1956 Aston Martin DBR1: A British Racing Rarity

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This week, in partnership with RM Sotheby’s, we go for a lively ride in one of Britain’s (if not the world’s) most beautiful automobiles: an Aston Martin DBR1.

One of just five hand-built DBR1s produced, this example is particularly significant due to it being the very first one made, in addition to it being the same model, though not the exact car, that earned Aston Martin an overall Le Mans victory and a worthy motorsport legacy. Obviously, a car of such importance requires expert narration, and we were lucky enough to get the perfect man for the job: Stephen Archer.

Mr. Archer, a veteran Aston Marin racer since the late ‘70s, is the official Aston Martin Works Historian. Aston Martin Works is the historic home of the brand, and has a history of its own that is almost six decades in the making, so it goes without saying Stephen knows a thing or two about the cars.

Stephen retells DBR1/1’s most memorable moment, a tale that places near the top of the all time greatest racing stories. “Come '55, John Wyer and David Brown decided to produce a racing car that'd finally take the fight properly to the opposition,” Stephen tells, “[And] right from the outset, the DBR1 was to prove itself an incredibly competent racing car. And yet it was designed by a tiny team led by one man, Ted Cutting, who designed the chassis, the engine, and the beautiful, beautiful body that epitomizes racing Aston Martins.”

“Come 1959, the team of Aston Martins went on, of course, to win Le Mans—in fact, they took first and second. But why is this car, DBR1/1, so important if it wasn’t the winning car? Well, just three weeks before Le Mans was the 1,000 Kilometers of the Nürburgring and the factory wasn't going to enter a car there—the target was to win Le Mans—but Stirling Moss
said, ‘Look we've won this race twice, we can win this race again. Just let me take the car there,’ and John Wyer agreed.”

With a five minute and five second lead earned by the 17th lap, it appeared Moss was right: a third victory was not only possible, but apparently a stroll in the park for the legendary wheelman—but another tale of that man winning a race that wouldn’t make for a truly great story, would it? All was smooth sailing until Sterling pitted for a pilot changeover, handing over the helm to his co-driver Jack Fairman, who unfortunately ended up putting the car in a ditch.

Incredibly, Jack—being quite a brawny man apparently—was able to single-handedly push DBR1/1 out of said ditch and continue on, but the accident was not without seemingly grave consequence. The mishap severely cost the team position, knocking their comfortable spot with a five minute lead all the way back to fourth place. They were down, but far from out.

“Driving like a man who had an appointment with a checkered flag,” Moss miraculously secured first again. “It was Stirling Moss's finest ever drive. He jumped in, and won by a huge margin, which was undoubtedly DBR1/1's finest hour, but it also set them up to compete in the world championship,” Stephen explains.

The Aston Martin team went on to win the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving north of 175mph down the Mulsanne Straight in the DBR1s, lap after lap for 24 hours. The car was pure speed sorcery in the late ’50s, and it hasn’t lost a bit of magic since.

Drive Tastefully®

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I was lucky enough to be driven round the Goodwood circuit, as a 10 year old in 1959, by Roy Salvadori. We did three laps - an out lap an 'on it' lap and an in lap (no real difference in speed as I remember!) drifting around every corner. Extraordinary and a never to be forgotten memory as I write this over 60 years later!

chaffersmead
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Films like this make my heart ache. The aesthetics, the sound, the history - everything about this car is special. So, so amazing.

willkern
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Not to take anything from Sterling they forgot to mention a little old chicken farmer from Texas won some races in this car

mzondi
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Thanks once again for making me crave something I can't have!

oprikawize
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This was the car I salivated over when I was 11 or 12 years old - and is still probably my all-time favourite sports racing car.
Fantastic!

TheMendipman
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Now this car is a dream... well done...!

SupercarAdvocates
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Sir Stirling Moss.... when the word is bandied about so carelessly, Stirling is the real thing - a bona fide racing 'legend'.

LennyJohnson
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Was fortunate enough to behold DBR1/3 in the metal and it literally took my breath away. Stunning doesn't begin to describe these cars.

Brivinci
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It is an amazing car....but you can't take anything away from Sir Sterling is absolutely fearless behind the wheel of any car....

christophermay
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even before the video started, I liked just simply Aston Martin.

shreyashtannu
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Production of these videos are immaculate!!! Another story well told and preserved. Thank you!!!

MrTrill
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Magnificent car.
Gorgeous video.
Best in class filming & editing.

You've done it once again Petrolicious. Stunning!
greetings from Germany

OliverWode
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man I swear...every video on this channel is pure artwork. Thanks for another AWESOME car vid.

TexasADV
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Side profile on this car makes your heart ache at the thought that something so beautiful will never be made again

daveshaw
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Absolutely stunning. Magnificent to look at and I'm sure equally magnificent to drive. With an fascinating history there's good reason to believe this car will set records when it hits the auction block next week. Petrolicious at it's best!

erichakanson
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For one more time you have created a masterpiece. Hats off for your video and the excellent presentation of the story.

dimitris
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This beautiful car and that story about Stirling Moss's drive to finish first gave me goosebumps

korbindallis
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After the week I've just had, that was just the tonic I needed. Thank you Petrolicious. My Friday evening is better now. Have a great end to the week ROW

brixtonsaint
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All the old race cars are definitely my favorites of what you film.

dougdeboer
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Fantastic car and story including the irreplaceable legend that is Sir Sterling moss bravo!!

SnakeyUk