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Ultra-lightweight, with a four-liter version of the DP212 engine set farther back in the chassis and cutting-edge
wind tunnel-tested aerodynamics, the car was piloted by American ace driver Phil Hill, a three-time Le
Mans-winner and the first ever American Formula 1 World Champion, paired with Belgian Grand Prix and
endurance-racing veteran Lucien Bianchi. What the pair achieved is almost unfathomable, clocking a
staggering 198.6 mph along the famed Mulsanne Straight—becoming the first car to officially break the 300
kph barrier at Le Mans.
Following its racing career, DP215 has always enjoyed a well-documented and illustrious chain of enthusiast
owners, who in later years even engaged Ted Cutting himself to consult on and approve the authenticity of the
car’s long-term restoration. The current owners, Neil and Nigel Corner, vintage racing drivers of considerable
renown and expertise, perfected the car’s restoration by reuniting DP215 with its original engine, 400/215/1,
which was separated from the chassis very early in the car’s history but is indeed the very powerplant with
which Phil Hill raced at Le Mans. DP215 is expected to bring $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 when it crosses the
podium at Monterey.
Neil Corner comments
“Ted Cutting designed these project cars and has fully blessed DP215’s restoration. I will always remember
when I asked him what his proudest achievement was during his magnificent career with Aston Martin and he
replied that DP215’s design and its recorded speed at Le Mans eclipsed even his pride in winning the World
Sports Car Championship in 1959 with the DBR1s. This was the fastest speed ever recorded by a front engine
car on the old course at Le Mans.”
“The lines of the car are absolute perfection. You can see where its outstanding maximum speed came from.
What’s more, its performance cannot be overemphasized - from a driving point of view, the acceleration in 2nd
and 3rd gears always caused the hairs on the back of my hand to stand up. The car feels like a thoroughbred
to drive – the steering is delightfully light, the brakes are outstanding for the era, and there’s nothing quite like
the bark of its incredible exhaust note. I’ve driven DP215 everywhere, from rush hour traffic in the busy streets
of Paris to full speed on some of the worlds greatest circuits, and I can attest that its performance is
unbelievable on road or track. I hope that DP215’s next custodian drives and enjoys the car as much as I
have.”
Alain Squindo, Chief Operating Officer, RM Sotheby’s Group adds
“The DP cars are completely one-off competition projects and are essentially on their own level when it comes
to Aston Martin racing royalty. DP215 is the pinnacle of the Works team’s racing development, and the new
owner will acquire a car that is not only extraordinarily special but also more capable of running at the front of
the pack than virtually any other racing car on the market. We’ve had the pleasure of offering some of the
world’s most important Aston Martins at auction, including the record-setting DBR1/1 and the DB4GT
Prototype at Monterey just last year, and we’re tremendously honored to add DP215 to that list.”
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