One of the most significant pre-war Aston Martins has come up for the sale for the first time since the 1980s. The 1923 car, technically Bamford & Martin chassis 1915 making it one of their very earliest cars, was designed, lightened and streamlined for a crack at the one hour light car speed record – then held by AC – at Brooklands.
It had a special lightweight body built by the de Havilland aircraft company – and gained its name of Razor Blade by its cockpit being just 18.5in wide – over an inswept chassis, making it reportedly the slimmest ever racing car.
It was powered by a twin overhead cam 16-valve four-pot race engine developed for the 1922 French GP, derived from a Ballot eight and good for 55bhp.
While tyre issues meant it failed to crack the records it was built for in Weybridge, later in the year it did set records for the standing mile and kilometre.
Razor Blade, road registered XO9958, was a regular in competition until it was sold to the Harrah Motor Museum in the USA in the 1950s. It stayed there until the mid-1980s when it was returned to the UK where, though regularly exercised since by its owner, it has been in the care of the Brooklands Museum. It may also have been seen when on loan to the Bentley Wild Fowl Park and Motor Museum in 1987 or the Coventry Museum of Transport in the 1990s.
Razor Blade is being sold by pre-war Aston specialist Ecurie Bertelli, whose MD Robert Blakemore said: ‘It is a privilege to introduce this truly unique racing motor car to the market. The Aston Martin Razor Blade has a distinguished history and perfectly captures the 1920s motorsport spirit of innovation, endeavour and daring.
‘Having undergone restoration in the 1980s, it has been well taken care of throughout its period of exhibition at Brooklands Museum. We welcome all interested parties to contact us directly to learn more.’
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