Monterey, California, 24 August 2018
This evening in Monterey, California, RM Sotheby’s sold the
one-off 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition
Prototype for $21,455,000 (est. $18m/22m), becoming one of the
most valuable British motor cars sold at auction.
Developed specifically to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans, DP215
was the pinnacle achievement for Aston Martin’s racing program.
The last competition car built during the David Brown era, the car
raced at Le Mans in 1963 with Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi behind
the wheel, where it became the first automobile to break the 300
kph barrier at the event. Restored with the consultation of original
designer Ted Cutting, DP215 has been reunited with its original
engine and a new correct-type gearbox, and was presented in
Monterey by enthusiastic owners Neil and Nigel Corner. After
drawing significant attention in the lead up to the Monterey auction
and during pre-sale exhibition, DP215 was the subject of a ten
minute contest drawing four bidders in the room and on
telephones. However, it was two determined collectors bidding
through RM Sotheby’s specialists who drew gasps from the
packed salesroom as increment-breaking bids were called out in
an attempt to secure the car which eventually sold with applause
to a private collector.
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