VIN: the works Aston Martin DP212 chassis DP212/1
History of chassis DP212/1
Chassis DP212/1 was the first of four experimental DP Aston Martins built to contest the 1962 and 1963 Le Mans 24 Hour races.
The three subsequent examples (a brace of DP214s and a solitary DP215) were manufactured for the 1963 race while the unique DP212 got the programme rolling at the 1962 event.
Based on uprated DB4 GT components, DP212/1 would run in the four-litre Experimental class devised specially for the 1962 Le Mans race. It variously received a lightened chassis, uprated suspension and brakes, an engine enlarged from 3.7 to 4-litres, a special five-speed gearbox and streamlined magnesium-alloy bodywork.
The car made its debut at the annual Le Mans Test weekend held over April 7th and 8th 1962. It was driven by the French Aston Martin distributor, Jean Kerguen, and his fellow countryman, Jacques Dewez, who raced under the pseudonym ‘Franc’.
Kerguen (the owner of Garage Mirabeau in Paris) had been instrumental in persuading David Brown to return to Le Mans.
Dewez went second fastest on the Saturday (dry) but dropped to seventh on Sunday (wet) by which time the delayed Scuderia Ferrari had arrived. The DP212 ended up with fourth fastest time overall which was good enough for second in the four-litre Prototype class behind the works Ferrari 330 TRI/LM.
For the 24 Hour race (June 23rd and 24th), Kerguen and Dewez reverted to a DB4 GT Zagato. Taking the reins in the DP212 were BRM Formula 1 team-mates, Graham Hill and Richie Ginther.
Hill posted fourth fastest time in practice but, at this stage, grid slots were still allocated according to engine size.
The opening lap saw Hill take the lead from Tony Settember’s fast starting Corvette on the approach to the Dunlop Bridge.
Hill and Olivier Gendebien (Ferrari 330 TRI/LM – another four-litre Le Mans special) then began to pull away from the rest of the field.
Gendebien went past on lap two but the Aston was back in front during the second hour after the Ferrari made an early stop.
The DP212 dropped to fourth when Hill came in for Ginther to take over but it had soon recovered back to second. By this stage, however, the dynamo had ceased to charge.
The decision was taken to try and fix the dynamo before darkness fell. With the repair complete, Hill resumed in 14th position.
The DP212 had risen to ninth overall when a piston failure struck; it transpired an oil pipe had been fractured during the dynamo repair which meant the team’s gallant effort was over.
The DP212 subsequently underwent further wind tunnel testing at MIRA to improve its high speed stability. It was then modified with a Kamm tail, a layout copied for the DP214 and DP215.
As the new DP215 was not ready in time for the 1963 Le Mans Test weekend (April 6th and 7th), DP212/1 was called into action. Driven by Bruce McLaren, Jo Schlesser, Lucien Bianchi and Bill Kimberly, it went fifth fastest overall and third quickest in the over three-litre Prototype class.
Aston Martin quit sportscar racing at the end of 1963 and, in 1964, the DP212 (along with both DP214s) were sold to John Dawnay who became Viscount Downe on the death of his father in December 1965.
Prior to sale, DP212/1 had been rebuilt by Aston Martin with a 4.2-litre 349bhp engine and road registered AYN 212B.
Dawnay kept DP212/1 until 1975 during which time it contested a few minor sprint type events before entering the world of historic racing.
Notable History
David Brown / Aston Martin Lagonda
08/04/1962 IND Le Mans Test (J. Dewez / J. Kerguen) 4th oa, 2nd P4.0 class (#5)
24/06/1962 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (G. Hill / R. Ginther) DNF (#11)
Modified with Kamm tail
07/04/1963 IND Le Mans Test (B. McLaren / J. Schlesser / L. Bianchi / B. Kimberly) 5th oa, 3rd P3.0+ class (#15)
1964 rebuilt with a 4.2-litre engine and road registered AYN 212B
Sold to John Dawnay (Viscount Downe)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Aston Martin - https://www.astonmartin.com
