Aston Martin DP214
Encyclopedia
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.
Just like its predecessor, the DP212
, to comply with GT regulations, the DP214 was based on DB4GT
chassis, numbers #0194/R and #0195/R. The body was completely redesigned, using elements from the DP212
such as the Kamm tail
rear end. The bodywork would be wider than the DP212
though, and the nose would be a completely new design. The DP214 would also use a production Tadek Marek
3.7 litre Inline-6, (bored to 3750 cc from 3670 cc) unlike the DP212
's larger 4.0 litre engine.
, the DP214s would be used in races other than Le Mans. The DP214 would make its debut with DP215
at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans
, Bill Kimberley and Jo Schlesser
in 0194 and Bruce McLaren and Innes Ireland in 0195. During practice recording, DP214 set an unofficial time of 3m 58.7s and an official time of 4m 00s, with Ireland recording 300 kilometre per hour down the Mulsanne
straight.
The race plan was for 0194 and 0195 to lap at 4m 15s. On lap 28 McLaren in 0195 pitted when leading the GT class and 10th overall. Ireland took over 0195 and took it up to 6th overall but during his stint a piston failed down the Mulsanne
straight on lap 60 (4h 06m) and forced them to retire, which was a result similar to that of DP212
in 1962.
DP214 0194 had to stop on lap three to unblock a main jet, but had more luck during the race, reaching 5th overall in 110 laps (nearly 8 hours). By 10 hours Kimberley and Schlesser were lying 3rd overall and leading the GT class, however they suffered the same fate as McLaren and Ireland, with a piston
failure. That was Aston Martin's last Le Mans of the era. The piston failure was caused by inadequate strength around the underside of the gudgeon-pin boss.
John Wyer
records that both cars (as well as DP215
) were capable of winning at the Le Mans that year, but their preparation left insufficient time to have forged pistons manufactured so they made do with cast pistons; it was these that failed in the race. Perhaps, another missed opportunity for Aston Martin
.
, a lone DP214, driven by Innes Ireland would manage to finish in sixth place overall, and second in class. With the second DP214 (0195) retiring, after spinning off (Kimberley). This was followed by a seventh place finish and fourth in class in the TT at Goodwood
for 0194, with 0195, driven by McLaren retiring after 95 laps with a valve failure. The two cars were certainly capable of winning the TT at Goodwood
in the hands of Innes Ireland
and Bruce McLaren, but unfortunately they fell foul of the RAC Scrutineer (Procter). He refused to allow the cars to run with the 6.5" inch rims that they had run at Le Mans, because they had not been homologated, even though by then the production cars were fitted with them as standard. As it was, they were required to race with 5.5" inch rims, which actually narrowed the track by 4" inches and ruined their handling. They had never run with these narrow rims in the first place, and were never to do so again. An angry Innes Ireland spent the whole race going luridly sideways in the car which he had originally put on pole.
Next was a victory at the Inter-Europa Cup at Monza
driven by Salvadori
, setting a new GT lap record, with an average speed of 120.23 mi/h. This race also saw the second DP214 (0195, driven by Bianchi)) take 3rd (119 mi/h, average speed). The next two rounds at Monthéry
would see the DP214s take victory (0194, driven by Claude Le Guezec) and second place (Dewez) in the first race. The second race would also see a DP214 victorious again, this time with 0195 winning (Schlesser) and 0194 (Le Guezec) finishing in fifth.
Following the 1963 season, both DP214s were sold to John Dawnay's racing team for use throughout the international circuit. With 0195 later being sold to Brian Hetreed in 1964. Mike Salmon in 0194 and Hetreed in 0195 took both DP214's to Daytona 2000 km
. Salmon with co-driver Roy Salvadori
and Hetreed partnered by Chris Kerrison. Both had been up to 5th place during the race. But 0194 retired with value failure and 0195 slipped back to 17th when the gearbox started to seize.
