Aston Martin DBR2
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin DBR2 was a sports
racing car built in 1957 as a sibling to the Aston Martin DBR1
, yet competing in a larger engine capacity group.
project known as DP166 (DP for Development Project), which was a sportscar similar to the DB3S
yet housed a Lagonda 4.5L V12 engine. Using the two DP166 chassis, David Brown
's racing department modified the cars with bodies similar to those from the DBR1, except larger and more aerodynamic. These cars would be christened DBR2/1 and DBR2/2.
For an engine, the new Tadek Marek
-designed 3.7L (3670cc) Straight-6 from the newly launched DB4
road car was initially installed. For the 1958 season, the engine was enlarged to 3.9L, then again with a 4.2L engine later in the year.
, the DBR2 was mostly relegated to non-championship British, European, and American events that allowed the larger capacity car.
DBR2/1 initially began competition at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
, where it unfortunately retired. Its only notable success for 1957 was at the Daily Express
Trophy at Silverstone Circuit
in the hands of Roy Salvadori
.
For 1958 the DBR2's program was expanded, including the upgrade to the newer 3.9L engines. DBR2/1 won both the Sussex Trophy at Goodwood
and the British Empire Trophy at Oulton Park
, driven by Stirling Moss
in both wins. After finishing 2nd and 3rd at Spa
, Aston Martin decided to concentrate on the DBR1 for Europe, while both DBR2s were upgraded to the 4.2L engines and transferred to America where they could compete easier with larger engine capacities. George Constantine
drove DBR2/1 to victories at Lime Rock
and Marlborough before the end of the season.
Continuing in the United States in 1959, the cars again took victory in New York and twice in the Bahamas, driven by George Constantine
and Stirling Moss
. Both cars were then returned to Aston Martin in 1960.
/6 placed on top of it. DBR2/2 was also sold to private owners, being sold various times over the years. Its most recent sale at auction fetched a price of £1,750,000. A restored DBR2 recently won the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
's People's Choice Award.
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
racing car built in 1957 as a sibling to the Aston Martin DBR1
Aston Martin DBR1
The Aston Martin DBR1 was a sports racing car built by Aston Martin starting in 1956, intended for the World Sportscar Championship as well as non-championship sportscar races at the time...
, yet competing in a larger engine capacity group.
Development
The DBR2 was created from a short lived LagondaLagonda
Lagonda is a British luxury car marque, founded as a company in 1906 in Staines, Middlesex by a former opera singer from Ohio, but of Scottish ancestry, named Wilbur Gunn . He named the company after a river near the town of his birth, Springfield, Ohio, United States...
project known as DP166 (DP for Development Project), which was a sportscar similar to the DB3S
Aston Martin DB3S
The Aston Martin DB3S was a sports racing car built by Aston Martin as a replacement for the heavy and uncompetitive Aston Martin DB3. In total 31 cars were made, with 11 works cars and 20 cars being sold for customer use. The DB3S was introduced in 1953 and it proved somewhat more successful than...
yet housed a Lagonda 4.5L V12 engine. Using the two DP166 chassis, David Brown
David Brown (entrepreneur)
Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
's racing department modified the cars with bodies similar to those from the DBR1, except larger and more aerodynamic. These cars would be christened DBR2/1 and DBR2/2.
For an engine, the new 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...
-designed 3.7L (3670cc) Straight-6 from the newly launched DB4
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....
road car was initially installed. For the 1958 season, the engine was enlarged to 3.9L, then again with a 4.2L engine later in the year.
Racing history
Due to a limit on engine capacity for the World Sportscar ChampionshipWorld Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
, the DBR2 was mostly relegated to non-championship British, European, and American events that allowed the larger capacity car.
DBR2/1 initially began competition at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 25th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 22 and 23 1957. It was also the fifth round of the World Sportscar Championship.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:...
, where it unfortunately retired. Its only notable success for 1957 was at the Daily Express
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
Trophy at Silverstone Circuit
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...
in the hands of 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...
.
For 1958 the DBR2's program was expanded, including the upgrade to the newer 3.9L engines. DBR2/1 won both the Sussex Trophy 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...
and the British Empire Trophy 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...
, driven by Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
in both wins. After finishing 2nd and 3rd at Spa
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
, Aston Martin decided to concentrate on the DBR1 for Europe, while both DBR2s were upgraded to the 4.2L engines and transferred to America where they could compete easier with larger engine capacities. George Constantine
George Constantine
George Constantine was a racing driver from the United States. He participated in one Formula One Grand Prix, debuting on December 12, 1959. He scored 0 championship points....
drove DBR2/1 to victories at Lime Rock
Lime Rock Park
Lime Rock Park is a natural-terrain motorsport road racing venue located in Lime Rock, Connecticut, United States, a hamlet in the village of Lakeville, Connecticut, in the state’s northwest corner...
and Marlborough before the end of the season.
Continuing in the United States in 1959, the cars again took victory in New York and twice in the Bahamas, driven by George Constantine
George Constantine
George Constantine was a racing driver from the United States. He participated in one Formula One Grand Prix, debuting on December 12, 1959. He scored 0 championship points....
and Stirling Moss
Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss, OBE FIE is a former racing driver from England...
. Both cars were then returned to Aston Martin in 1960.
Later life
DBR2/1 was sold to private hands following its return to Britain, changing hands twice before being stripped of its body and having the coupe bodywork from DB3Aston Martin DB3
The Aston Martin DB3 and later DB3S were racing cars built in the 1950s. Although they used some DB2 parts, they were quite different, being designed especially for racing...
/6 placed on top of it. DBR2/2 was also sold to private owners, being sold various times over the years. Its most recent sale at auction fetched a price of £1,750,000. A restored DBR2 recently won the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
's People's Choice Award.
Chassis information
Included are a list of notable results for each chassis.- Aston Martin DBR2/1 - Completed 1957
- 1957 Le Mans 24 Hour- ret
- 1957 B.R.D.C. Silverstone- 3rd
- 1958 B.R.D.C Silverstone- 5th
- 1958 Spa GP- 3rd
- Aston Martin DBR2/2 - Completed 1957
- 1957 B.R.D.C. Silverstone- 1st
- 1958 B.A.R.C. Aintree- 2nd
- 1958 B.R.D.C. Silverstone- 4th
- 1958 Spa GP- 2nd