The name “Aston Martin” originated from the combination of the “Aston Hill Climb” races and the name of the company’s founder, Lionel Martin. These cars were favored by “Agent 007” and numerous racers striving to challenge Ferrari. During difficult times, the factory was saved by a company from the USA. Today, “Aston Martin” has once again secured its niche as a world-class exclusive brand.
The brand is renowned worldwide for its quality, design, advanced technology, and speed. The second embodiment of Aston’s future was the “DB9” model – a 4-seater sports car that impresses drivers with its handling, the power of its 12-cylinder engine, elegant design, and hand assembly.
Aston Martin foudation
The company was founded in 1914 by a passionate car enthusiast, Lionel Martin. By 1925, the company had made a name for itself in racing with the “Standard Sports” model. This car broke records on English racetracks.
Racing victories attracted new customers, but they were still not enough. The company went bankrupt at the end of 1925, and Martin left it. New owners came to its ruins, and in 1926, “Aston Martin Motors” was created. By 1933, it had released a decent number of reliable passenger cars, including the 1933 sports touring car, but the company did not forget about racing.
In 1933, racing versions of the cars took 1st and 2nd places in their class and 5th and 7th overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of the company’s new directors, Cesare Bertelli, piloted the second car. In 1934, he insisted on launching the production of a sports sedan. He used the same engine as in the sports cars to make Aston Martin more attractive to buyers.
While these sedans attracted those who only dreamed of racing, Aston Martin continued to win on the racetrack.
Cars of this brand again won their class at “Le Mans” and in the “Tourist Trophy” races held on the roads of Northern Ireland. In honor of this triumph, the company named the winning model “Aston Martin Ulster.”
Racing was an exciting activity, but it became clear that the company had to focus on mass-produced cars. The management believed that there was a free niche in the market – the sports car segment. Models like the “Drophead,” a 1937 coupe with an exclusive body, combined elegance, excellent handling, power, and speed.
It was equipped with a new 2-liter version of the 4-cylinder engine, which was necessary for the heavier body of the roadster.
Its elegant design still pleases the eye.
In 1939, with the beginning of the “Streamliner” era, the company did not stand aside, releasing the “Atom” concept car. It had many innovative solutions, such as:
- Independent front suspension
- One of the first versions of a space frame
- Electric semi-automatic transmission
It was used throughout World War II. Although the coupe was never mass-produced, the “Atom” influenced the first generation of post-war Aston Martins.
Aston Martin during the War
During the war, Aston’s activities were suspended at a time when the country was under attack. No one cared about racing and luxury cars. The war was a terrible disaster, but the indomitable British directed their production capacity to create weapons and still won. After the war, the British economy lay in ruins, but all companies were eager to return to business as soon as possible, clearing the debris.
Starting with a new generation of cars, the engineers dusted off the “Atom.” Work on new models was led by David Brown, who had previously produced tractors. He bought the company in 1947, merging it with the competing brand “Lagonda.”
Aston had a good chassis, and Lagonda had a new six-cylinder engine with overhead valves, the work of Walter Bentley. Brown combined them. As a result, the series of dynamic cars with Brown’s initials – “DB” – was created.
Starting in 1948, the “DB2” appeared on the streets and racetracks. A larger 2.6-liter engine ensured new racing victories. In 1950, the “DB2” became the first in terms of efficiency at Le Mans, where it won in the class for cars with engines up to 3 liters. Further victories followed in Spa, Monza, and other racing competitions. David succeeded in saving the noble brand and returning it to both racing and ordinary roads.
Racing victories made the front pages of newspapers, but the factory stayed afloat thanks to the sale of production cars.
Brown managed to assemble both “Lagondas” and “Aston Martins” at one factory. These were luxury cars for those who loved to drive themselves. Their noble pedigree was due, among other things, to one of the oldest coachbuilding workshops, “Salmons & Sons.”
