Aston Martin Series III 1934-1935
In 1927 Aston Martin was taken over by race driver A. C. Bertelli.
165 Series III models were built
He designed a 1.5-litre, SOHC engine which would eventually power the LeMans-racing Ulster. Thoughout the years the engine was devloped to include dry sump lubrication.
The Aston Martin Ulster stands as one of the most respected pre-war racecars. It was largely based on the Mark II which came before it.
The Ulster had a breif two year race program. During this time they dominated the British Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. In 1934, Ulsters took first, second and third place. The best LeMans result was achieved in 1935. Chassis LM20 raced to third overall which put it first in the 1101 to 1500cc class.
After the race efforts, Aston Martin readied a production version of the LeMans cars. Twenty-One of these cars were built of which all are accounted for today.
Specifications
| engine | Inline-4 w/Dry Sump |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | SOHC |
| displacement | 1495 cc / 91.2 in³ |
| bore | 69 mm / 2.72 in |
| stroke | 99 mm / 3.9 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 59.7 kw / 80 bhp @ 5250 rpm |
| specific output | 53.51 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 88.2 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Aluminum |
| front brakes | Steel Drums |
| rear brakes | Steel Drums |
| f suspension | Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Friction Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Friction Shock Abosorbers |
| curb weight | 907 kg / 2000 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2616 mm / 103.0 in |
| front track | 1321 mm / 52.0 in |
| rear track | 1321 mm / 52.0 in |
| length | 4216 mm / 166.0 in |
| width | 1651 mm / 65.0 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~164.2 kph / 102.0 mph |
‘Ulster’ 1934 Team Cars (Third Series, 1½ litre - LM11, LM12, LM14. LM15, LM16, LM17, 1934)
Things were going well at Astons in the mid 30's which enabled them to build three new team cars for the 1934 season. LM11, LM12 and LM14 were based on the Mark II but with a rakish two seater body and with the spare wheel was stowed horizontally in the tail. A.C. Bertelli was very superstitious and LM13 was never built.
The three team cars, complete with drilled, lightweight chassis were entered for Le Mans where sadly all retired. Following Le Mans, LM11 and LM12 were rebuilt with new un-drilled chassis in order for them to be eligible to enter the RAC Tourist trophy race in Ulster.
They were both re-numbered as LM15 and LM16. A third completely new car also joined the team, LM17. At this time it was decided to paint the Team cars in Italian Red, as green was considered unlucky by the Italian born Bertelli. It worked! the LM15, 16 and 17 gained overall 6th, 3rd and 7th places respectively, 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class, and also the team prize. Thus the name ‘Ulster’ was coined for replicas of these victorious machines.
This LM15, (LM11 rebuilt with an un-drilled chassis) has recently returned to racing in club events. The LM16,(LM12 rebuilt with an un-drilled chassis) was photographed at the AMOC Le Mans 40th Anniversary Meeting at Donnington in 1999 in the company of LM3 and Green Pea.