Aston Martin RHAM/1
Car of the Day #251: 1974 Aston Martin RHAM/1 – Recreational Vehicle
One of the very best automotive stories is how David Brown, manufacturing magnate — and tractor builder, like Ferruccio Lamborghini — came to acquire Aston Martin.
In 1947, he replied to a classified ad in The Times that offered a stake in a High Class Motor Business. He bought Aston Martin for £20,000 GBP.
Skip to 50 mins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T6iib9mx0E • via Victory By Design
The David Brown period, lasting until 1972 when the company was sold for £100, spawned the range of cars that would become some of the most iconic classics in history, anchored by James Bond's car of choice: the DB5.
On the race track, those years were dominated by Brown's ambition to win Le Mans, the world's biggest sports car race. He had the win within a decade, with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori taking the honours ahead of a second DBR1…and, importantly, ahead of Ferrari.
Aston Martin RHAM/1 • source unknown
Sadly, everything has to come to an end, and by 1969, Brown would come to oversee his last Aston Martin road car, the DBS.
The 1970s were a bleak period overall for Aston Martin, and the lack of a racing car was a tough pill to swallow for dealer owners, who believed the cars could be competitive.
So, naturally: dealer and Aston Martin specialist Robin Hamilton took a DBS V8 in 1974 and modified it for club racing.
Hamilton's desire to compete (and win) at Le Mans was equal to that of Brown's, but he had significantly fewer resources at his disposal. From 1974-1980, the car was significantly modified, enough to earn a new chassis number, RHAM/1 (Robin Hamilton Aston Martin #1).
“I think you'd have to be a very brave man to drive this car at Le Mans, especially for 24 hours.” – Alain de Cadenet, Victory by Design