At the International Trophy Silverstone
GT race, Salmon broke the GT record (with 0194) in practice with 1m 41.0s but spun in the wet on the first lap. But worked his way back up to take second place overall. Around the same time, Hetreed took DP214 0195 to the Wiscombe hill climb and set a best time.
Both cars then went to Spa 500 km, but both DP214's had engine troubles and neither finished.
Unfortunately, one of the DP214s (0195) was destroyed in an accident during practice at the Nürburgring 1000 km in 1964, killing driver Brian Hetreed. Hetreed crashe on his first practice lap, with the car rolling down a bank at 'Bergwerk' corner. The other lone DP214 finished out the season, moving onto Le Mans again. With Peter Sutcliffe
and Michael Salmon racing at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans
. At the end of the first lap DP214 was running in tenth place, dropping to eleventh after half an hour. Early evening pit stops had moved the car up to sixth overall, but again dropped, down to twelfth place. However after 17h 45m on Sunday morning they were disqualified due to replenishing the car's oil at the wrong time when lying 11th.
The remains of 0195 were returned to London from Germany and were comprehensively cut up and destroyed. With the engine being repaired and going into an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, with chassis number DB4GT/0200/R.
Martini meeting, with fastest lap of 1m 42.8s and 4th in class in the Guards Trophy despite a spin at Clearways.
In 1965 the sole remaining DP214 was bought by Tom Rose, who painted the car, a very dark blue, possibly black in colour. Rose registered the car with the registration number '5 NBP' (which it still holds today) and then competed the car in Aston Martin
events during the next year. Results including a win at Wiscombe Park and at the Belgian Day of Records (Jabbeke Speed Trial) Rose set a best time, with a top speed of 163.5 mi/h. Finally driven by Pye, the car competed at B.A.R.C. Goodwood
event, were Pye set a best time.
Colin Crabbe then acquired the car in 1965, with the car now showing flared wheel arches to accommodate wider wheels. In 1966 Crabbe raced the project car at the B.A.R.C. event at Oulton Park
and was victorious overall. Crabbe was then second overall in the Monte Cristo Trophy at the AMOC
St John Horsfall meeting at Silverstone
, second only to Ron Fry’s Ferrari 275 LM. Neil Corner also drove DP214 in 1966 and won overall at the Bentley
Drivers' Club (B.D.C.).
In 1967 at the Belgian day of Records, Crabbe won again, this time finishing first in class. The final event with Colin Crabbe owning the car, was with Neil Corner in the 'Emu Trohpy' at Aston Martin Owners Club
(AMOC) Silverstone
event.
engine as a spare. After this Nick Cussons raced the car regularly, but it is unclear whether Cussons owned the car during this time. In 1973 Cussons won first in class at Curborough, and was again first in class at the Jaguar Drivers' Club (JDC). Cussons was also first overall in the B.R.S.C.C. at Snetterton
, also in 1973. In its last outing of the era, Cussons was third in class at B.A.R.C at Thruxton
in 1974. During this period Nick Cussons also raced the car in his own Cussons Post-Historic Championship.
in 1994 in the Coy's Historic Festival. DP214 then raced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
in 1995, driven my Ian Mason. The car competed again at the Silverstone
Coy's meeting in 1995 and 1996 with Draper and Gary Pearson finishing second overall in 1995 (after being on pole in part one of the GT Race). With Draper and Mark Hales again finishing second in 1996 in the GT race.
In 1997, Simon Draper entered DP214 into the Concours d'Elegance
at Pebble Beach in California
.
In 1998 and 1999 Draper joined by David Clark entered the Coy's Historic Festival at Silverstone
again, finishing 13th (1998) and 9th (1999) in the pre '64 GT Race.
Again in 1998 and 1999 Draper and Clark competed the DP214 in the Goodwood Revival
Meeting R.A.C. Tourist Trophy Celebration Race. In 1998 they finished a very respectable fourth overall and finished 6th overall in 1999. Also at Goodwood in 1999, DP214 competed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed event, and Gillian Goldsmith finished first in class.
In 1999 the Aston Martin
featured in the Aston Martin Lagonda Limited official calendar.
