Designed in 1956 as a sports racing prototype, the Aston Martin DBR1 is a racing legend that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Switching turns in the race, Caroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori drove it right through the finish line, leaving the giant competitors Ferrari and Porche in the dust. Ever since this tight and exciting win, DBR1 stands for the most important and desirable Aston Martin model in history.
Considering only notable drivers such as David Brown, Tony Brooks, Reg Parnell, Stuart Lewis-Evans, and Les Leston could be seen behind the DBR1 weel, its striking popularity doesn't come as a surprise. However, there's much more to be desired in the original 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 that skyrocketed its price at the RM Sotheby's Monterey auction in 2017.
In this article, find out how much DBR1 costs now and whether you can find it on the market. Once we lay out the history, specs, and sleek design of this model, you may find it well worth its gold.
The Original From 1956 Sold At The Auction In 2017
One of the only five DBR1 models produced went to the public RM Sotheby's auction in 2017. Selling for $22.5 million, it became the most valuable British car ever sold. Whoever picked up the keys to astonishing DBR1 is now the owner of the most important Aston Martin in history.
RM Sotheby's certainly celebrated the 2017 Monterey auction as the most successful sale to date, with almost $133 million of profit. Aston Martin generally took the lead among the other competitors, as DBR1 was followed by the DB4GT Prototype sold for $6,765,000 and the DBR9 that went for $616,000.
If you're an Aston Martin lover who looks out for the other four available models to be at the sale, be prepared to save up for your new car. We can expect the initial bid at the next auction to be much higher than the one in 2017!
What Makes The Aston Martin DBR1 A Legend?
The history of the Aston Martin DBR1 is quite an interesting one. The model came to be thanks to David Brown's desire to win 24 Hours of Le Mans. Following the changes to the race rules in 1956 due to the earlier tragedy, Aston Martin was allowed to build sports-racing cars rather than road-legal ones. The new model was designed by the racing design chief Ted Cutting and named DBR1. It featured a small six-cylinder racing engine of 2.5 liters, a multi-tube chassis, and an aluminum alloy body.
The first race didn't go quite as expected to the disappointment of the entire Aston Martin team. The DBR1 experienced gearbox failure after the 246 laps! However, they saw the enormous potential of this racing car and continued to invest in it. By the end of 1959, the first race was won, and four other models were built.
Compared to the previous DB3S, the new model had a lower profile and a now recognizable vent on the side. Other design changes were not that noticeable. The interior remained simple and sleek, featuring a steering wheel with a wooden rim, loaded only with buttons and switches. All in all, the style of DBR1 remains the dream of classic car enthusiasts well beyond 1956.
Tribute To The Aston Martin First Racing Car With A V12 Speedster DBR1
To pay tribute to one of its most successful racing cars, Aston Martin decided to roll out the V12 Speedster. Inspired by the legendary DBR1, the new model features classic style and a widely recognized green color. There are also a Clubsport White pinstripe and rounders and an anodized grille to remind drivers of the early racing days.
When it comes to power, the V12 Speedster is equipped with a 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo engine, producing 690 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to the rear weeks through the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, resulting in 62 mph acceleration in just 3.5 seconds. With a limited top speed of 186 mph, the V12 Speedster goes well ahead of its predecessor in specs.
Finally, Aston Martin revealed the V12 Speedster is part of a limited edition. Only 88 models will be out for public sale in 2021. Although the cost is still unveiled upon request, it's estimated at around $1 million. Without a doubt, the seven figures are very extravagant but not even near to the selling price of the DBR1 four years ago. Plus, who knows when or if one of the four remained models of DBR1 will be available for purchase? Therefore, it's well worth considering the modern successor in 2021.