Cars 1962-63
See also : Cars Cars of the 1960s Cars II Ferrari LWB to GTO Ford and Shelby British cars Aston Martin Jaguar Italy
Chronology : 1962
Chronology : 1962
1962 The Two Series of the 250 GTO
2018 SOLD for $ 48M including premium
It is not enough to be the prettiest berlinetta of its time to win Grand Touring competitions, especially when Jaguar, Aston Martin and Shelby apply ambitious development programs. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB is no longer competitive with its oblique front that lifts at 250 km/h.
A team around Giotto Bizzarrini designs a low body with a tapered front hood. To facilitate the homologation, the new chassis has the same size as the SWB. The studies are validated in wind tunnel. The lowered engine remains a 3-liter Colombo V12 while incorporating several improvements from the 250 TR.
Thus was born the 250 GTO at the beginning of 1962. 33 cars are built according to this model. They immediately dominate endurance and hill competitions. However Bizzarrini had left the company after a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari.
The technological challenge goes on. The approval of the 250 LM will be refused. While waiting for better days, Ferrari requires Mauro Forghieri and his team to modify the 250 GTO according to the aerodynamic improvement of the LM. Three 250 GTO Series II are built in 1964.
Four Series I cars are upgraded in 1964 to the Series II specifications. One of them is estimated $ 45M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 25, lot 247. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This car was in 1962 the third GTO produced. Tested in May by Phil Hill at the Targa Florio, it is sold by Ferrari a few days later to a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who gets excellent results in hill climbing with this car. In April 1964 Corrado Ferlaino leads it to First In Class in the Targa Florio, thus brilliantly validating the transitory concept of the Series II.
The price of a Ferrari 250 GTO depends on its results in period and on its crash history. The car for sale was not damaged. For reasons of preservation, the original engine was removed a few years ago. It is sold with the car.
In May 2018 a price of $ 70M in a private transaction was reported for a 250 GTO with a better race history including the victory at the 1964 Tour de France.
A team around Giotto Bizzarrini designs a low body with a tapered front hood. To facilitate the homologation, the new chassis has the same size as the SWB. The studies are validated in wind tunnel. The lowered engine remains a 3-liter Colombo V12 while incorporating several improvements from the 250 TR.
Thus was born the 250 GTO at the beginning of 1962. 33 cars are built according to this model. They immediately dominate endurance and hill competitions. However Bizzarrini had left the company after a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari.
The technological challenge goes on. The approval of the 250 LM will be refused. While waiting for better days, Ferrari requires Mauro Forghieri and his team to modify the 250 GTO according to the aerodynamic improvement of the LM. Three 250 GTO Series II are built in 1964.
Four Series I cars are upgraded in 1964 to the Series II specifications. One of them is estimated $ 45M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 25, lot 247. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This car was in 1962 the third GTO produced. Tested in May by Phil Hill at the Targa Florio, it is sold by Ferrari a few days later to a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who gets excellent results in hill climbing with this car. In April 1964 Corrado Ferlaino leads it to First In Class in the Targa Florio, thus brilliantly validating the transitory concept of the Series II.
The price of a Ferrari 250 GTO depends on its results in period and on its crash history. The car for sale was not damaged. For reasons of preservation, the original engine was removed a few years ago. It is sold with the car.
In May 2018 a price of $ 70M in a private transaction was reported for a 250 GTO with a better race history including the victory at the 1964 Tour de France.
1962 Opening the Club of the 250 GTO Owners
2014 SOLD 38 M$ including premium
The Ferrari 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) is the skilled union of the 250GT SWB chassis and of the 250TR engine, designed to win endurance and hill climbing competitions. It was coachworked as a berlinetta by Scaglietti. Its perfect geometry has also been improved after wind tunnel tests.
39 cars were manufactured between 1962 and 1964, which is a high figure for a commercial upscale Ferrari. Some have been modified. 28 units remain with the 3-litre engine from its original design.
Extremely competitive without being exceptionally rare, the 250 GTO is the preferred model of the auto enthusiasts from the high society, functioning as an informal club with media covered exclusive meetings. Cars are transmitted like a talisman by each owner to his handpicked successor.
For this reason, the history of the 250 GTO at auction is null. Sports Car Digest retrieved two events: a car unpaid after it was sold by Sotheby's in Monaco in 1990 and another one unsold by Brooks at Gstaad in 2000.
The sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge on August 14 of a 250 GTO is a great event in the history of automobile auctions. Coming from a deceased estate, it had not changed hands for nearly half a century and is offered without reserve, lot 3.
This car has accumulated an interesting competition record after a bad start. Made in 1962, it was much damaged at Montlhéry on 7 October of the same year, killing one of its co-owners the ski champion Henri Oreiller. Repaired in 1963 at a time when the production chain of the 250 GTO was in full operation, it is an authentic unit.
POST SALE COMMENT
Such an event was expected for many years: a Ferrari 250 GTO sold at auction! The result, $ 38 million including premium, enters the price range expected by Bonhams.
39 cars were manufactured between 1962 and 1964, which is a high figure for a commercial upscale Ferrari. Some have been modified. 28 units remain with the 3-litre engine from its original design.
Extremely competitive without being exceptionally rare, the 250 GTO is the preferred model of the auto enthusiasts from the high society, functioning as an informal club with media covered exclusive meetings. Cars are transmitted like a talisman by each owner to his handpicked successor.
For this reason, the history of the 250 GTO at auction is null. Sports Car Digest retrieved two events: a car unpaid after it was sold by Sotheby's in Monaco in 1990 and another one unsold by Brooks at Gstaad in 2000.
The sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge on August 14 of a 250 GTO is a great event in the history of automobile auctions. Coming from a deceased estate, it had not changed hands for nearly half a century and is offered without reserve, lot 3.
This car has accumulated an interesting competition record after a bad start. Made in 1962, it was much damaged at Montlhéry on 7 October of the same year, killing one of its co-owners the ski champion Henri Oreiller. Repaired in 1963 at a time when the production chain of the 250 GTO was in full operation, it is an authentic unit.
POST SALE COMMENT
Such an event was expected for many years: a Ferrari 250 GTO sold at auction! The result, $ 38 million including premium, enters the price range expected by Bonhams.
1962 The Shark Nose Berlinetta
2015 SOLD for $ 16.5M including premium
Enzo Ferrari would never cooperate with Carrozzeria Bertone. The reason is simple: this workshop in Turin had contributed to the success of the Giulietta range of Ferrari's arch-rival Alfa Romeo.
Enzo Ferrari had also friends. When he developed the chassis 250 GT SWB in 1959, he accepted that one of the first units should be reserved to Dr. Wax. This Italian industrialist loved the spectacular coachworks. Rather than going to regular contributors of Ferrari, Pinin Farina and Scaglietti, he selected Bertone for creating a one-off berlinetta.
The choice was significant. Nuccio Bertone was one of the visionaries of the Italian design. The Wax Ferrari was conceived by Giorgetto Giugiaro, hired in the same year by Bertone at the age of 21, who was to become one of the most famous designers.
This first SWB by Bertone and Giugiaro already displays their vision to create berlinettas with the aggressive shapes of a Grand Prix car. This car was sold for $ 7M including premium by RM Auctions on November 21, 2013.
In 1962 Nuccio Bertone purchases a 250 GT SWB chassis with the target to demonstrate to Enzo Ferrari that he is able to create a product competing through its modernity with Pinin Farina's classic design.
In the previous year in Grand Prix, the Ferrari 156 F1 had inaugurated a new angular shape with a shark nose front side. From drawings by Giugiaro, Bertone built a berlinetta inspired by the 156 F1. It may be considered in its daring as a precursor of the road supercars.
Bertone exhibits his car extensively throughout 1962 but fails to be entrusted with additional chassis by Enzo Ferrari. Each one of the two Berlinetta Speciale bodied by Bertone will remain unique. Both have been certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2009.
The 1962 Speciale is estimated $ 14M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 15, lot 039. Here is the link to the press release.
Enzo Ferrari had also friends. When he developed the chassis 250 GT SWB in 1959, he accepted that one of the first units should be reserved to Dr. Wax. This Italian industrialist loved the spectacular coachworks. Rather than going to regular contributors of Ferrari, Pinin Farina and Scaglietti, he selected Bertone for creating a one-off berlinetta.