The original DP214 will now be worth anything in excess of 7 figures, having being sold in 1993 for in excess of £1,000,000.
DP214s based on DB4 and DB4GT chassis. The first, initially claiming to be built up from some parts of the crashed 214/0195/R, was commissioned by American Ken Lawrence with a body built by Shapecraft, using the surviving DP214 as a template. Lawrence said he had found a cross member showing the correct chassis number, in Germany
, in late 1979. He also claimed he had found an engine of 0195 which had raced at Le Mans, but this engine was scrapped due to a large 3” inch hole in the block. The car had been built up with contemporary Aston Martin
parts, with a DB4GT engine (notably stamped 370/0195/GT), and gearbox. The body, which was crafted by Shapecraft, bears a fairly close resemblance to the original, but the similarities end there; there is no evidence that this car contains any significant authentic components. Therefore, this car is aptly deemed a modern recreation, which aesthetically shares a large resemblance to the original DP214.
This replica
is currently owned by Wolfgang Friedrichs (who also owns DP212
) and which has had a good record in the Spa 6 hour races, of two overall second places (2004 & 2006) and an overall victory in 2005.
The second car is much more recently built, being built for by Martin Brewer of Runnymede Motor Company, but the build was apparently started (according to the Aston Martin Owners Club
) alongside the aforementioned replica. It was built up using DB4/559/L as the basis. Completed in 2005, it was given the registration number ‘DSL 449’, but has since been re-registered as ‘5 BVY’ in order that it might closely resemble the surviving, original car: ‘5 NBP’. This car has appeared at the Le Mans Legends race on 16 June 2007.
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 grand touring
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
-style racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. Two DP214s were built in 1963, with one surviving today.
Just like its predecessor, the DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
, to comply with GT regulations, the DP214 was based on 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....
chassis, numbers #0194/R and #0195/R. The body was completely redesigned, using elements from the DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
such as the 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...
rear end. The bodywork would be wider than the DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
though, and the nose would be a completely new design. The DP214 would also use a production 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...
3.7 litre Inline-6, (bored to 3750 cc from 3670 cc) unlike the DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
's larger 4.0 litre engine.
Le Mans 24 Hour 1963
Unlike the DP212Aston Martin DP212
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...
, the DP214s would be used in races other than Le Mans. The DP214 would make its debut with 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...
at 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....
, Bill Kimberley and 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...
in 0194 and Bruce McLaren and Innes Ireland in 0195. During practice recording, DP214 set an unofficial time of 3m 58.7s and an official time of 4m 00s, with Ireland recording 300 kilometre per hour down the Mulsanne
Mulsanne
Mulsanne is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.-Motor racing:The Circuit de la Sarthe, which is used in the sports car endurance race 24 Hours of Le Mans, features the long straight Ligne Droite des Hunaudières leading to Mulsanne, making a...
straight.
The race plan was for 0194 and 0195 to lap at 4m 15s. On lap 28 McLaren in 0195 pitted when leading the GT class and 10th overall. Ireland took over 0195 and took it up to 6th overall but during his stint a piston failed down the Mulsanne
Mulsanne
Mulsanne is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.-Motor racing:The Circuit de la Sarthe, which is used in the sports car endurance race 24 Hours of Le Mans, features the long straight Ligne Droite des Hunaudières leading to Mulsanne, making a...
straight on lap 60 (4h 06m) and forced them to retire, which was a result similar to that of DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
in 1962.
DP214 0194 had to stop on lap three to unblock a main jet, but had more luck during the race, reaching 5th overall in 110 laps (nearly 8 hours). By 10 hours Kimberley and Schlesser were lying 3rd overall and leading the GT class, however they suffered the same fate as McLaren and Ireland, with a piston
Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
failure. That was Aston Martin's last Le Mans of the era. The piston failure was caused by inadequate strength around the underside of the gudgeon-pin boss.
