Cars 1958-1959
Except otherwise stated, all results below include the premium.
See also : Cars 1950s California Spider Aston Martin
Chronology : 1959
See also : Cars 1950s California Spider Aston Martin
Chronology : 1959
Ferrari 250 GT California Spider
Intro
Concerned about competition, Enzo Ferrari was not interested in convertibles, but he could not ignore these sports cars that will be necessary to the profitability of his business. He includes in his catalog in 1957 the Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet which will bring a great commercial success. In the same year, the improvement of the 250 GT chassis is primarily intended for competition berlinettas with the model later known as TdF.
Two dealers, Von Neumann in California and Chinetti in New York, considers that the new Ferraris do not respond to the desires of the American market. The Cabriolet Pinin Farina targets a clientele of billionaires and should not be compared with a sports car. The berlinetta interposes its hardtop between its seaters and the Californian sun. It is even more unfortunate when considering that celebrities enjoy the convertibles for better agglutinating the paparazzi around the luxury and elegance of their privileged lives.
Both manage to convince Ferrari to assemble a convertible on the new frame, for the wealthy American customers wishing to have a vehicle usable altogether for city and sport.
Enzo remains reluctant but is pragmatic. If Scaglietti, the coachbuilder who was assembling the TdF, does not make this Speciale, the customers will commission him to transform their berlinettas and Ferrari will lose the commercial control of this model.
In December 1957, however, he releases a prototype that meets the demands of his US partners. Scaglietti had used the same chassis model to build a cabriolet, without bringing other technical innovations. Nevertheless this car intended for an American use already includes the option of covered headlamps, prohibited in Italy.
The prototype is delivered in January 1958 to a customer in Florida via Chinetti. It was sold for $ 6.6M by Gooding on August 19, 2012.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model will soon be known as Ferrari 250 GT California Spider.
Scaglietti begins assembling a series in June 1958 with an average rate of two cars per month, without making any other prototype.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model will soon be known as Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
Two dealers, Von Neumann in California and Chinetti in New York, considers that the new Ferraris do not respond to the desires of the American market. The Cabriolet Pinin Farina targets a clientele of billionaires and should not be compared with a sports car. The berlinetta interposes its hardtop between its seaters and the Californian sun. It is even more unfortunate when considering that celebrities enjoy the convertibles for better agglutinating the paparazzi around the luxury and elegance of their privileged lives.
Both manage to convince Ferrari to assemble a convertible on the new frame, for the wealthy American customers wishing to have a vehicle usable altogether for city and sport.
Enzo remains reluctant but is pragmatic. If Scaglietti, the coachbuilder who was assembling the TdF, does not make this Speciale, the customers will commission him to transform their berlinettas and Ferrari will lose the commercial control of this model.
In December 1957, however, he releases a prototype that meets the demands of his US partners. Scaglietti had used the same chassis model to build a cabriolet, without bringing other technical innovations. Nevertheless this car intended for an American use already includes the option of covered headlamps, prohibited in Italy.
The prototype is delivered in January 1958 to a customer in Florida via Chinetti. It was sold for $ 6.6M by Gooding on August 19, 2012.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model will soon be known as Ferrari 250 GT California Spider.
Scaglietti begins assembling a series in June 1958 with an average rate of two cars per month, without making any other prototype.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model will soon be known as Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
1
1958
2019 SOLD for $ 10M by Gooding
Built in November 1958, a California Spider was sold for $ 8.8M by RM on January 18, 2014 and for $ 10M by Gooding on August 16, 2019, lot 44. It is driven by David Gooding in the video shared by the auction house.
2
1958
2013 SOLD for $ 8.25M by Gooding
A 250 GT LWB California Spider was sold for $ 8.25M by Gooding on January 18, 2013.
It is one of the last units of the first full year of production, 1958, and has retained its original equipment ("matching numbers"). Restored in 2012 by one of the best specialists, Dennison International, it was then shown with the insistence of a star: it gleaned trophies at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach and the Ferrari Club of America, and was certified by Ferrari Classiche.
The model is remarkably elegant, but this unit is particularly spectacular, viewed from the outside with its unusual midnight blue paint, and from inside with its luxurious leather.
The 14th and last California Spider of the first production was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 339. Its engine is in matching numbers. It is accompanied by a color matched red hardtop.
It is one of the last units of the first full year of production, 1958, and has retained its original equipment ("matching numbers"). Restored in 2012 by one of the best specialists, Dennison International, it was then shown with the insistence of a star: it gleaned trophies at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach and the Ferrari Club of America, and was certified by Ferrari Classiche.
The model is remarkably elegant, but this unit is particularly spectacular, viewed from the outside with its unusual midnight blue paint, and from inside with its luxurious leather.
The 14th and last California Spider of the first production was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 339. Its engine is in matching numbers. It is accompanied by a color matched red hardtop.
3
1959 Competizione
2017 SOLD for $ 18M by RM Sotheby's
Designed on the 250 GT chassis as a cabriolet to please American customers, the California Spider (originally Spyder) was not expected by Ferrari to compete in endurance racing against the berlinetta nicknamed TdF built on the same chassis.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from complete interior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It was sold for $ 18M from a lower estimate of $ 14M by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017, lot 141.
Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from complete interior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It was sold for $ 18M from a lower estimate of $ 14M by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017, lot 141.
Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
4
1959 Competizione
2016 SOLD for $ 18M by Gooding
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider in the wheel base later identified as LWB is a series of 50 sports cars produced to please American customers between 1957 and 1960. The SWB is its successor. The brand continually works to improve its products and remains attentive to specific needs, which can create significant disparities from one vehicle to another.
Nine 'LWB' were originally built for competition with a lightweight body in aluminum alloy. A California Spider 'LWB' Competizione built in 1959 was sold for $ 18M on August 20, 2016 by Gooding, lot 033. It is illustrated in the post shared by Forbes.
The settings of this model had been specially effective, including some engine components from the Testa Rossa to achieve a compression ratio of 9.8: 1, the highest of all the LWB, and a power of 275 hp about 50 hp over the basic model. Its features include from the origin the disc brakes, a rarity at that time, and its headlights are covered.
Sold to Chinetti for George Reed who was Ferrari's agent in Illinois and Wisconsin, it was raced with some parsimony until 1964 and remains in a matching numbers configuration for all its major elements.
This car is exceptional when considering that it is the best performing from all the LWB and that only three SWB California Spider Competizione were later assembled.
In August 2010, Gooding sold for $ 7.3M a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione of 1959.
Nine 'LWB' were originally built for competition with a lightweight body in aluminum alloy. A California Spider 'LWB' Competizione built in 1959 was sold for $ 18M on August 20, 2016 by Gooding, lot 033. It is illustrated in the post shared by Forbes.
The settings of this model had been specially effective, including some engine components from the Testa Rossa to achieve a compression ratio of 9.8: 1, the highest of all the LWB, and a power of 275 hp about 50 hp over the basic model. Its features include from the origin the disc brakes, a rarity at that time, and its headlights are covered.
Sold to Chinetti for George Reed who was Ferrari's agent in Illinois and Wisconsin, it was raced with some parsimony until 1964 and remains in a matching numbers configuration for all its major elements.
This car is exceptional when considering that it is the best performing from all the LWB and that only three SWB California Spider Competizione were later assembled.
In August 2010, Gooding sold for $ 7.3M a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione of 1959.
5
1959 Competizione
2021 SOLD for $ 10.8M by Gooding
The California Spider Competizione cannot be considered as a separate variety. They were not supported in racing by the brand. Being assembled by hand by Scaglietti, they accepted the specific requirements of the customers. Most of them were delivered to the USA.
An LWB spider was assembled in 1959 with many competition features for an Italian amateur racing driver, replacing a slightly damaged 1956 competition TdF berlinetta. The spider was mostly raced in local hill climbs in 1959 and 1960 and finished also 5th overall at the 1959 Monza Coppa InterEuropa.
Its state of the art components include a one-off stylish steel body, the latest version of the Colombo V-12, a heat tolerant gearbox, a cold air box, a long range 136 liter fuel tank, a quick release fuel filler, and among the factory standard options the covered headlamps and the highly rare removable hardtop.
This bespoke spider retains its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox and is accompanied by its hardtop. It has been repainted in its original Italian colors, red with white and green central stripe. It was sold for $ 10.8M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 36. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release.
The TdF was sold for $ 5.7M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2016, lot 232.
An LWB spider was assembled in 1959 with many competition features for an Italian amateur racing driver, replacing a slightly damaged 1956 competition TdF berlinetta. The spider was mostly raced in local hill climbs in 1959 and 1960 and finished also 5th overall at the 1959 Monza Coppa InterEuropa.
Its state of the art components include a one-off stylish steel body, the latest version of the Colombo V-12, a heat tolerant gearbox, a cold air box, a long range 136 liter fuel tank, a quick release fuel filler, and among the factory standard options the covered headlamps and the highly rare removable hardtop.
This bespoke spider retains its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox and is accompanied by its hardtop. It has been repainted in its original Italian colors, red with white and green central stripe. It was sold for $ 10.8M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 36. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release.
The TdF was sold for $ 5.7M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2016, lot 232.
6
1959
2015 SOLD for $ 8.5M by RM Sotheby's
An LWB is released in 1959 from factory to be sold to an Italian aristocrat. This spider includes some refinements that make it one of the prettiest units of the series. Maintained throughout in matching numbers, it was sold for $ 8.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 118.
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Prima Serie
2022 SOLD for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's
Ferrari's GT 250 chassis with a V12 engine is at first intended to improve the Europa coupe. A 250 GT Europa prototype built by Pinin Farina is exhibited at the Salon de l'Auto in Paris in 1954.
Pinin Farina is more motivated by development than by production. In 1956 he leaves to Boano the first attempt to industrialize his design for the 250 GT coupe. Encouraged by the success of this 250 GT, Boano builds the very first 250 GT cabriolet that comes on display at the Salon de l'Automobile in Geneva.
These motor shows perfectly meet their target of offering to the manufacturers the reactions of the public. Pinin Farina and Chinetti observe the keen interest generated by the Boano convertible but their vision is different. Chinetti is aiming for a spectacular car that will appeal Hollywood and the jet set. Pinin Farina imagines a luxury cabriolet for demanding customers.
Both projects are accepted by Ferrari. The California Spider is built by Scaglietti on a Pinin Farina design. The Prima Serie cabriolet is a long series of one off designed and manufactured by Pinin Farina, with small differences from one car to another. The price tags leave no doubt : the cabriolet is the high end.
Motor shows continue to display the progress of automotive brands. The 8th Prima Serie car is exhibited in 1957 at the Salone dell'Automobile in Torino. It was sold for $ 6.8M by Bonhams on August 14, 2014, lot 5.
Made in 1958, the 30th Prima Serie car is sent back to the factory for display at the Paris Motor Show by its first owner the count Volpi, a gentleman driver and racing manager who was the son of the founder of the Venice Film Festival.
Re-united from 1996 with its engine in matching numbers and fitted with covered headlamps, chrome side-vents, and bumperettes, it was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 258.
In the long pre-series phase of the luxury 250 GT convertible, 40 Prima Serie cars have been produced. The Seconda Serie unveiled at the 1958 Paris salon is the industrial phase that follows from 1959.
Pinin Farina is more motivated by development than by production. In 1956 he leaves to Boano the first attempt to industrialize his design for the 250 GT coupe. Encouraged by the success of this 250 GT, Boano builds the very first 250 GT cabriolet that comes on display at the Salon de l'Automobile in Geneva.
These motor shows perfectly meet their target of offering to the manufacturers the reactions of the public. Pinin Farina and Chinetti observe the keen interest generated by the Boano convertible but their vision is different. Chinetti is aiming for a spectacular car that will appeal Hollywood and the jet set. Pinin Farina imagines a luxury cabriolet for demanding customers.
Both projects are accepted by Ferrari. The California Spider is built by Scaglietti on a Pinin Farina design. The Prima Serie cabriolet is a long series of one off designed and manufactured by Pinin Farina, with small differences from one car to another. The price tags leave no doubt : the cabriolet is the high end.
Motor shows continue to display the progress of automotive brands. The 8th Prima Serie car is exhibited in 1957 at the Salone dell'Automobile in Torino. It was sold for $ 6.8M by Bonhams on August 14, 2014, lot 5.
Made in 1958, the 30th Prima Serie car is sent back to the factory for display at the Paris Motor Show by its first owner the count Volpi, a gentleman driver and racing manager who was the son of the founder of the Venice Film Festival.
Re-united from 1996 with its engine in matching numbers and fitted with covered headlamps, chrome side-vents, and bumperettes, it was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 258.
In the long pre-series phase of the luxury 250 GT convertible, 40 Prima Serie cars have been produced. The Seconda Serie unveiled at the 1958 Paris salon is the industrial phase that follows from 1959.
1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
2023 SOLD for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's
The America range begins in the early 1950s. Ferrari then understands that power and speed contribute to the prestige of the wealthy customers outside the closed world of competition. The jet set also enjoys a car that offers some unique features. The design and make of such small variants is a specialty of Pinin Farina.
The early America road cars are adaptations of the competition models. Ferrari increases this business by launching in 1954 the design of a road car equipped with a V-12 5-liter Lampredi engine. With a sense for marketing this 410 is named Superamerica. The targeted clientele is the wealthy American and Italian industrialists.
From 1955 to 1959 Ferrari produces 34 units of the 410 Superamerica divided into three series differentiating the production periods. Most of them are coupes.
This 410 is the fastest road car of its time. The production of this high-end model is limited to about one chassis per month. Pinin Farina is the preferred coach builder without having an exclusivity.
The nearly simultaneous release of the 410 Superamerica coupe and of the 250 GT berlinetta significantly improves Ferrari's high-end commercial offer.