The choice was significant. Nuccio Bertone was one of the visionaries of the Italian design. The Wax Ferrari was conceived by Giorgetto Giugiaro, hired in the same year by Bertone at the age of 21, who was to become one of the most famous designers.
This first SWB by Bertone and Giugiaro already displays their vision to create berlinettas with the aggressive shapes of a Grand Prix car. This car was sold for $ 7M including premium by RM Auctions on November 21, 2013.
In 1962 Nuccio Bertone purchases a 250 GT SWB chassis with the target to demonstrate to Enzo Ferrari that he is able to create a product competing through its modernity with Pinin Farina's classic design.
In the previous year in Grand Prix, the Ferrari 156 F1 had inaugurated a new angular shape with a shark nose front side. From drawings by Giugiaro, Bertone built a berlinetta inspired by the 156 F1. It may be considered in its daring as a precursor of the road supercars.
Bertone exhibits his car extensively throughout 1962 but fails to be entrusted with additional chassis by Enzo Ferrari. Each one of the two Berlinetta Speciale bodied by Bertone will remain unique. Both have been certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2009.
The 1962 Speciale is estimated $ 14M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 15, lot 039. Here is the link to the press release.
1962 The Heritage of Carroll Shelby
2016 SOLD for $ 13.7M including premium
Carroll Shelby wisely stops competition for health reasons in 1960. He can now focus on a visionary project : to create a car that will be capable of defeating the Europeans. He will succeed where the major American brands had failed.
The basic idea of Shelby was simple : assemble a powerful engine on a small chassis. The difficulty of reaching the suitable stability needed all the experience of a champion. Going small had also ensured the success of Porsche.
Shelby is not yet an entrepreneur. He looks worldwide for the chassis and the engine that will best meet his request.
In England, the small AC Cars company is facing a major issue : the engine used on their AC Ace chassis is no longer manufactured. Shelby's project comes at the right time to start a cooperation. Ford is working at the same time on the development of lightweight engines. Shelby borrows an AC chassis and has a V-8 engine 221 cubic inches assembled by Ford in Dearborn. The feasibility is assured.
Shelby must now work out the technical details. He requires the modifications to the AC chassis that will generate the AC Cobra, and chooses a Ford V-8 260 cubic inches engine (4.2 liters). The prototype is assembled in February 1962 in California by Shelby helped by Dean Moon.
This prototype named CSX 2000 from its chassis number enters the legend. It serves both the technical development and the marketing. Shelby does not have the financial means to assemble other cars : his unique prototype is painted in a different color for each presentation to the specialized press in order to suggest that a production line is already operational. The performance of the CSX 2000 pleases Ford. What will follow is a remarkable American success story.
Carroll Shelby had kept the CSX 2000. It is intact and retains traces of the tools from the settings by Shelby and Moon. A friend of Rob Myers, Shelby had required that the CSX 2000 is auctioned by RM after his death. It is offered by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 117. The estimate of the "most important American sports car in history" is not published.
Please watch the video shared by RM.
An image of CSX 2000 taken in 2010 is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Jaydec at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
The basic idea of Shelby was simple : assemble a powerful engine on a small chassis. The difficulty of reaching the suitable stability needed all the experience of a champion. Going small had also ensured the success of Porsche.
Shelby is not yet an entrepreneur. He looks worldwide for the chassis and the engine that will best meet his request.
In England, the small AC Cars company is facing a major issue : the engine used on their AC Ace chassis is no longer manufactured. Shelby's project comes at the right time to start a cooperation. Ford is working at the same time on the development of lightweight engines. Shelby borrows an AC chassis and has a V-8 engine 221 cubic inches assembled by Ford in Dearborn. The feasibility is assured.
Shelby must now work out the technical details. He requires the modifications to the AC chassis that will generate the AC Cobra, and chooses a Ford V-8 260 cubic inches engine (4.2 liters). The prototype is assembled in February 1962 in California by Shelby helped by Dean Moon.
This prototype named CSX 2000 from its chassis number enters the legend. It serves both the technical development and the marketing. Shelby does not have the financial means to assemble other cars : his unique prototype is painted in a different color for each presentation to the specialized press in order to suggest that a production line is already operational. The performance of the CSX 2000 pleases Ford. What will follow is a remarkable American success story.
Carroll Shelby had kept the CSX 2000. It is intact and retains traces of the tools from the settings by Shelby and Moon. A friend of Rob Myers, Shelby had required that the CSX 2000 is auctioned by RM after his death. It is offered by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 117. The estimate of the "most important American sports car in history" is not published.
Please watch the video shared by RM.
An image of CSX 2000 taken in 2010 is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Jaydec at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
2021 SOLD for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's
The penultimate DB4 GT Zagato had been ordered to Aston Martin by a demanding customer with some unique features such as a slightly heavier aluminum gauge for adding robustness, much chrome for protecting the brass components, and special anti-dust brake covers.
In May 1962, before its completion was declared by the factory, the car was entrusted to Roy Salvadori for testing it in a real competition, the BRSCC race at Brands Hatch.
Salvadori, who was a Formula One driver, had a long experience with Aston Martin in endurance racing, entering each year from 1953 to 1961 the 24 hours of Le Mans with a car of that brand. In association with Carroll Shelby, he had been the winner of the 1959 event in a DBR1. That feat accelerated the availability of the shorter wheelbase for both the DB4 GT and the Ferrari berlinetta.
The Brands Hatch test was highly satisfactory. The Zagato finished second overall behind a 250 GTO and first in class.
Fitted with its original engine and keeping most of the original bespoke goodies, it was sold for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 12, 2021, lot 120.
In May 1962, before its completion was declared by the factory, the car was entrusted to Roy Salvadori for testing it in a real competition, the BRSCC race at Brands Hatch.
Salvadori, who was a Formula One driver, had a long experience with Aston Martin in endurance racing, entering each year from 1953 to 1961 the 24 hours of Le Mans with a car of that brand. In association with Carroll Shelby, he had been the winner of the 1959 event in a DBR1. That feat accelerated the availability of the shorter wheelbase for both the DB4 GT and the Ferrari berlinetta.
The Brands Hatch test was highly satisfactory. The Zagato finished second overall behind a 250 GTO and first in class.
Fitted with its original engine and keeping most of the original bespoke goodies, it was sold for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 12, 2021, lot 120.
1962 LWB and SWB
2012 SOLD 8.6 M$ including premium
I previously wrote about the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider: "Two chassis versions existed: LWB (long wheel base) and SWB (short wheel base). These models often come in the auctions and provide opportunities to keep the odds on the favorite version of the market." My article was dealing with the "Competizione" variant.
Since then, both leaders of California summer sales have introduced a 250 GT California Spider in their last minute entries. One of them is the first unit of the model, the other is one of the latest, and viewing them together provides a nice summary of the evolution of the basic variant.
It is no coincidence. Sales of next week will be the greatest car auction meeting of all time, and the first announcements have attracted further pieces of top quality. Less rare than the 250 GTO, the 250 GT California Spyder is somehow the middle-quantity model which is the most greeted by collectors.
For sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 19, the prototype produced in 1957 and bodied by Scaglietti is of course a LWB, since the SWB was not yet launched. It is estimated $ 6M.
My question hereabove was deliberately naive. Fans prefer the SWB, more visually balanced and more stable especially when cornering.
The SWB for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 18, manufactured in 1962, is fitted with the final improvement, the covered headlights. It is illustrated in the article shared by Classic Driver, and is estimated $ 7.5 M.
POST SALE COMMENTS
1
Here is the first result of this micro market study. RM Auctions sold the 1962 SWB $ 7.8 million excluding fees, just above the lower estimate, corresponding to $ 8.6 million after calculating the premium.
2
The LWB was sold exactly at its lower estimate by Gooding, $ 6.6 million including premium.
Since then, both leaders of California summer sales have introduced a 250 GT California Spider in their last minute entries. One of them is the first unit of the model, the other is one of the latest, and viewing them together provides a nice summary of the evolution of the basic variant.
It is no coincidence. Sales of next week will be the greatest car auction meeting of all time, and the first announcements have attracted further pieces of top quality. Less rare than the 250 GTO, the 250 GT California Spyder is somehow the middle-quantity model which is the most greeted by collectors.
For sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 19, the prototype produced in 1957 and bodied by Scaglietti is of course a LWB, since the SWB was not yet launched. It is estimated $ 6M.
My question hereabove was deliberately naive. Fans prefer the SWB, more visually balanced and more stable especially when cornering.
