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For the 1995 Le Mans 24 hour race, Michel Hommell, a French publishing millionaire, created a DB7 complete with a 6.3 litre
V8 and destined to compete in the GT1 class. Aston Martin agreed to sell a
DB7 shell without engine or transmission and TWR arraigned contracts for
significant components. R. S. Williams supplied a pair of race engines -
effectively a detuned version of the AMR1 V8 6.3 litre with an output 619
bhp mated to a six speed ZF gearbox. Although the V8 was not available in
the DB7 road car, the GT1 rules allowed for the use of any road car engine
from the manufacturer and the 6.3 was an option on the Virage. The car was
built by Synergie, a Le Mans based constructor: significantly lighter than
the standard car at 1330kg with carbonfibre doors, wings and bonnet.
Hastily prepared for the qualifying weekend and driven by Eric Helary and
Alain Cudini, the car failed to qualify for the 1995 race by
the narrowest of margins. It was unfortunate as the DB7 had become victim of
the intense rivalry between the other GT1 cars, the McLaren F1 and Ferrari
F40 GTE. Despite being on the reserve list, it didn't race in
anger; it's owner was so exasperated being classified below 3 others, he
retired the car. I believe that if the car was able to be entered in the GT2 class, it
would have raced, and maybe even finished. The car now resides in the
owners motor museum, Manoir de l'Automobile, in Brittany, France.
These photographs, taken at
Manoir de l'Automobile, have been very kindly provided by a visitor and friend
to the website, Jacques Labbe - I am much indebted to Jacques for these pictures
Manoir de l'Automobile |