2017 ASM R1

When David Brown purchased Aston Martin in 1949, one of his ambitions was to develop an endurance motor racing program that would mean that the company would forever be associated with achievements in Motorsport. Some success at national level followed but International wins proved elusive, however, with the DBR1’s introduction in 1956, an outright win at Le Sarthe was David Brown's clear ambition. Three years of development followed, with a number of well-documented setbacks, however, in 1959 the works DBR1s took an overall first (Shelby/Salvadori) and second (Trintignant/Frere) at the Le Mans 24 Hours on their way to securing that year's World Sports Car Championship. David Brown immediately announced that the following year’s efforts were being directed towards Grand Prix cars and at a stroke the DBR1, with only five ever built, became a part of history. Their legendary status never waned and they have rightfully been an object of desire ever since.

Some 48 years later, a gentleman by the name of Andrew Soar purchased a fairly well built DBR1 replica by ARA Racing Ltd, however, as an engineer with a great eye for detail, he felt that he could do a better job and consequently, in 2007, AS Motorsport was formed to offer DBR1 replicas built to a much higher standard and to each customer's individual specification.

Known as the ASM R1 Le Mans, the cars are built around a bespoke space-frame chassis clothed in accurately dimensioned, hand-laid GRP bodywork with aluminium boot, bonnet and doors and in most cases finished in Aston Martin Racing Green. Suspension is fully rose-jointed with a de Dion rear utilising a lateral Watts linkage and trailing arm set up. Fully adjustable coil-over dampers all round, disc brakes all round, cable-run handbrake, and 16” painted wire wheels as standard with ‘knock on’ spinners. Motivation is normally provided by a 3.4-litre Jaguar XK straight-six with twin SU carburettors mated to the customer’s choice of gearbox and a Cosworth LSD.

The standard powerplant is a rebuilt 3.4-litre Jaguar XK straight-six breathing through twin SU carburettors. With an approximate weight of just 975kg, even the standard engine provides considerable performance, with ASM's 3.4-litre units capable of around 200bhp depending upon specification.

146 HLU was completed in 2017, looking slightly different from how it presents today. It's fitted with a Jaguar 3.4-litre straight-six, which was fully stripped and rebuilt by marque specialists VSE to Club Sport specification during the car's construction. A dyno printout records an output comfortably north of 200bhp, giving this R1 a particularly appealing combination of performance and delightfully rowdy soundtrack. Needless to say, 207bhp in a car that weighs just over 950kg is a package that will be serious fun. In terms of safety, the car benefits from an MSA-approved electronic fire suppression system and marshals power isolation button as added precautions.

The car was purchased by its current owner from Aston Martin specialists McGurk in March 2026 on c.2,790 miles from new. As it had only covered a mere 300 miles between 2020 and 2025, it was subjected to a thorough recommissioning as our vendor wanted it running and driving to the standard expected of such a special car, and a comprehensive programme of upgrades, adjustments and improvements followed. Upon completion, it’s fair to say the shakedown has been equally thorough as it embarked upon a 2,000-mile road trip to Monaco and back, completing the journey without missing a beat. Such was the success of its long maiden voyage, the car was further enjoyed on additional European tours throughout the summer.

In just over 6 months of ownership this R1, and ASM overall have made a phenomenally good impression. In our vendor’s ownership the car has covered more than 6,000 trouble-free miles since March 2026, an impressive rate of use that says much about both its mechanical condition and the enjoyment it provides. So enamoured has the vendor become with the R1 that it brings us to the reason for sale, he has now commissioned a brand-new, all aluminium example from ASM to his own specification, thus 146 HLU is making space for the new addition.

It’s not just the mechanicals that have been enhanced and improved in our vendor’s ownership, the attention to detail continues throughout. The interior has been re-trimmed by Pickerings of Bradford in weatherproof period-style cloth and green hide, giving the cabin an appropriately authentic appearance without compromising its usability. Prior to photography, the car returned to ASM to have its engine dressing kit fitted, recreating the visual character of period Aston Martin competition engines. Expel paint protection film protects the front of the car, while the only noted cosmetic blemish is a small, approximately 1cm heat craze on the nearside wing caused by exhaust heat, which has subsequently been ceramic coated to prevent further heat soak.

Presented in excellent condition with an exemplary leather-bound history file, this is an R1 that has been properly enjoyed rather than simply displayed. It combines the visual drama of one of the greatest sports racing cars ever built with modern construction, substantially more accessible running costs and the ability to cover serious distances. The 6,000-mile addition to the odometer in just 6 months is perhaps the best testimony to its credentials.

For those who admire the DBR1 but want something they can hop in and drive, this ASM R1 Le Mans makes the finest proposition. It looks every inch the part, sounds magnificent and weighs about half of most modern ‘lightweight’ performance cars. It offers a direct driving experience so seldom found in more modern machinery, and arguably most importantly, this particular example has already demonstrated that it is ready to continue being used as intended.

The fact that its next custodian will effectively be inheriting the benefit of the recent recommissioning, while the current owner has already ordered his replacement, makes this an especially appealing opportunity to acquire an ASM R1 Le Mans that is ready to be enjoyed from day one. Any and all inspections are highly recommended, it certainly needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Transmission: MANUAL 5 SPEED