The SWB for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 18, manufactured in 1962, is fitted with the final improvement, the covered headlights. It is illustrated in the article shared by Classic Driver, and is estimated $ 7.5 M.
POST SALE COMMENTS
1
Here is the first result of this micro market study. RM Auctions sold the 1962 SWB $ 7.8 million excluding fees, just above the lower estimate, corresponding to $ 8.6 million after calculating the premium.
2
The LWB was sold exactly at its lower estimate by Gooding, $ 6.6 million including premium.
1962 Ferrari 268 SP
2021 SOLD for $ 7.7M BY RM Sotheby's
The success of a sports car requires the mastery of chassis, engine and aerodynamics. A synergy between Formula 1 and Grand Touring is of course suitable. In 1961, Ferrari goes even further in its expertise by developing new models for the category of sports prototypes (SP).
The name of Dino is attached to these new products, both for the car models and for the engines. A motorist engineer in the company of his father, Dino Ferrari had died at age 24 of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 1956.
The model designation of the Dino range is new. The first two digits denote the displacement in deciliters and the third digit is the number of cylinders.
The press conference of February 1962 unveils an accumulation of wonders. The 156 had dominated the Formula 1 throughout 1961. The new 250 GTO demonstrates Ferrari's full control in Grand Touring. Beside them, Ferrari displays the already known 246 SP along with the 196 SP and 286 SP widening the range of the 6 cylinders, and the very new 248 SP.
Body development for the new prototypes is entrusted to Fantuzzi. The protruding nose is validated by wind tunnel testing. These small lightweight spiders with a very low center of gravity are designed for top speed and endurance.
The experimental phase goes on with an overall total of only six cars. The 248 SP is not powerful enough. Ferrari upgrades the two 248 SP cars into a new standard, 268 SP, embedding one of the rarest Ferrari engines, a V-8 2.6 liters of which only 4 units were made.
One of these cars remains in the 268 SP configuration. It is estimated $ 8M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, 2021, lot 234. Please watch the video prepared by RM before it passed on August 20, 2016, lot 240.
Also in 1962 the only other 248/268 was once again modified, to 196 SP. It passed at RM on August 16, 2019, lot 244.
The name of Dino is attached to these new products, both for the car models and for the engines. A motorist engineer in the company of his father, Dino Ferrari had died at age 24 of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 1956.
The model designation of the Dino range is new. The first two digits denote the displacement in deciliters and the third digit is the number of cylinders.
The press conference of February 1962 unveils an accumulation of wonders. The 156 had dominated the Formula 1 throughout 1961. The new 250 GTO demonstrates Ferrari's full control in Grand Touring. Beside them, Ferrari displays the already known 246 SP along with the 196 SP and 286 SP widening the range of the 6 cylinders, and the very new 248 SP.
Body development for the new prototypes is entrusted to Fantuzzi. The protruding nose is validated by wind tunnel testing. These small lightweight spiders with a very low center of gravity are designed for top speed and endurance.
The experimental phase goes on with an overall total of only six cars. The 248 SP is not powerful enough. Ferrari upgrades the two 248 SP cars into a new standard, 268 SP, embedding one of the rarest Ferrari engines, a V-8 2.6 liters of which only 4 units were made.
One of these cars remains in the 268 SP configuration. It is estimated $ 8M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, 2021, lot 234. Please watch the video prepared by RM before it passed on August 20, 2016, lot 240.
Also in 1962 the only other 248/268 was once again modified, to 196 SP. It passed at RM on August 16, 2019, lot 244.
1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica
2015 SOLD for $ 7.6M by RM Sotheby's
The beautiful Ferrari 400 Superamerica cabriolet arrived too late on the market. This stylish car bodied by Pinin Farina had all the technical qualities to appeal the wealthy amateurs of powerful sports cars, but the road speed limits reduced the enthusiasm for this model which was the most expensive in the catalog of the brand.
Very few 400 Superamerica were assembled on a SWB chassis. The third of these cars, made in 1960, was sold for $ 6.4 million including premium by RM Sotheby's on 14 March 2015.
The seventh car left the factory in 1962. It was exhibited by Ferrari at the Geneva Motor show and then by Chinetti at the New York Auto show. Hopes for a development in that market were disappointed. Only one customer had a desire to own this model: he bought that unit, which was the last.
