1957 Aston Martin DBR1

Aston Martin’s relationship with the 24 Hours of Le Mans goes all the way back to 1928 when Jack Bezzant/Cyril Paul and “Bert” Bertelli/George Eyston launched the British company’s assault on the event with LM2 and LM1, Aston’s 1495-cc, 4-cylinder racer. Neither car made it to the finish, but the effort marked the beginning of a quest that goes on at this very moment. Aston Martin is still at Le Mans.

The Astons returned to La Sarthe in 1931, after the Bentley dominance had been taken over by Alfa Romeo. Bertelli, however, was 5th this time and won his class. The cars were at every event in the 1930s, usually finishing well up the field, often winning the 1.5-liter class, and managing 3rd overall on one occasion. Even with that record, however, the big assault was to wait until well after WWII, and though it finally resulted in victory, it had been a very hard road.