Life-sized Aston DBR1 model tipped to top £20,000

| 9 Aug 2012

An Aston Martin DBR1 for £20-25,000? That’s what is being promised for auction-goers at Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival sale on 15 September.

Except all is not quite what it seems – if you buy this phenomenally detailed DBR1, you’re going to have to splash out on a rather large model cabinet as well.

That’s because it is a life-sized representation of the 1959 Le Mans-winning Shelby and Salvadori car.

Presented like a giant Airfix kit, the 1:1 scale model measures 6.35m wide and 3.3m tall and has been hand made by Hertfordshire-based Evanta Motor Company.

Ant Anstead, MD of Evanta Motor Company, said: “Aston Martin’s sole Le Mans win of 1959 is a huge part of British motorsport. The loss of drivers Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and chief engineer Ted Cutting, this year is saddening.

"We wanted to offer a tribute to these three great men, and to such a beautiful and iconic car. And what could be a more fun and fitting tribute than every boy’s dream toy: a life-size model."

The model (or artwork, depending on whether you are planning to get the glue out and construct it), splits into two pieces for transportation and comes with a replica of the Le Mans trophy and an Aston Martin peaked cap signed by both Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori.

Toby Wilson, head of Bonhams' Automobilia Department, added: "This piece of artwork is utterly unique, and the attention to detail is fascinating. It would be a fantastic centre piece to the collection of any racing enthusiast, and would undoubtedly be a great talking point among friends for years to come."