the DB4GT's 3.7 litre Tadek Marek
Tadek Marek
Tadeusz "Tadek" Marek was a Polish automobile engineer, known for his Aston Martin engines.Marek was from Krakow.He raced and won with a Chevrolet Master sedan in the XII Rally Poland before moving to Great Britain...
unit. Following its participation at Le Mans, the car was slightly modified to feature a Kamm tail
Kammback
A Kammback is a car body style that derives from the research of the German aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm in the 1930s. The design calls for a body with smooth contours that continues to a tail that is abruptly cut off. This shape reduces the drag of the vehicle."Kammback" is an American term...
design, which would later be used on the Aston Martin DB6
Aston Martin DB6
The Aston Martin DB6 is a grand tourer made by British car manufacturer Aston Martin. Produced from September 1965 to January 1971, the DB6 had the longest production run up to that date of any Aston Martin model...
.
Le Mans 24 Hour
At the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans1962 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 30th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 23 and 24 1962. It was also the eighth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
, at the hands of Graham Hill
Graham Hill
Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...
and Richie Ginther
Richie Ginther
Paul Richard "Richie" Ginther was a racecar driver from the United States. During a varied career, the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix saw Ginther take Honda's first Grand Prix victory, a victory which would also prove to be Ginther's only win in Formula One...
the DP212 showed great speed, snatching the lead briefly at the start with Graham Hill
Graham Hill
Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...
driving, coming round at the end of the first lap clear of the field. It then held second place for a while, until delayed by an armature failure. It dropped down the order to retire from 9th place, in the sixth hour (after 79 laps) with a number 6 piston failure, caused when an oil pump pipe fractured. The car however, was having high-end stability problems and could not cope with the high speeds at Le Mans.
Soon after, the car went under wind tunnel tests at M.I.R.A. (Motor Industry Research Association
Motor Industry Research Association
MIRA Ltd, formerly known as the Motor Industry Research Association, is a limited company based near Nuneaton in Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire in the United Kingdom, which provides product engineering, research, testing, information and certification services to the automotive...
) at Nuneaton, and a rear spoiler was devised. After development the car would return once more, in testing for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans
1963 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 31st Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 15 and 16 1963. It was also the tenth round of the World Sportscar Championship....
, featuring its new Kamm tail, which had been developed to cope with the high speeds. The car practiced for the race, driven by Lucien Bianchi
Lucien Bianchi
Lucien Bianchi , born Luciano Bianchi, was a Belgian racing driver who raced for the Cooper, ENB, UDT Laystall and Scuderia Centro Sud teams in Formula One...
, Jo Schlesser
Jo Schlesser
Joseph Schlesser was a Formula One and sports car racing driver from France. He participated in three World Championship Grands Prix, including the 1968 French Grand Prix in which he was killed...
, Richie Ginther
Richie Ginther
Paul Richard "Richie" Ginther was a racecar driver from the United States. During a varied career, the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix saw Ginther take Honda's first Grand Prix victory, a victory which would also prove to be Ginther's only win in Formula One...
and Bill Kimberley but the car would not compete. Its place would be taken by the newer DP214
Aston Martin DP214
The Aston Martin DP214 was a prototype sports car developed by Aston Martin for use in grand touring-style racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two DP214s were built in 1963, with one surviving today....
and DP215
Aston Martin DP215
The Aston Martin DP215 was a prototype sports car built by Aston Martin for grand touring-style racing in 1963. It was built alongside the similar DP214, both of which replaced the previous DP212...
, which effectively replaced DP212.
After Le Mans 24 Hour
In 1964 DP212 was rebuilt and converted into a road car with registration 'AYN 212B'. The factory fitted the car with a 4,164 cc engine with 98 mm (3.9 in) bore, giving 349 bhp at 6,000 rpm. DP212 was entered in a few minor speed and sprint events, driven by Hon. John Dawnay (later Viscount DowneViscount Downe
Viscount Downe is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1675 for William Ducie. However, the title became extinct on his death in 1679. The second creation came in 1680 for John Dawnay. He had earlier represented Yorkshire and Pontefract in the...
), and Mike Salmon.
During the 1970s
Aston Martin DP212 had many successful races during 1970s at the hands of Mike Salmon. In 1973 the project car returned to motor racing and won twice at SilverstoneSilverstone
Silverstone is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is about from Towcester on the former A43 main road, from the M1 motorway junction 15A and about from the M40 motorway junction 10, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Banbury...
, and once at Castle Combe
Castle Combe
Castle Combe is a small village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. It is renowned for its attractiveness and tranquillity, and for fine buildings including the medieval church. The 14th century market cross, erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was...
, all with Salmon at the wheel. Salmon also won the Classic Car Championship in 1974; with five class wins, one overall win and two second places. In 1975 Mike Ottway acquired the car, however Mike Salmon still continued to race the car.
From 1975 to 1979 the car won many races, most significantly at Silverstone
Silverstone
Silverstone is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is about from Towcester on the former A43 main road, from the M1 motorway junction 15A and about from the M40 motorway junction 10, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Banbury...