This enterprise, founded in the early 19th century, once made carriages for the nobility. Now it became the home of Aston and Lagonda. The influence of classic design was immediately apparent. These cars did not strive to impress buyers with an abundance of chrome and curved wing fins. They possessed elegance and refined style that were timeless. All these features were manifested in the next Aston Martin model – the DB2/4.
In the mid-1950s, this car was a favorite of Italian coachbuilders. Turin designer Bertone and other masters gladly served clients who needed a larger, yet sporty car. The “DB2/4” was an example of a successful combination of British engineering and Italian design.
David Brown continued to use this formula for subsequent Astons. This approach allowed for the creation of one of the most elegant British sports cars in history, including the stunning 2-seater “Spyder” by “Bertone.” It was the perfect car for those who loved to drive with the wind.
Convertibles, roadsters, the “DB2/4” were a fertile ground for designers’ creativity. The stylish coupe by Bertone from 1957 was the result of such work. In 1961, Bertone made a body for David Brown’s newest model, the “DB4.” Astons were created for the international market. Wealthy people with good taste who wanted to stand out but not attract excessive attention chose Aston Martin. Even in its base version, with a body from the Milanese atelier “Touring,” the “DB4” was recognized as a huge leap forward.
This elegant coupe was equipped with a 3.7-liter aluminum engine. It immediately became a classic. Aston Martin was distinguished from other manufacturers by its high quality. The “DB4” body was made by the Milanese atelier “Touring,” and it was also of very high quality. The car handled brilliantly on the road, looked great, and became the epitome of the ideal sports car of that period.
This car could be taken on a long journey. If desired, you could go to the racetrack and set a fast time. The stunning body and race-proven technology made this car a worthy successor to the dynasty.
It attracted the type of people who had money, who could afford literally any car. When assembling the “DB4,” bodies from other Italian ateliers, such as “Zagato,” were used. Its designers created a car that many still consider the most beautiful Aston Martin in history – the “DB4 GTZ,” better known as the “Zagato GT.”
Aston Martin hoped that the new “GT” class model with a lightweight body and shortened wheelbase could challenge the Ferrari 250 GT. Drivers like Jim Clark raced Aston Martins, but these cars could not compete equally with Ferraris, which, however, did not affect their popularity and value. Aston Martin returned to “Le Mans” in 1962 with the factory team model “DP212.” It was the first of three prototypes under the common name “Project Cars.”
“DP212” held second place for a while but had to retire due to engine failure. The team discovered that the car had aerodynamic problems at high speeds. In 1963, the engineers solved this problem by making the rear part flatter and adding a spoiler. “DP214” became the most successful model in the series. At Monza, Roy Salvadori was able to defeat the Ferrari 250 GTO on the Italian brand’s home track.
Before starting to make racing cars based on production models, Aston Martin focused on developing purebred sports cars. The “DB3S” was one of the favorites in the 3-liter class in the mid-1950s. It often competed on equal terms with more powerful cars like Ferrari, Jaguar, and Maserati. The “3S” won the “Tourist Trophy” races at Goodwood and Northern Ireland. It made it to the podium at the Nürburgring and Le Mans. Wherever it performed, it was always a serious competitor for everyone.
Its successor, the “DBR1,” continued Aston’s series of successes. In 1959, the new car brought Aston Martin victories in the World Sportscar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That season did not start too smoothly. Team driver Carroll Shelby retired at Sebring due to clutch problems. Three months later, he and his teammate, Roy Salvadori, were rewarded with victory at Le Mans. This was what David Brown had dreamed of for so long.
Victories at the Nürburgring and Goodwood brought Aston Martin the World Championship title among manufacturers. It took 46 years, 4 different owners, and huge investments from David Brown to earn Aston the right to be called the best sports car in the world.
Carroll Shelby in Aston Martin
It was a turbulent time for the team. It brought Carroll Shelby fame, but soon doctors told him that he could not continue racing due to heart problems.
