1968/2006 Aston Martin DBR2 Evocation

Lot details
Registration No: BHJ368F
Chassis No: ABADBR22006UK0009
Mot Expiry: None

Bigger and faster than DBR1, the DBR2 made its debut at Le Mans in 1957 only to retire prematurely with gearbox failure. Its fortune was no better next time out; crashing in practice at Spa and missing the race altogether. Everything came good at Silverstone in September, however, with Roy Salvadori winning in DBR2/2 with a new sports car lap record of 98.48 mph, and DBR2/1 coming in third. A change in FIA regulations for 1958 effectively ruled the DBR2s out of the World Sportscar Championship and largely relegated them to UK-only events at Goodwood, Oulton Park, Aintree and Silverstone - the exception being their second and third places in the non-championship Belgian Sports Car Grand Prix. For the remainder of 1958 and 1959, the two cars (still owned by Aston Martin) were fitted with 4.2-litre engines and privately-entered in various US events. The last Works entry was for DBR2/2, when Stirling Moss won the Governors Trophy at Nassau. Both cars passed into private hands the following year. With only two examples ever made, there had to be a market for properly-produced imitations.

The DBR2 Evocation being sold was built for the vendor in 2006 by ARA Racing of Hertford. Based around a bespoke tubular spaceframe, it is clothed in a glassfibre body and powered by a reconditioned 3.4-litre Jaguar XK DOHC engine. Finished in traditional Aston Martin Green, it features: a suitably trimmed and carpeted cockpit; LMA racing harnesses, and such period touches as an engine-turned alloy fascia and MotoLita wood-rim steering wheel. This stunning-looking vehicle has but 53 miles to its name and, though stored since its creation, is said to have "very good" coachwork, paintwork and trim and "good" engine and transmission. Currently running and driving, it is nonetheless recognised that a degree of recommissioning will be required before this taste of racing Britain can be enjoyed to the full.