Following changes to the rules for sportscar racing, entrants no longer had to take cars which were route sound, or founded on route sound cars, much as the Aston Martin DB3S.

Therefore, with the power to make a sportscar from a just ticket for 1956, Aston Martin created the DBR1. The system evolved from the DB3S's work, featuring an often lower visibility. Most celebrated was that the rear of the first bike good was no longer left active.

Instead, the DBR1 haved good bodywork with an important triangular air on the position, a plan trait which would get common on all next Aston Martins.

The DBR1 was initially fitted with a little 2.6L (2580cc) Lagonda Straight-6 locomotive gained from the Aston Martin DB2 product automobile, still though the DBR1's predecessor, the DB3S, was at the second runing with a large 2.9L (2922cc) engine. Later DBR1s would have the DBB-spec 2. 9L Straight-6, rated at 195hp.