Described as “the most important Aston Martin ever produced”, the classic 1956 DBR1 sold for a record-breaking £17,5 million (R300 million) on Friday.

It was on auction at the annual Monterey Car Week and is Aston Martin’s equivalent “to the Ferrari 250 GTO and Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR,” explains The Telegraph.

Just in case you weren’t too sure of its relevance.

Developed by racing chief Ted Cutting and raced by Sir Stirling Moss, the one sold is model number one – a purpose-built model designed to win at Le Mans.

But, while it failed to take the chequered flag in the 24-hour race, a later model did:

It is the first of a series of five racing cars, one of which won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race. This particular car won the Nurburgring 1000 kilometre race that same year. It was subsequently sold, converted and made legal for street use in 1962.

Check it:

A beauty, isn’t it?

Nothing like a little second-hand car love.

[source:thetelegraph]