2013 Evanta Aston Martin DBR1

The Aston Martin DBR2 was a sports racing car built in 1957 as a sibling to the Aston Martin DBR1 from 1956, yet competing in a larger engine capacity group. David Brown's racing department modified the cars with bodies similar to those from the DBR1, except that they were larger and more aerodynamic. These cars would be christened DBR2/1 and DBR2/2. For an engine, the new Tadek Marek-designed 3.7L straight-6 from the newly launched DB4 road car was initially installed. For the 1958 season the engine was enlarged to 3.9 litres, then again with a 4.2 litre engine later in the year. 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.

Due to a 3.0 engine capacity limit introduced for the World Sportscar Championship in 1958, the DBR2 was relegated to non-championship British, European, and American events that permitted the larger capacity cars. 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 more easily with larger engine capacities. George Constantine drove DBR2/1 to victories at Lime Rock and Marlborough before the end of the season.

Today, no-one truly knows the value of the true DBR1 or DBR2 race cars, though in 2012 DBR1/2 Reg XSK 497 was reputedly sold for £20million giving a valuable insight to the desirability and importance of these near priceless machines. This near identical evocation was based upon the aforementioned "XSK 497' Aston Martin that won Le Mans in 1959. The current owner was fortunate enough to visit the car after explaining that he wanted to build a replica car in tribute. Upon visiting he took hundreds upon hundreds of photographs, from which the Evanta Motor Company went about recreating the car.

Our vendor was also fortunate in meeting the owner of one of the four original Aston Martin cars left. He helped with the research for the car and gave our vendor all 15 different pantones to make up the absolute correct Aston Martin Racing Green for the GRP body and the correct almost "duck egg" colour for the frame. The car is fitted with a De-Dion rear suspension and coil over front wishbones, along with disc brakes all-round with 4 pot Girling front calipers and 2 pot rears. Whilst 16" wire wheels are fitted shod with period Michelin tyres.Renowned Jaguar engine specialists VSE supplied and built the car's 3.8 Jaguar powerplant fitted with triple Weber carburettors and mated to a Getrag 5-speed gearbox. Having coved just 200 miles since completion the engine isn't even fully run in yet.

Inside the cockpit the car is almost indistinguishable from the original cars even down to the hand painted crackle finish dashboard, which we are told took dozens of attempts until a satisfactory finish was achieved. The seats were also made in the material and design of the original cars whilst the correct dials and steering wheel were fitted to retain authenticity. The attention to detail on this car is incredible, every image taken of the original car was studied in depth and even blank screws where added to the bodywork to insure the car is as correct as possible to the original.Registered on the V5C as an Evanta Aston Martin DBR1 and presented with a superb history file this is one of the finest replicas we have seen.