Gallery: Ex Moss Aston Martin DBR1

The DBR1  is regarded as the greatest car built by Aston Martin in the British firms 99-year history. This incredible racing machine which won the 1959 Le Mans 24-hour race is one of the most valuable British cars in history.

Built in 1957, this is the immaculate Aston Martin DBR1.

Here is the official blurb from Talacrest:

Talacrest are proud to offer for sale the single most successful racing car ever built by Aston Martin. After its victorious debut at the 1957 Spa 1000 km race, it scored five more victories including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 in the hands of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby and was campaigned well into the 1962 season by privateers. Beautifully preserved and maintained by a serious collector, despite the car’s incredible value, it has been regularly raced in a variety of historic race events with great success.

Renowned by many as the most recognisable and valuable Aston Martin in history, the DBR1/2 is the only car from the iconic manufacturer to have ever won the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour race. Additionally, the vehicle was also the one and same in which Sir Stirling Moss won the RAC Tourist Trophies at Goodwood in 1958 and 59 to help Aston Martin take home the 1959 World Sports Car Championship.

One of the most successful and instantly recognisable historic racing cars in the world today – with undisputed provenance and ready to race. In addition the car is road registered and has been used and is eligible for many road based touring events.

One of 5 (1 was an updated version of an earlier chassis) DBR1’s made – this example has the most successful competition pedigree by some margin:

Race history for the DBR1/2 chassis below:

1957
Winner – Spa Sportscar Race – driven by Brooks
Winner – 1000km Nürburgring Race – driven by Brooks/Cunningham-Reid
Retired – 24 Hours of Le Mans Race whilst lying 2nd – driven by Brooks/Cunningham-Reid
Winner – Spa Grand Prix – driven by Brooks

1958
Retired – Sebring – driven by Moss/Brooks
Retired – Nurburgring – driven by Brooks/Lewis-Evans
Retired – 24 Hours of Le Mans – driven by Brooks/Trintignant
Winner – Goodwood Tourist Trophy – driven by Moss/Brooks

1959
Winner – 24 Hours of Le Mans – driven by Salvadori/Shelby
Winner – Goodwood Tourist Trophy – driven by Moss/Shelby/Fairman

Following Aston Martin’s success in 1959, David Brown 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 Sports cars.

1960
The car was sold to Major Ian Baillie – and as a privateer entrant the following results were achieved:
Winner – Rouen Grand Prix – driven by Jack Fairman
9th – 24 Hours of Le Mans – driven by Baillie/Fairman
Finished but Unclassified – Nurburgring  – driven by Baillie/Greenhall.

1961- 1962
Remained with and raced by Baillie

1963
Acquired by David Ham and raced by him for 3 seasons.

1966
Acquired by Chris Stewart and raced by him for several years, although Neil Corner also campaigned it and appears to have purchased a joint ownership, or possibly an outright purchase.

1971
Last recorded outing by Corner  – although it continued to be raced by Stewart until purchased by Geoffrey Marsh circa 1977

Circa 1980
The car went to the Setton private collection in France, and returned to the UK in 1992 when it was acquired by John Collins of Talacrest.

The car has been extensively raced over the past 20 years, often by Peter Hardman who won the Lavant cup with it in 1999 and 2000 at the Goodwood revival.

This the only DBR1 to have scored a win in privateer hands – and the only Aston Martin to have ever won Le Mans and additionally the only car Carroll Shelby ever won the Le Mans 24 Hour race in.

Nowadays in Historic Racing – this world famous car is still a proven winner and has won numerous prestigious historic races.

Talacrest sold this car to it’s last owner – who has enjoyed long term ownership of this fabulous racer.  Cars of this calibre and undisputed provenance are rarely available on the open market and will surely present the new owner with invitations to just about any event in the world – whilst also offering serious investment potential.