John Wyer
John Wyer
John Wyer was an English automobile racing engineer and team manager. He is mainly associated with cars running in the lightblue and orange livery of his longtime sponsorship partner Gulf Oil.As team manager and team owner, Wyer won the 24 Hours of Le Mans several times...
records that both cars (as well as 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...
) were capable of winning at the Le Mans that year, but their preparation left insufficient time to have forged pistons manufactured so they made do with cast pistons; it was these that failed in the race. Perhaps, another missed opportunity for 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...
.
Le Mans 24 Hour 1964
Moving to the Guard's Trophy 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 lone DP214, driven by Innes Ireland would manage to finish in sixth place overall, and second in class. With the second DP214 (0195) retiring, after spinning off (Kimberley). This was followed by a seventh place finish and fourth in class in the TT 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...
for 0194, with 0195, driven by McLaren retiring after 95 laps with a valve failure. The two cars were certainly capable of winning the TT 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...
in the hands of Innes Ireland
Innes Ireland
Robert McGregor Innes Ireland , was a British military officer, engineer, and motor racing driver. He was a larger-than-life character who, according to a rival team boss, "lived without sense, without an analyst and provoked astonishment and affection from everyone."Ireland was born on 12 June...
and Bruce McLaren, but unfortunately they fell foul of the RAC Scrutineer (Procter). He refused to allow the cars to run with the 6.5" inch rims that they had run at Le Mans, because they had not been homologated, even though by then the production cars were fitted with them as standard. As it was, they were required to race with 5.5" inch rims, which actually narrowed the track by 4" inches and ruined their handling. They had never run with these narrow rims in the first place, and were never to do so again. An angry Innes Ireland spent the whole race going luridly sideways in the car which he had originally put on pole.
Next was a victory at the Inter-Europa Cup at Monza
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception....
driven by 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...
, setting a new GT lap record, with an average speed of 120.23 mi/h. This race also saw the second DP214 (0195, driven by Bianchi)) take 3rd (119 mi/h, average speed). The next two rounds at Monthéry
Autodrome de Montlhéry
Autodrome de Montlhéry is an automobile racetrack, officially called L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, located across the towns of Linas Bruyères-le-Châtel and Ollainville, outside Paris in the southside....
would see the DP214s take victory (0194, driven by Claude Le Guezec) and second place (Dewez) in the first race. The second race would also see a DP214 victorious again, this time with 0195 winning (Schlesser) and 0194 (Le Guezec) finishing in fifth.
Following the 1963 season, both DP214s were sold to John Dawnay's racing team for use throughout the international circuit. With 0195 later being sold to Brian Hetreed in 1964. Mike Salmon in 0194 and Hetreed in 0195 took both DP214's to Daytona 2000 km
24 Hours of Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona, currently known as the Rolex 24 Daytona for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is run on a combined road course, utilizing portions of the NASCAR tri-oval and an infield...
. Salmon with co-driver 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...
and Hetreed partnered by Chris Kerrison. Both had been up to 5th place during the race. But 0194 retired with value failure and 0195 slipped back to 17th when the gearbox started to seize.
At the International Trophy Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
GT race, Salmon broke the GT record (with 0194) in practice with 1m 41.0s but spun in the wet on the first lap. But worked his way back up to take second place overall. Around the same time, Hetreed took DP214 0195 to the Wiscombe hill climb and set a best time.
Both cars then went to Spa 500 km, but both DP214's had engine troubles and neither finished.
Unfortunately, one of the DP214s (0195) was destroyed in an accident during practice at the Nürburgring 1000 km in 1964, killing driver Brian Hetreed. Hetreed crashe on his first practice lap, with the car rolling down a bank at 'Bergwerk' corner. The other lone DP214 finished out the season, moving onto Le Mans again. With Peter Sutcliffe
Peter Sutcliffe (race driver)
Peter Sutcliffe , a British textile manufacturer from Huddersfield, was active in sports car racing until 1967. Between 1959 and 1967 he won the 1964 Grand Prix de Paris at the Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, and the 1965 Pietermaritzburg 3 hours He raced in Aston Martins, Jaguar D-Type and E types,...
and Michael Salmon racing at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans
1964 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 32nd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 20 and 21 1964. It was also the ninth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Pre-race:...
