Le Mans 1959 Aston Martin Finally Victorious.

[charleselan]

Well René if you are sure that it will not saturate everyone I will post this wonderful film of Aston Martin's stunning victory in the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour race. It is so atmospheric and typically period, but good quality with lovely footage of the pre event preparation and the racing itself.

Fantastic to see the amazing Stirling Moss as the lead driver of the team blitzing the early laps against the lighter and faster Ferrari's; and then the glorious Jean Behra surging to the fore as he often did whether in a Ferrari or Maserati.

About one year later I was on a shopping trip with my mother to our somewhat up market nearby town of Cheltenham Spa where they had a beautiful Promenade with many superb shops, including a huge bookshop called "Banks". I always pestered my mother as most small lads do to go into that store and looked at the motor racing books available. I noticed a new book on the Aston Martin win at Le Mans on the shelf and with my saved pocket money bought the book. The book is credited to Stirling but much of the work i would suggest is down to the editor and photographer Maxwell Boyd.

Attached is the front cover.






Attachment Deleted

[René]

JC, my saturation point is still lightyears away! I am sure that also goes for the other racers at our table.

This film is stunning, a real time warp to a racing lfe before I was even born. Another world!
Great story about that book, a real treasure. 

[charleselan]

René, 

I am really pleased that you liked the film, it is as you say "stunning", so much atmosphere and glorious times for racing when everyone stayed safe and well.

There are some really good films on Le Mans so i will put more up as time progresses, being wary of saturation point  .

Also I came across some really good Formula 2 races from the 1980's and 70's, one of which was the outstanding wet race from Silverstone in 1982 when Stefan Bellof emerged. The only downside was the appalling quality of the sound.

JC

[chrisb]

lovely clip JC, the DBR1 was always a favourite of mine, nothing to do with the 1960 result of course!, and it looked fun, something I do recollect about motor sport and as Rene says saturation point seems far far away JC,

interesting about F2 clips, there were some fantastic years where, when you look back, may well eclipse the excitement of some modern F1 era's and I will certainly have a wee look - so thank you JC for the reminder-

[charleselan]

I am pleased that you liked the film Chris, as René mentions it is rather stunning.

Yes I can understand the connection with 1960 and a certain James Clark at Le Mans, a great performance but somewhat outgunned by more modern Ferrari's.

Keep your eyes peeled as i will put up some links to the Formula Two films.

[chrisb]

bless you JC, that was one race very few people ever referred to - what I loved about the 59 victory was of course our friendly Texan Mr Shelby - whose racing career sadly was prematurely ended, if memory serves by a dodgy ticker? but then of course how life transfers one to another

I seem to recollect Stirling was used on more than one occasion as the 'hare' and one does wonder had they not done so would these teams been as successful?

looking forward to the F2 films JC, one of my biggest regrets was not seeing the F3000 at Birmingham but the great days of the likes of Geof Lees et al, would be most welcome, and, of course, getting nowhere near the beginnings of saturation - let alone the point!