DB3S / Lagonda
Discussion
I bought some B/W prints of sportcars racing at Silverstone which includes a DB3S.
However on closer inspection the grille and the bodywork look slightly different to that of a DB3S. It's not the original DB3 but somewhere in the distant past I seem to remember talk of a lagonda that raced at this time.
Unfortunately said picture is framed so I can't post the picture on here but I was hoping someone might be able to share some expert knowledge.
However on closer inspection the grille and the bodywork look slightly different to that of a DB3S. It's not the original DB3 but somewhere in the distant past I seem to remember talk of a lagonda that raced at this time.
Unfortunately said picture is framed so I can't post the picture on here but I was hoping someone might be able to share some expert knowledge.
From The Ultimate History of Aston Martin:
David Brown was keen to build a car to beat the Ferraris in international sports car racing, and for that a bigger engine was needed. Willie Watson came up with a 4.5-litre V12 with many similarities to the LB6 six-cylinder he had designed a decade earlier, including the twin-cam cylinder head and his favourite barrel-type crankcase (also a feature of his previous engines for Invictas and pre-war Lagondas). Unlike the LB6, the Lagonda V12 had a light alloy block, dry-sump lubrication, and ‘oversquare’ dimensions with an 82.55mm bore and 69.85mm stroke.
Project 115, the V12 racer, was based on a lengthened DB3S chassis and given a DB3S-style body – but because the new car was to run under the Lagonda banner, the front end was restyled to give the car its own identity.
The V12 was unsuccessful, and John Wyer abandoned it in 1955.
Any idea when the picture was taken? Is it from the 1950s or later?
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Thursday 3rd February 19:40
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Thursday 3rd February 19:41
David Brown was keen to build a car to beat the Ferraris in international sports car racing, and for that a bigger engine was needed. Willie Watson came up with a 4.5-litre V12 with many similarities to the LB6 six-cylinder he had designed a decade earlier, including the twin-cam cylinder head and his favourite barrel-type crankcase (also a feature of his previous engines for Invictas and pre-war Lagondas). Unlike the LB6, the Lagonda V12 had a light alloy block, dry-sump lubrication, and ‘oversquare’ dimensions with an 82.55mm bore and 69.85mm stroke.
Project 115, the V12 racer, was based on a lengthened DB3S chassis and given a DB3S-style body – but because the new car was to run under the Lagonda banner, the front end was restyled to give the car its own identity.
The V12 was unsuccessful, and John Wyer abandoned it in 1955.
Any idea when the picture was taken? Is it from the 1950s or later?
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Thursday 3rd February 19:40
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Thursday 3rd February 19:41
That's an excellent book and I have the DVD to go with it. Well worth searching it out (often see it on e-Bay).
Also, the guys on the owners website are pretty knowledgeable (www.amoc.org).
I've got a signed print (Roy Salvadori) of a DB3S (63 EMU) and wanted to get some more info. The AMOC chaps came up trumps
Also, the guys on the owners website are pretty knowledgeable (www.amoc.org).
I've got a signed print (Roy Salvadori) of a DB3S (63 EMU) and wanted to get some more info. The AMOC chaps came up trumps
Thanks Andrew, I think you may have solved a mystery. The car looks for all intents and purposes like a DB3S but at the same time there are a few details that aren't right.
I'm assuming the picture was early 50's because it's part of a set including Fangio (Lancia D50), Moss (250F), Hawthorn (Ferrari) and Vanwall pit scene which are all that era
I'm assuming the picture was early 50's because it's part of a set including Fangio (Lancia D50), Moss (250F), Hawthorn (Ferrari) and Vanwall pit scene which are all that era
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