Aston Martin DP212
Aston Martin DP212 at Silverstone Classic 2011
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| Category | Le Mans Racer Sports car racing |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Aston Martin Lagonda LTD |
| Technical specifications | |
| Chassis | Lightweight tubular steel frame, drilled rectangular box section, magnesium/aluminium alloy streamlined body |
| Suspension (front) | Double (unequal) wishbones and coil springs (modified DB4 GT suspension, with altered bump stop and roll centre) |
| Suspension (rear) |
De Dion system, (from an experimental Lagonda Saloon) Torsion bar springing (off the DBR2), trailing arms and Watt linkage with coil springs |
| Length | 14 ft 6 in (442 cm) |
| Width | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Height | 4 ft 2 in (127 cm) |
| Axle track | 4 ft 6 in (137 cm) |
| Wheelbase | 7 ft 10 in (239 cm) |
| Engine |
Aston Martin 3,996 cc Straight 6, twin overhead cam, twin plug DB4 GT alloy head, 3 twin choke Weber 50 DCO 330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS) at 6,000 rpm, 287 lb·ft (389 N·m) 5,300 rpm 167.8 mph (270.0 km/h), 96 x 92 (B/S), 9.6:1 compression, FR Layout |
| Transmission |
David Brown S532 5 speed synchromesh manual gearbox, in magnesium alloy casing 5-speed Manual, 9" single clutch 3.27 final drive (2.91 in 5th) 7.5" Borg and Beck 3 plate clutch |
| Weight | 2,150 lb (980 kg) dry |
| Tyres | Dunlop |
| Competition history | |
| Notable entrants |
 David Brown
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| Notable drivers |
Graham Hill, Richie Ginther, Mike Salmon, Lucien Bianchi, Jo Schlesser, Tiff Needell, Martin Brundle
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| Debut | 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans |
The Aston Martin DP212 was a prototype sports car developed by Aston Martin for use in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The car was built on the chassis of a DB4 GT, but featured a streamlined body specifically designed to handle the high speeds of Le Mans. It also featured a 4.0-litre Inline-6-cylinder engine, based on the DB4 GT's 3.7-litre Tadek Marek unit. Following its participation at Le Mans, the car was slightly modified to feature a Kamm tail design, which would later be used on the Aston Martin DB6.
At the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the hands of Graham Hill and Richie Ginther the DP212 showed great speed, snatching the lead briefly at the start with Hill driving, completing first lap clear of the field. It then held second place for a while, until delayed by an armature failure. It dropped down the order to retire from 9th place, in the sixth hour (after 79 laps) with a number-six piston failure, caused when an oil pump pipe fractured. The car however, was having high-end stability problems and could not cope with the high speeds at Le Mans.
Soon after, the car underwent wind tunnel tests at M.I.R.A. (Motor Industry Research Association) at Nuneaton, and a rear spoiler was devised. After development the car would return once more, in testing for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans, featuring its new Kamm tail, developed to cope with the high speeds. The car practiced for the race, driven by Lucien Bianchi, Jo Schlesser, Richie Ginther and Bill Kimberley but the car would not compete. Its place would be taken by the newer DP214 and DP215, which effectively replaced DP212.
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Wikipedia