VIN: the works Aston Martin AMR1 chassis 01
History of chassis AMR1/01
Chassis 01 was the AMR1 prototype, a car Aston Martin did not expect to race. However, when chassis 02 was destroyed in February 1989 at a Donington test session, the firm lost considerable development time and were forced to prepare 01 for active duty.
Aston Martin missed the season-opener at Suzuka on April 9th (and incurred a $250,000 fine from the FIA) but did attend the official World Sportscar Championship test at Dijon on May 4th. Engine reliability would be one of Aston’s strong points during 1989 but the team blew a pair of their six-litre motors on the first two days at Dijon.
The car ran strongly on day three, but it was clear the high downforce package needed considerable refinement.
At the Dijon 480km race on May 21st, there had not been sufficient time to make any major changes; the AMR1 was still in need of test miles to improve handling and aerodynamics.
On a positive note, the Callaway-prepared engines were running very well.
David Leslie and Brian Redman drove chassis 01 at Dijon and qualified 24th of 36 starters. They were set for a solid 16th place finish until the final three laps when Leslie entered an advanced state of heat exhaustion and dropped to 17th overall (14th in the C1 class).
Chassis 01 was then taken to Le Mans for the annual 24 Hour race over the weekend of June 10th and 11th. It was driven by Brian Redman, Costas Los and Michael Roe.
A second AMR1 (chassis 03) was completed at the circuit. Amid the rush to complete 03, there had been no time to test the low downforce package and the AMR1s were 20mph down on top speed compared to the front runners.
Chassis 01 qualified 27th and ran at a conservative pace throughout the race. It was delayed by a broken exhaust and damaged rosejoint (following a puncture) but otherwise ran reliably.
Redman, Los and Roe finished a creditable eleventh overall and tenth in the C1 class.
Over the next few weeks, Aston Martin Racing produced two more AMR1s that were progressively lighter and more powerful. Considerable progress was also made on the suspension and, by the middle of summer, the AMR1 became a regular top ten finisher.
Chassis 01 was retired from active duty after Le Mans.
It was the only AMR1 retained by Aston Martin.
Notable History
Aston Martin Racing
White, blue and red Mobil 1 livery
21/05/1989 WSC Dijon 480km (D. Leslie / B. Redman) 17th oa, 14th C1 class (#18)
11/06/1989 IND Le Mans 24 Hours (B. Redman / C. Los / M. Roe) 11th oa, 10th C1 class (#18)
Retained by Aston Martin
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Aston Martin - https://www.astonmartin.com
