100 miles per hour is a milestone almost every production car on sale today can comfortably reach. Whether it’s a budget hatchback or thrill-seeking hypercar, hitting triple figures is done with ease for most, but rewind the calendar to exactly 102 years ago, and the concept of speed was very, very different.
1923 would see a little-known car marker founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, operating under the name of Aston Martin, throw their aerodynamically designed speed machine into the ring, aptly named the Razor Blade. Bamford and Martin brought the car to the treacherous Brooklands Circuit, the proving ground for speed, with a clear goal of smashing the record that was held by AC Cars at the time. Early attempts were filled with issues and drama, where the Razor Blade would shed its front offside tyre at speeds more than 100 miles per hour. Through sheer determination and driver bravery, though, later that year the car was able to set a new record for a standing start mile and kilometre, firmly cementing this unique car into the history books.
Not only were its records significant, the Razor’s design and engineering truly was ground-breaking at the time. Manufactured in collaboration with the de Havilland Aircraft Company, the Razor Blade’s bodywork measures just 18.5 inches at its widest point, making it the narrowest race car ever built. This is further reinforced by an inswept chassis, with a much narrower rear that gives it a distinctive look and driving characteristics, as well as being mightily fast in a straight line. Beneath its slender bodywork, you'll find a bespoke four-cylinder, twin overhead cam, 16-valve race engine that was originally developed for the 1922 French Grand Prix.
After spending much of its early life on race tracks and hillclimb events, while also forming a key part of the Brooklands museum, this wonderful piece of Aston Martin and motoring history is now looking for its next owner, who can expect to enjoy the Razor Blade at historic events all over the world!
