Aston Martin

I took this photograph of these two Aston Martins at the Coys International Historic Festival meeting at Silverstone in July 1995.

1995 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the Aston Martin Owners' Club and there was a display of a variety of Aston Martin cars in the AMOC's marquee, but these cars were in another part of the paddock. On the left is the Aston Martin DP215, the only one produced, which was built to compete in the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hour race. The car had a straight-6 Aston Martin 3,996cc engine (later changed to a 4,164cc unit) and was driven at Le Mans by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi but retired in the 4th hour of the race with gearbox problems. On the right is one of only four special lightweight versions of the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, and one of two such cars which were produced in 1961 for John Ogier's Essex Racing team. It raced in the 1961 Le Mans 24 Hour race, driven by Jack Fairman and Bernard Consten, but retired with engine problems at an early stage. It was subsequently driven by Roy Salvadori to third place in the 1961 RAC TT Race at Goodwood.