, with one first place overall (1975), two first in class results (1977/78) and a third in class (1976). The car also won many times at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
, with a first and second overall in 1977 and 1976 respectively and two first places (1977/78). The car also recorded a 2nd place, in the Group 4 historic Race at the Houbigant meeting at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
on 15 May, 1977. When Salmon and DP212 demonstrated a wet weather sure footedness not matched by the later Ford GT40
Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 was a high performance sports car and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969...
s and Chevron B8s (amongst others) it was up against, being beaten only by a Lola T70. The last significant result of the car in the late 1970s was a second place in class at F.O.C. 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...
in 1978.
During the 1980s
In 1981 Mike Salmon won first in class at Brands HatchBrands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
, a fifth place at Silverstone
Silverstone
Silverstone is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is about from Towcester on the former A43 main road, from the M1 motorway junction 15A and about from the M40 motorway junction 10, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Banbury...
and a significant win, against an all 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...
s field in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
again in 1981.
During the 1990s
It is believed the registration (which it still holds today) of '212 DP' was acquired in the early 1990s. In 1995 DP212 appeared as a static exhibit at the SilverstoneSilverstone
Silverstone is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is about from Towcester on the former A43 main road, from the M1 motorway junction 15A and about from the M40 motorway junction 10, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Banbury...
Coys meeting, with the car returning to the meeting in 1999 in the pre '64 GT race. Where the car, driven by Mike Salmon and Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson is a Canadian comedian, and television writer producer. He grew up in the southwestern Ontario village of Comber. Taking an early interest in politics and art, he began to do editorial cartoons for the nearby weekly newspaper The Tilbury Times.He attended Sheridan College's...
, was in second place in 'Part 1' of the event. But during the first lap of 'Part 2', after taking the lead the car retired with Pearson at the wheel.
In 1997 Lord Downe entered DP212 in a Concours event at Pebble Beach, Concours d'Elegance in California.
In 1998 the car took part in the first R.A.C. TT Revival race 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...
, however it retired when in 2nd place. The car came back to the Goodwood
Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is a three-day festival held each September since 1998 for the types of road racing cars and motorcycle that would have competed during the circuit's original period—1948-1966. It is one of the world’s most popular motor race meetings and the only UK event which recreates the...
TT Revival in 1999, with the car put on pole by Martin Brundle
Martin Brundle
Martin John Brundle is a British racing driver from England, known as a Formula One driver and as an F1 commentator for ITV Sport from 1997 to 2008, the BBC from 2009 to 2011 and Sky Sports from 2012....
in a time of 1.27.635 (not bettered until 2006 after track had been resurfaced) but then crashed in practice by Pearson and therefore did not start (DNS). The crash heavily damaging the front end.
During the 2000s
In 2000 the car went under a major rebuild due to the crash at Goodwood in 1999, and the car was acquired by Nicolaus Springer. During the restoration, the car was stripped and thoroughly checked. However there was no chassis damaged, but needed major panelwork repair. Richard Williams asked Lawrence Kett of G&A fabrications to perform the restoration of the body shell. The repair was difficult as the car was not symmetrical, having been built by hand and already showing signs of previous, unrecorded body damage. It was also noted that the shell was becoming very brittle, being made of thin alloy and being over 40 years old. To add to that, the rear offside wing had been made from a different material, so may have already had some restoration completed on the shell. The restorers retained as much of the original bodywork as possible, reworking it if necessary. They worked from large blown up photographs to set about creating the old shape, complete with the original inaccuracies, asymmetrical dimensions and distortions. The restored car, seen today, was assembled and rebuilt by the R S Williams team.Once the rebuild was completed the car has been raced many times at the Goodwood TT Revival event 1 hour races. In 2000 DP212 finished in fifth place with drivers of Tony Dron and Tiff Needell
Tiff Needell
Timothy "Tiff" Needell isa British racing driver and television presenter. He is best known as a former co-presenter of Top Gear and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear.-Biography:...
. Averaging 93.24 mi/h, which was only 1.52 mi/h benind 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...
's special Cobra Daytona. The car competed again in the 1 hour TT event in 2001.
In 2002 its present owner Wolfgang Friedrichs bought the car. He carried on Goodwood Revival trend, competing in the R.A.C. TT event in 2002, finishing 12th, with drivers of Friedrichs and David Clark. Friedrichs and Clark again competed in the same event in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Finishing, with one DNF (2004) and two 10th place results in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Friedrichs and Clark have recently returned to and competed in the Goodwood Revival
Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is a three-day festival held each September since 1998 for the types of road racing cars and motorcycle that would have competed during the circuit's original period—1948-1966. It is one of the world’s most popular motor race meetings and the only UK event which recreates the...
Tourist Trophy (TT) in September 2009, finishing 9th overall, completing 39 laps with in the hour of racing. DP212 recorded an average speed of 91.39 mi/h, with their fastest lap being 1m 31.083s on lap 18.
Although, being the oldest of the Project cars, and therefore potentially the slowest, this car has been maintained for racing consistently for most of its life and should be capable of winning the Revival TT in the right hands. The Brundle/Pearson team in 1999 was its best chance to date.
Only a single DP212 would be built, and would only be raced once by the 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...
Factory, but has since been the most actively campaigned of the surviving 'project cars'.
External links
- AstonMartins.com - DP212
- Ten-Tenths.com - DP212