Main Menu
Car List
Driver List
Road Sports List
Back
Next

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Aston Martin DBS V8
Driver: Robin Hamilton
Engine: 5300cc V8 Aston Martin
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Class: Group 5/GTP (Le Mans)
Date taken: July 1977, paddock, Silverstone
Image Copyright: Robert Brown
Information: Bonhams' website, Motoring News (1979)
Conceived and prepared by Aston Martin specialist Robin Hamilton in 1974, the Aston Martin DBS V8 was first used as a club racer in a mildly modified form. The following year (1975) the car was modified to give more power and conform to Group 4, racing in the AMOC series. For 1976, the car had acquired 4 downdraught Weber cars and was producing nearly 500bhp. Wind tunnel testing at MIRA at the end of the year to lead to a new aerodynamic package later used for the Vantage model. A major sponsorship deal for 1977 saw the car gain more horsepower and the ability to lift its rear end; the outcome was a large rear wing to create more rear down force. The use of the rear wing was contrary to Group 4 homologation rules so it was moved to Group 5. The car was entered for the 1977 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, driven by Robin Hamilton, Dave Preece and Mike Salmon, it qualified last in the G5 class, but showed an impressive top speed of 188mph (302kph) along the Mulsanne Straight. Despite having to conserve the car’s brakes, due to lack of spares, it finished 17th overall and 3rd in class. The car next appeared at the Silverstone 6-hour race in 1979; the body work having undergone major changes. The biggest change was to the engine which now had twin turbochargers, producing a maximum 800bhp, reduced to 650bhp for reliability in long distance races. Driven by David Preece and Derek Bell it finished in a disappointing mid-field position. Le Mans ‘79 was also disappointing with the car lasting less than 3 hours when on of its pistons melted. A major success followed in 1980 when the car, driven by Robin Hamilton, broke the land speed record – for towing a caravan! The car and caravan reached a top speed of 152mph (245kph); gaining the record at an average speed of 125mph (201kph). Bonhams’ sold the car in May 2006 at an Aston Martin Auction
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~