. At the end of the first lap DP214 was running in tenth place, dropping to eleventh after half an hour. Early evening pit stops had moved the car up to sixth overall, but again dropped, down to twelfth place. However after 17h 45m on Sunday morning they were disqualified due to replenishing the car's oil at the wrong time when lying 11th.
The remains of 0195 were returned to London from Germany and were comprehensively cut up and destroyed. With the engine being repaired and going into an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, with chassis number DB4GT/0200/R.
After Le Mans 24 Hour
In the closing event of 1964, 0194 finished as the first GT car and fifth overall, in the SilverstoneSilverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
Martini meeting, with fastest lap of 1m 42.8s and 4th in class in the Guards Trophy despite a spin at Clearways.
In 1965 the sole remaining DP214 was bought by Tom Rose, who painted the car, a very dark blue, possibly black in colour. Rose registered the car with the registration number '5 NBP' (which it still holds today) and then competed the car in 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...
events during the next year. Results including a win at Wiscombe Park and at the Belgian Day of Records (Jabbeke Speed Trial) Rose set a best time, with a top speed of 163.5 mi/h. Finally driven by Pye, the car competed at B.A.R.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...
event, were Pye set a best time.
Colin Crabbe then acquired the car in 1965, with the car now showing flared wheel arches to accommodate wider wheels. In 1966 Crabbe raced the project car at the B.A.R.C. event at Oulton Park
Oulton Park
Oulton Park Circuit is a motor racing track in the small village of Little Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is about from Winsford, from Chester city centre, from Northwich and from Warrington with a nearby rail connection along the Mid-Cheshire Line. It occupies much of the area which was...
and was victorious overall. Crabbe was then second overall in the Monte Cristo Trophy at the AMOC
Aston Martin Owners Club
The Aston Martin Owners Club is one of the oldest one-make car enthusiast clubs, one of the largest with worldwide membership and one of the leaders....
St John Horsfall meeting 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...
, second only to Ron Fry’s Ferrari 275 LM. Neil Corner also drove DP214 in 1966 and won overall at the Bentley
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
Drivers' Club (B.D.C.).
In 1967 at the Belgian day of Records, Crabbe won again, this time finishing first in class. The final event with Colin Crabbe owning the car, was with Neil Corner in the 'Emu Trohpy' at Aston Martin Owners Club
Aston Martin Owners Club
The Aston Martin Owners Club is one of the oldest one-make car enthusiast clubs, one of the largest with worldwide membership and one of the leaders....
(AMOC) 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...
event.
During the 1970s
After the last race under ownership of Colin Crabbe, Mike Ottway acquired the car with an 3,750 cc engine installed and a damaged DP215Aston 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...
engine as a spare. After this Nick Cussons raced the car regularly, but it is unclear whether Cussons owned the car during this time. In 1973 Cussons won first in class at Curborough, and was again first in class at the Jaguar Drivers' Club (JDC). Cussons was also first overall in the B.R.S.C.C. at Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
, also in 1973. In its last outing of the era, Cussons was third in class at B.A.R.C at Thruxton
Thruxton Circuit
Thruxton Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near the village of Thruxton in Hampshire, England which is used to host a number of motorsport events including British Touring Cars and Formula 3 racing....
in 1974. During this period Nick Cussons also raced the car in his own Cussons Post-Historic Championship.
Restoration period
During the period of 1974/5 to 1992 the project car has gone under a full, 'pains-taking' restoration by Mike Ottway. The car was then acquired by Simon Draper. Presumably this is when the car was returned to its original colour, which it still has today.During the 1990s
The car reappeared after its long restoration in 1992 and would race again with Draper 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...
in 1994 in the Coy's Historic Festival. DP214 then raced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood Festival of Speed
The Goodwood Festival of Speed, commonly abbreviated as FoS and referred within the United Kingdom as simply the Festival of Speed, is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles that is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England.Typically held in late June or...
in 1995, driven my Ian Mason. The car competed again at the Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
Coy's meeting in 1995 and 1996 with Draper and Gary Pearson finishing second overall in 1995 (after being on pole in part one of the GT Race). With Draper and Mark Hales again finishing second in 1996 in the GT race.