Shelby learned a lot while racing for the team and decided to put that knowledge into practice.
I raced for a team that was little known then, but famous now – Aston Martin. The team manager was John Wyer, and I spent a lot of time at the factory where our cars were assembled. I drove them, tested them, and evaluated them.
This practical racing school prepared Shelby for founding his own company. He knew the rules of European racing. He knew what the cars were capable of and what it took to build a racing team.
He decided that he would not allow health problems to get the better of him and created the Cobra, and then achieved triumph at Le Mans at the head of the Ford team with the “GT40” model. A racing legend, a true idol for his fans who lined up to get his autograph. He did not forget how much he owed to Aston Martin.
In those years that I raced for Aston Martin, I was already planning to create my own car. Aston Martin, John Wyer, and the factory mechanics and engineers, they all helped me gain the knowledge necessary to develop the Cobra.” The car that they and Roy Salvadori brought to victory at Le Mans is still seen at historic racing festivals. Aston is still among the leaders in these races.
The time of glorious victories passed when Aston Martin focused on producing cars for everyday use.
Iconic Aston’s DB models
The tradition of hand-assembling new models continued into the 1960s. The “DB6” model was produced until 1971. The company went through difficult times, trying to find its place in the automotive market with constantly growing competition. It changed course several times, experimenting with new models, but the decline continued. The era of independent automakers was coming to an end.
Meeting all environmental and safety standards, developing new models, conducting marketing campaigns, and satisfying the growing demands of buyers was too expensive. Ford Motor Company offered its help by buying 75% of Aston Martin’s shares in 1987. The infusion of funds helped. Already in 1993, Ford took the company under its full control, investing 64 million pounds (about 100 million dollars) in new models and the construction of new workshops. This allowed the company to create the “DB7.”
In 1995, a record 700 new cars were assembled and sold. The first 12-cylinder Aston Martin was assembled in 1999. This engine was a joint creation of the “Ford Advanced Vehicle” group and “Cosworth.”
The “DB7” was equipped with a new 6-liter, 12-cylinder engine with 420 horsepower. Thanks to it, the car accelerates to 290 km/h, and acceleration to 100 km/h takes less than 5 seconds. To cope with the increased speed, the company made significant improvements to the body and chassis.
With marketing support, the model was sold in 31 countries to connoisseurs who needed an elegant car with responsive handling, exceptional brakes, and speed. The “DB7” was recognized as one of the best cars in the world, but designers continued to improve it. Jacques Nasser, who was the head of Ford at that time, came to England to understand how to improve the already beautiful appearance of the “DB7,” one of the most proportional cars.
Attempts were reborn into a new concept car. It was the first test of the most advanced technologies – a great opportunity for Ford Advanced Vehicle, Cosworth, and Aston Martin to show the best they were capable of, each in their field. The team tried to put the latest design ideas into practice. This concerned not only the exterior design but also the style of the interior.
This car became the basis for testing new designs and technologies. Design innovations and a powerful 12-cylinder engine became a reality in the “Vanquish” model of 2000.
The 1800 kg car was supposed to challenge the Ferrari “550 Maranello.” Ferraris felt at home in sunny Italy, but Aston made sure that its new model could cope with harsher climates. The combination of new traditions and technologies made it possible to create a production car with a top speed of 305 km/h.
While the Vanquish conquered the roads, designers were busy creating the future Aston Martin – the “DB9” model. It was a completely new model; they understood that it had to be a modern car to compete with other cars priced over 200 thousand dollars.
Possessing a radically new aluminum body structure, the “DB9” is one of the most complex and technically advanced sports cars in the world.
Thanks to the leather interior by the “Bridge of Weir” atelier and the multimedia system, it is also one of the most luxurious. It has everything that made the Aston Martin brand famous.
For almost 100 years, the company has been producing cars for gentlemen who like impeccable style and fast driving. Aston Martin has not always managed to keep up with competitors, but it seems that the company has now found its niche.