A Superamerica Series II coupe bought new in 1957 by the Shah of Iran for use by Princess Soraya was sold for $ 5.1M by Gooding in August 2015.
The Series III of twelve units in a shortened wheelbase and with a revised engine and coachwork is the culmination of luxury and also of selling price of the 410 Superamerica. The next release will be the 400 Superamerica. Their competitor in open body is the 250 GT cabriolet Series I followed by its long awaited industrialization as Series II.
A Series III coupe built by Pinin Farina in 1959 with the desirable variant of the covered headlights was sold for $ 5.3M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2017, lot 249. It retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle.
It passed at the same auction house on on August 14, 2021, lot 337. In the mean time it has been returned to its factory configuration including a nero tropicale finish and beige leather by RM Auto Restoration and won first in class at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's. It was sold for $ 6.6M, again by RM Sotheby's, on August 19, 2023, lot 345.
The early America road cars are adaptations of the competition models. Ferrari increases this business by launching in 1954 the design of a road car equipped with a V-12 5-liter Lampredi engine. With a sense for marketing this 410 is named Superamerica. The targeted clientele is the wealthy American and Italian industrialists.
From 1955 to 1959 Ferrari produces 34 units of the 410 Superamerica divided into three series differentiating the production periods. Most of them are coupes.
This 410 is the fastest road car of its time. The production of this high-end model is limited to about one chassis per month. Pinin Farina is the preferred coach builder without having an exclusivity.
The nearly simultaneous release of the 410 Superamerica coupe and of the 250 GT berlinetta significantly improves Ferrari's high-end commercial offer.
A Superamerica Series II coupe bought new in 1957 by the Shah of Iran for use by Princess Soraya was sold for $ 5.1M by Gooding in August 2015.
The Series III of twelve units in a shortened wheelbase and with a revised engine and coachwork is the culmination of luxury and also of selling price of the 410 Superamerica. The next release will be the 400 Superamerica. Their competitor in open body is the 250 GT cabriolet Series I followed by its long awaited industrialization as Series II.
A Series III coupe built by Pinin Farina in 1959 with the desirable variant of the covered headlights was sold for $ 5.3M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2017, lot 249. It retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle.
It passed at the same auction house on on August 14, 2021, lot 337. In the mean time it has been returned to its factory configuration including a nero tropicale finish and beige leather by RM Auto Restoration and won first in class at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's. It was sold for $ 6.6M, again by RM Sotheby's, on August 19, 2023, lot 345.
1959 Ferrari Interim Berlinetta
2015 SOLD for $ 8.5M by Bonhams
The closed berlinetta body is a great achievement for Ferrari, highly effective in the Tour de France to the point that the 250 GT LWB receives the nickname TdF. In 1959, the decisive improvement is the SWB chassis. Ferrari will equip it like its predecessor as berlinettas or convertibles with a few cars in the Competizione configuration.
The new Berlinetta SWB is revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October 1959. Its body designed by Pinin Farina was defined for several months, but the Italian brand could not wait ! Between April and September 1959, seven LWB chassis were fitted with a bodywork based on the new SWB design.
The most visible difference in the interim berlinetta compared to the TdF is the shortening of the rear part of the side window. The adjustments of dimensions were made by Scaglietti.
The fifth interim berlinetta is coachworked by Scaglietti in alloy in the Competizione configuration. It finished third in the 1959 Tour de France. Its restoration was completed in 2014 to the highest current standards of quality approved by Ferrari Classiche and it started a new career as a star in the Concours d'Elegance.
This transitional Ferrari was sold for $ 8.5M by Bonhams on August 14, 2015, lot 56. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The new Berlinetta SWB is revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October 1959. Its body designed by Pinin Farina was defined for several months, but the Italian brand could not wait ! Between April and September 1959, seven LWB chassis were fitted with a bodywork based on the new SWB design.
The most visible difference in the interim berlinetta compared to the TdF is the shortening of the rear part of the side window. The adjustments of dimensions were made by Scaglietti.
The fifth interim berlinetta is coachworked by Scaglietti in alloy in the Competizione configuration. It finished third in the 1959 Tour de France. Its restoration was completed in 2014 to the highest current standards of quality approved by Ferrari Classiche and it started a new career as a star in the Concours d'Elegance.
This transitional Ferrari was sold for $ 8.5M by Bonhams on August 14, 2015, lot 56. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1959 Aston Martin DP199
2017 SOLD for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's
Everything goes very well for Aston Martin. Unveiled in September 1958 the new grand tourer DB4 will be a success. By winning for the first time at Le Mans in 1959 with the DBR1 the British brand also takes the FIA title of world sports-car champion.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 147.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 147.