In 1997, Simon Draper entered DP214 into the Concours d'Elegance
Concours d'Elegance
A Concours d'Elegance dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during Summer weekends and holidays...
at Pebble Beach in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
In 1998 and 1999 Draper joined by David Clark entered the Coy's Historic Festival at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
again, finishing 13th (1998) and 9th (1999) in the pre '64 GT Race.
Again in 1998 and 1999 Draper and Clark competed the DP214 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...
Meeting R.A.C. Tourist Trophy Celebration Race. In 1998 they finished a very respectable fourth overall and finished 6th overall in 1999. Also at Goodwood in 1999, DP214 competed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed event, and Gillian Goldsmith finished first in class.
In 1999 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...
featured in the Aston Martin Lagonda Limited official calendar.
The original DP214 will now be worth anything in excess of 7 figures, having being sold in 1993 for in excess of £1,000,000.
Replica Cars
There are two known, replicaReplica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
DP214s based on DB4 and DB4GT chassis. The first, initially claiming to be built up from some parts of the crashed 214/0195/R, was commissioned by American Ken Lawrence with a body built by Shapecraft, using the surviving DP214 as a template. Lawrence said he had found a cross member showing the correct chassis number, in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, in late 1979. He also claimed he had found an engine of 0195 which had raced at Le Mans, but this engine was scrapped due to a large 3” inch hole in the block. The car had been built up with contemporary 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...
parts, with a DB4GT engine (notably stamped 370/0195/GT), and gearbox. The body, which was crafted by Shapecraft, bears a fairly close resemblance to the original, but the similarities end there; there is no evidence that this car contains any significant authentic components. Therefore, this car is aptly deemed a modern recreation, which aesthetically shares a large resemblance to the original DP214.
This replica
Replica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
is currently owned by Wolfgang Friedrichs (who also owns DP212
Aston Martin DP212
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...
) and which has had a good record in the Spa 6 hour races, of two overall second places (2004 & 2006) and an overall victory in 2005.
The second car is much more recently built, being built for by Martin Brewer of Runnymede Motor Company, but the build was apparently started (according to the Aston Martin Owners Club
Aston Martin Owners Club
The Aston Martin Owners Club is one of the oldest one-make car enthusiast clubs, one of the largest with worldwide membership and one of the leaders....
) alongside the aforementioned replica. It was built up using DB4/559/L as the basis. Completed in 2005, it was given the registration number ‘DSL 449’, but has since been re-registered as ‘5 BVY’ in order that it might closely resemble the surviving, original car: ‘5 NBP’. This car has appeared at the Le Mans Legends race on 16 June 2007.
