Aston Martin Project 212 The first of Aston Martin's GT prototypes, Project 212, has been entered in the pre-'63 GT race at the Silverstone Classic 2009. This will be the first appearance at the Silverstone event for the car.The Project 212 was built in 1962 in utmost secrecy and haste at the Middlesex-based Aston Racing department, in response to a French dealer's concerns about a drop in sales and the need to race Le Mans.
Based on a modified DB4 GT platform and powered by a 4-litre version of the original 3.7 engine, it was driven by Graham Hill and Richie Ginther, making the fastest opening lap but then succumbing to engine problems.
Aerodynamic issues highlighted at Le Mans were dealt with on the car's return to the UK.
Designer Ted Cutting took it to MIRA's wind tunnel in Nuneaton in the dead of night because the tunnel's drain on electricity would otherwise have plunged the town into darkness.
With a temporary rear spoiler fitted, lift was dramatically reduced and top speed increased to 187mph.
Project 212 has been consistently maintained for racing and is the most actively campaigned of the surviving Project cars.
Its presence in the Silverstone Classic's pre-'63 GT race is typical of the grid spirit, which only includes original cars reflecting the specifications of their period.
This unique Aston Martin DP 212 will be campaigned 'in anger' at the Silverstone Classic on July 26 by its arch-enthusiast owner Wolfgang Friedrichs and his regular co-driver David Clark.
Ken Prichard Jones, Director of Racing at Silverstone Limited says: "The Silverstone Classic's aim of bringing together original race cars, observing period homologation rules, is wonderfully showcased by the Project 212's presence.
"As a front runner in the pre-'63 GT grid, it will be racing against no less than five SWB Ferraris and another famous Aston Martin, the lightweight ex-Equipe Endeavour DB4 GT."
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