Aston Martin DBR1 racer set to break the record for the most valuable British car ever sold
One of five ever produced, the DBR1 could fetch more than £15.7 million at auction
A historic Aston Martin racing car could be set to break the record for the most valuable British car ever sold when it goes under the hammer in August.
The 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, chassis number one (DBR1/1), is one of only five examples built between 1956 and 1958. It will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at the Monterey sale, during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and could fetch in excess of $20 million (£15.7m).
DBR1/1 made its Le Mans debut in 1956, retiring after 22 hours due to engine bearing failure. Although this particular car never won the race – a feat achieved in 1959 by its sister car – DBR1/1 was raced in a number of illustrious events, including the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring and three entries at the Nurburgring 1000Km – which it won in 1959.
Many famous names from motorsport have raced the historic car, including Carroll Shelby, Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham. Moss and Jack Fairman drove the car to overall victory at the 1959 Nurburgring 1000Km.
Barney Ruprecht, car specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “Sometimes we are privileged to bring a car to auction that has a unique place in history; cars which present an unrepeatable opportunity.
“The Aston DBR1 to be offered in Monterey is one such vehicle. Not only is it one of the most beautiful sports racing cars ever made, it also happens to be the first of only five cars built and boasts a fantastic racing history in the hands of some of history’s greatest drivers.
“Cars like this are very rare and very precious and we are proud to be entrusted with its sale.”
The DBR1 will also be joined by a number of other historic Aston Martin racers on the podium at the Monterey sale. These include a 1935 Ulster Competition Sports, a 1959 DB4GT and a 2006 DBR9.
Ruprecht added: “This is the most significant group of Astons to ever come to auction.
“It is a true privilege to be entrusted with the sale of all four remarkable cars. From the Ulster—the pinnacle of pre-war competition—to the founding member of the DB4GT family, the ultimate Aston in the DBR1, all the way through to modern times with the DBR9, the group represents the complete lineage of Aston Martin competition history.”
The Monterey sale will take place on August 18 and 19, during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance motoring week in California.
