Returning in force for the 1959 season, 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, this downturn was followed by the team not appearing at the Targa Florio.
But fortunes returned again for Aston Martin, as the sole factory entry again won the 1000km Nurburgring, with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman driving. This victory paved the way for what is considered to be Aston Martin's 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 Frere, finished second - underpinning this tremendous victory, which was an apt testimonial to the DBR1's designer, Ted Cutting, the presiding genius behind the Aston Martin DBR1 program.
The Aston Martin DBR1 that won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, returned to the Circuit de la Sarthe in France on 18-20 June 2012 as part of a tribute to its drivers Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and its chief engineer Ted Cutting, who all sadly passed away this year. Aston Martin's Head of Motorsport, David King, commented, "We were deeply saddened by the loss of Carroll, Roy and Ted. They all played a hugely important role in Aston Martin's racing history and will forever remain part of the company's heritage. To mark their passing, we felt it fitting to return their car to the scene of its greatest victory."
The unique item on sale today is a tribute to that iconic 1959 Le Mans win. Handmade by the acclaimed Evanta Motor Company based in Hertfordshire, England is a life-size 1:1 scale model of the DBR1 Le Mans-winning race car.
Measuring a staggering 6.35 meters wide and 3.30 meters tall this piece would suit only the finest of collections with facilities to accommodate such a large item. It's only when you stand beside the piece that you are overwhelmed by its size, beauty, and attention to detail.
Built-in the traditional style of an Airfix model in correct satin grey and featuring individually labeled components along with Airfix tags. Each part tapers to the Aston Martin item as if you could twist it off for assembly demonstrating the level of detail a piece of this importance deserves.
The frame (which collapses into two transportable pieces) is instantly recognizable by its "Airfix" style design and houses a number of components finished in their ready to race condition.
An entire DBR1 bodyshell is used. Hand laid in GRP and finished in Aston Martin Californian Sage Green with race livery and race spots of that of the Le Mans winner. Lights, screens and final detail are fitted as if the real car was dissected to make this item.
The piece includes...
- Four 16" Aston Martin wire wheels shod in Dunlop race tires and fitted with Aston Martin three eared spinners.
- Correct "Mota Lita" 15" wood-rimmed Aston Martin steering wheel.
- A pair of race seats upholstered incorrect style Aston Martin weave material and leather-bound headrest.
- A machined aluminum gear knob and gear lever.
- Full dashboard finished in textured satin black and assembled using Smiths' gauges and period switches.
- A replica of the Le Mans trophy.
- And lastly, and perhaps most significantly, an Aston Martin cap, signed by both drivers Salvadori and Shelby. This item is supplied with authentication of the signatures plus pictures of both drivers signing it.
This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a piece of significant artwork unique to such a historic event in this tribute year.
Source: Evanta Motor Company, Richard Pardon
_websize.jpg)