His name was Gus Stallings. His passion was to push the most powerful cars to their maximum possible speed on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Its 400 Superamerica reached 233 km/h at the end of 1962.
This ultimate 400 Superamerica SWB is estimated $ 7M for sale without reserve by RM Sotheby's in Fort Worth, TX on May 2, lot 222.
Very few 400 Superamerica were assembled on a SWB chassis. The third of these cars, made in 1960, was sold for $ 6.4 million including premium by RM Sotheby's on 14 March 2015.
The seventh car left the factory in 1962. It was exhibited by Ferrari at the Geneva Motor show and then by Chinetti at the New York Auto show. Hopes for a development in that market were disappointed. Only one customer had a desire to own this model: he bought that unit, which was the last.
His name was Gus Stallings. His passion was to push the most powerful cars to their maximum possible speed on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Its 400 Superamerica reached 233 km/h at the end of 1962.
This ultimate 400 Superamerica SWB is estimated $ 7M for sale without reserve by RM Sotheby's in Fort Worth, TX on May 2, lot 222.
1963 Ultimate Laps for Aston Martin
2018 SOLD for $ 21.5M including premium
Aston Martin was brilliant in competition in 1959 but failed in 1960. The owner, David Brown, does not take the risk of losing money. He terminates his competition team while maintaining his development abilities around manager John Wyer, chief engineer Ted Cutting and engine mechanic Tadek Marek.
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It is estimated $ 18M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 24, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It is estimated $ 18M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 24, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
1963 Jaguar E-Type
2017 SOLD for $ 8M by Bonhams
Jaguar targets to compete in GT category by letting the information circulated about an E-Type Lightweight in aluminum alloy. It seems evident a posteriori that this ambition was not a priority. 18 chassis are prepared but only 12 cars are assembled : the prototype raced at Silverstone in May 1962 is followed by the simultaneous production of 11 units in 1963.
Competitors have progressed faster than Jaguar. It is too late. If it had been released one year earlier, the E-Type Lightweight could have gleaned the first places despite the fragility of its engine.
Jaguar did not bet on that production run arguably specially tailored for Briggs Cunningham. Its endurance called for further improvements and the competition with Ferrari's 250P prototypes and 250 GTOs left a reduced place for an outsider. Although they differ from the basic E-Type by the extensive use of aluminum alloy, they are not identified as a special excepted by the S prefix in the chassis number. The factory nevertheless provided a significant support to the owners.
On August 18, 2017, Bonhams sold at lot 52 for $ 8M the second of three E-Type Lightweight purchased new by Team Cunningham. Please watch the video shared by Bonhams.in 2017.
After a limited competition history, it is still equipped with its fragile original 3.8 liter 6 cylinders inline alloy engine. Its only significant changes from new were the replacement of the gearbox, broken in the 8th lap at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1963, and of the hood taken later in the same race to fit another E Lightweight Cunningham that had been slightly damaged.
Jaguar loses its motivation, neglecting to listen to the requests for improvements from its customers.The six unused chassis of the series of 18 will be exhumed in 2014 for a prestige operation.
Competitors have progressed faster than Jaguar. It is too late. If it had been released one year earlier, the E-Type Lightweight could have gleaned the first places despite the fragility of its engine.
Jaguar did not bet on that production run arguably specially tailored for Briggs Cunningham. Its endurance called for further improvements and the competition with Ferrari's 250P prototypes and 250 GTOs left a reduced place for an outsider. Although they differ from the basic E-Type by the extensive use of aluminum alloy, they are not identified as a special excepted by the S prefix in the chassis number. The factory nevertheless provided a significant support to the owners.
On August 18, 2017, Bonhams sold at lot 52 for $ 8M the second of three E-Type Lightweight purchased new by Team Cunningham. Please watch the video shared by Bonhams.in 2017.
After a limited competition history, it is still equipped with its fragile original 3.8 liter 6 cylinders inline alloy engine. Its only significant changes from new were the replacement of the gearbox, broken in the 8th lap at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1963, and of the hood taken later in the same race to fit another E Lightweight Cunningham that had been slightly damaged.
Jaguar loses its motivation, neglecting to listen to the requests for improvements from its customers.The six unused chassis of the series of 18 will be exhumed in 2014 for a prestige operation.
