Jonathan Sharp’s photo of the 1959 Tourist Trophy line up at the Goodwood Revival.
By Jonathan Sharp, Roy Smith, Pete Vack, and Hugues Vanhoolandt
One of Goodwood’s most interesting features year was the theme of the 1959 Tourist Trophy. If you read Graham Gauld’s post, “I Was There“, you know that Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche were all battling for the World Sportscar Championship and any of the three could win. We check out the cars.
Aston Martin DBR1 chassis DBR1/4
Aston Martin DBR1 chassis DBR1/5
Ferrari 250 TR59/60 chassis 0774 TR
Jaguar D-Type chassis XKD 603
Jaguar D-Type chassis XKD504
Porsche 718 1500 RSK chassis 718-004
Porsche 718 RS61 chassis 718-076 006?
In addition, there were a number of other British cars that filled the grid both in 1959 and 2019, but we focused on the big four. The Ferrari is a survivor of the actual event, as are the Aston Martins, and one D Type Jag. But the Porsches in the 2019 race were not veterans of that 1959 TT. According to Roy Smith, the cars that ran in the 1959 Goodwood TT weekend were chassis 718-009, von Trips and Bonnier second overall first in class, 718-005, Barth (Edgar) and Maglioli 12th overall 2nd in class and 718-008, Herrmann and Bristow which retired due to an accident. The full story of all the 718 racers is in his next book Porsche – Silver Steeds. (You can go for a ride with Roy Smith in his road going RSK tribute car, just click here.)
The Revival TT was also dedicated to Sir Stirling Moss, who won the event in 1959, and who celebrated his 90th birthday on September 17. Happy Birthday, Sir Stirling!
Below are photos by Jonathan Sharp and Hugues Vanhoolandt, with a bit about the history of each car obtained from a variety of sources.
The pits on fire, 2019. We doubt if anyone has ever recreated a fire scene at a vintage race before. As can be seen from Jonathan Sharp’s photo, it was very realistic. Wrote Sharp, “Right before this, I joked amongst my fellow photographers that maybe the Goodwood crew should set fire to a DBR1 to add more realism, and lo and behold the Goodwood team recreated the pit fire but without the DBR1 each day. It scared a few people who were not aware of the original event, or who had forgotten.” Jonathan Sharp photo
The Ferrari 250 TR59 S/N 0774 is quite a famous car. But at Goodwood in 1959, driven by Hill, Allison and Cabianca, it retired with engine problems. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo
However, it went on to win the 1960 1000 km of Buenos Aires with Phil Hill and Cliff Allison, then on to win at Le Mans with Gendebien and Paul Frere. Jonathan Sharp photo
According to Janos Wimpfen’s Time and Two Seats, Aston Martin DBR1/4 finished fourth overall in 1959 driven by Maurice Trintignant and Paul Frere. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo
…while Aston Martin DBR1/5 was piloted by the team of Graham Whitehead and Henry Taylor. Jonathan Sharp photo
The D Jag, Chassis 603, was driven at the 1959 event by Ron Flockhart and John Bekaert , and last week it was driven in a parade lap by Sir Jackie Stewart. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo
D Jag number 6 was an Ecurie Ecosse team car, but was not entered in the 1959 Goodwood TT. Jonathan Sharp photo
The two RSKs at Goodwood this year did not compete at the 1959 Tourist Trophy. Jonathan Sharp photo
One of two RSKs on the grid at the Revival. Roy Smith tells us that this RSK, 718-004, was built in May 1958 with bodywork by Wendler; it was supplied to the French driver Storez, then on to von Dory in the Americas. Driven in the 1000 kms Buenos Aires in 1960 by von Dory. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo
Porsche line up in front of the pits. Jonathan Sharp photo
The other RSK at the Revival this year was 718-006, built in November 1958 with bodywork by Wendler. It too, was works car for Sebring driven by von Trips. It ran at Le Mans ‘59 but dnf’d. Hugues Vanhoolandt photo