Specification for Le Mans 24 Hour 1963
| DP214 DB4GT/0194/R | DP214 DB4GT/0195/R | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length Length In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire... |
14 in 6 in (441.96 cm) | 14 in 6 in (441.96 cm) |
| Width | 5 in 6 in (167.64 cm) | 5 in 6 in (167.64 cm) |
| Height Height Height is the measurement of vertical distance, but has two meanings in common use. It can either indicate how "tall" something is, or how "high up" it is. For example "The height of the building is 50 m" or "The height of the airplane is 10,000 m"... |
4 in 2 in (127 cm) | 4 in 2 in (127 cm) |
| Wheelbase Wheelbase In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel... |
7 in 10 in (238.76 cm) | 7 in 10 in (238.76 cm) |
| Weight Weight In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude , often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus:... |
2150 lb (975.2 kg) | 2150 lb (975.2 kg) |
| Engine | 3750 cc Straight Six 1 mm (0.0393700787401575 in) Overbore, mounted 8.5" further back than standard Jaguar E Type Radiator |
3750 cc Straight Six 1 mm (0.0393700787401575 in) Overbore, mounted 8.5" further back than standard, Standard DB4 head, Jaguar E Type Radiator |
| Bore/Stroke | 93 mm (3.7 in) x 92 mm (3.6 in) | 93 mm (3.7 in) x 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Transmission | David Brown S432 4 Speed manual gearbox | David Brown S432 4 Speed manual gearbox |
| Compression Compression ratio The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity... |
9.15 | 9.3 |
| Carburetors | Three 'Weber Weber carburetor Weber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as... ' 50 DCO |
Three 'Weber Weber carburetor Weber is an Italian company producing carburetors, currently owned by Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A., in turn part of the Fiat Group.The company was established as... ' 45 DCOE (Changed to 50 DCO) |
| Max. Power | 310 bhp at 6,000 rpm, increased to 314 bhp (For 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.... , Wyer quotes 317 bhp at 6000rpm. |
300 bhp at 5,800 rpm, increased to 310 bhp (with changed carburettors) |
| Max. Speed | approx. 186 mi/h | approx. 175 mi/h |
| Weight | 2121 lb (962.1 kg) | 2121 lb (962.1 kg) |
| Steering | Rack and pinion Rack and pinion A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby... |
Rack and pinion Rack and pinion A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby... |
| Chassis Chassis A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the... |
Separate steel platform type with tubular steel frame, 4" x 2" 16 swg Standard wire gauge British Standard Wire Gauge is a set of wire sizes given by BS 3737:1964 , and is generally abbreviated to SWG. It is also known as: Imperial Wire Gauge or British Standard Gauge. Use of SWG sizes has fallen greatly in popularity, but is still used as a measure of thickness in guitar strings and... steel channel |
Separate steel platform type with tubular steel frame, 4" x 2" 16 swg Standard wire gauge British Standard Wire Gauge is a set of wire sizes given by BS 3737:1964 , and is generally abbreviated to SWG. It is also known as: Imperial Wire Gauge or British Standard Gauge. Use of SWG sizes has fallen greatly in popularity, but is still used as a measure of thickness in guitar strings and... steel channel |
| Body | 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... as of DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... , but longer nose and smaller air intake than DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... Drilled box section frame with aluminium flooring, Magnesium and aluminium bodied coupe, NACA duct NACA duct A NACA duct also sometimes called a NACA scoop or NACA Inlet, is a common form of low-drag air inlet design, originally developed by the U.S. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics , the precursor to NASA, in 1945.... s by front headlights |
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... as of DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... , but longer nose and smaller air intake than DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... Drilled box section frame with aluminium flooring, Magnesium and aluminium bodied coupe, NACA duct NACA duct A NACA duct also sometimes called a NACA scoop or NACA Inlet, is a common form of low-drag air inlet design, originally developed by the U.S. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics , the precursor to NASA, in 1945.... s by front headlights |
| Axle | 4HA axle (was 7HA), Shortened Salisbury back axel with LSD Limited slip differential A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity... |
4HA axle (was 7HA), Shortened Salisbury back axel with LSD Limited slip differential A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity... |
| Suspension | Smaller anti-roll bar than DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... |
Smaller anti-roll bar than DP212 Aston Martin DP212 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... |
| Brakes | 'Girling' 12 inches (304.8 mm) discs front, 11.7 inches (297.2 mm) rear | 'Girling' 12 inches (304.8 mm) discs front, 11.7 inches (297.2 mm) rear |
| Wheels | 'Borrani Borrani Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s.... ' 16" centre lock wire wheels |
'Borrani Borrani Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s.... ' 16" centre lock wire wheels |
| Tyres | 6L/6.5L x 16 with R5 and R6 'Dunlop Dunlop Tyres Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres.... ' tyres up to 7.00 x 16 R5's on the rear |
6L/6.5L x 16 with R5 and R6 'Dunlop Dunlop Tyres Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres.... ' tyres up to 7.00 x 16 R5's on the rear |
External links
- AstonMartins.com - DP214