Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Aston Martin Atom - the most modern Aston of all time

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on April 29, 2014

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bonhams

15

Archiv

2

Bonhams

15

Archiv

2

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - squat but aerodynamic silhouette, the car is 4.43 meters long

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - in order to offer little resistance to the wind, a minimal cross-sectional area was aimed for

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the body consisted of a tubular construction with aluminum panels attached to it

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the design is reminiscent of continental designs from that time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - Gordon Sutherland planned to enlarge the rear windows

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the voluminous fenders document that the car was built in the pre-war period

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - quite narrow at 1.54 meters with a height of 1.5 meters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - cramped cockpit, the large gearshift on the cardan tunnel only selects forward or reverse, the gears are changed in the shift gate to the left of the steering wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the steering wheel was adjustable

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - hammock-like seats, as seen decades later in the Fiat Panda, among others

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - four cylinders, 1970 cm3, two SU carburetors, 82 hp at 5000 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the windshield wipers were probably not all that effective

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - the Aston Martin emblem

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - spoked wheels and drum brakes were standard at the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1939) - will be offered by Bonhams at the auction on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 27, 2014

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin Atom (1940) - top and side view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin 2 Litre Sports (1948) - attractive post-war sports car

You have only

2 out of 17

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In 1939, Aston Martin built a four-door sports car that represented a significant step into the future in terms of design and technology and broke with many traditions. Due to the outbreak of war, series production did not materialize, but the prototype, which is considered one of the first fully functional concept cars, survived. This report describes the background and development of the Aston Martin Atom and shows many photos of the restored prototype.

This article contains the following chapters

Forward-looking ideas
Light and compact
Innovative solutions
Sensational
Intended for series production
Suitable for everyday use
The savior of Aston Martin
Restored and awarded

Estimated reading time: 4min

Preview (beginning of the article)

From 1936 to 1939, Aston Martin built the 14/98 model in two and four-seater configurations as a typical sports car of the time with a long hood, protruding fenders and rudimentary technology. The fact that the same company launched the Atom prototype in 1939 was therefore a radical break with tradition. Hardly any other car of the time was so visionary. Gordon Sutherland, the son of Sir Arthur Sutherland, who bought Aston Martin in 1932, was head of the sports car company in Feltham in the 1930s. And he was a man with vision. He was convinced that people were striving for mobility and that the automobile would play an important role in this. For this target group, he wanted to build a sporty and efficient saloon that would reflect the spirit of Aston Martin.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: