The first Aston Martin DBR1 is set to auction at RM Sotheby’s on August 18-19.
With a valuation in excess of $20m, it looks primed to become the most valuable British car ever sold. The title is held by the 2015 £9.5m ($14.3m) sale of a DB4/GT Zagato.
The Aston Martin DBR1 was built after restrictions on race cars were lifted
The DBR1 was the most powerful Aston Martin of its era.
Prior to 1956, racing cars had to be road-legal.
When that changed, marques were freed up to strip out excess weight and increase engine power.
Aston Martin came out with the DBR1 that year. Five were built between 1956 and 1958.
It proved a formidable competitor, achieving nine wins in 18 races – including victory at 1959's Le Mans.
The present lot (chassis DBR1/1) has an exceptional racing history, including a win at the 1959 1000km Nurburgring.
It’s one of a select group of four cars from the marque to feature in the upcoming Monterey sale, including a 1935 Ulster Competition Sports and a DBR9.
Barney Ruprecht, specialist at RM Sotheby’s said: “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.”
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about classic car auctions.
