Aston Martin
(1928 - today)
Brand:
Country:
United Kingdom
Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of top-class luxury and sports cars. The brand was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bambord. In 1947, David Brown took over the reins, during whose era the famous Aston Martin DB4 to DB6 and their successor models DBS and V8 were created. Brown was followed by William Willson, Sprague and Curtis and Victor Gauntlett. From 1987, Aston Martin belonged to the Ford Motor Company. During this time, models such as the DB7 and DB9 were created. From 2007 to 2018, Aston Martin was privately owned; in 2018, the brand went public on the London Stock Exchange.
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The Aston Martin Ulster was a successful racing car. This article explains why it needed a color change from green to red and what makes these cars special.
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.
The first sports car created by Aston Martin in the David Brown era was not the well-known DB2, but the Two Litre Sports, posthumously known as the DB1. It used the knowledge gained from the pre-war four-cylinder Aston Martin Atom prototype and, as a racing sports car, achieved the first major Aston victory of the post-war period. Commercially, however, it was a flop. This vehicle report tells the story of Aston Martin's first post-war production sports car and shows it in current and historical images, as well as in the sales literature of the time.
Aston Martin built the DB 2 and its derivatives from 1949/1950 to 1957. A modern chassis, a powerful engine and a streamlined body predestined the car to be the first choice not only for road use, but also for participation in racing competitions. DB 2 won class victories at Le Mans and the Mille Miglia. This report describes the history of the Aston Martin DB 2 and goes into detail about two special examples and their development. The article is illustrated with almost 100 contemporary and current pictures, some of which have never been published before, as well as sales brochures and data sheets from the time. A delight, not only for Aston Martin fans.
In 1953, the "MoMa" selected ten cars and invited the public to a "non-commercial car exhibition" in New York, which paid homage to the vehicle design of the time. Curator Arthur Dexler presented American, Italian, French, English and German automobiles from the brands Porsche, Aston Martin, Simca, Siata, Lancia, Cunningham, Nash-Healey, Ford, Studebaker and MG, which certainly sparked discussions about the quality and future orientation of car body designs. This report describes the circumstances of the exhibition at that time and shows all ten vehicles presented in over 100 historical and current pictures, supplemented with many vehicle brochures and the original exhibition catalog from 1953.
Aston Martin built just eleven works racing cars of the DB3 S type. Although it failed to win the Le Mans overall, two second places are also impressive, especially if the same chassis succeeds both times. And this chassis has survived to this day and is still regarded as an extremely attractive sports car 60 years later. This driving report tells the story of chassis DBS/6 and shows the car in many photographs.
Stanley Arnolt had made a name for himself in the USA in 1952 with English technology in an Italian tailor-made suit. But the continuation of this success seemed to fail. Only a handful of his Aston-Martins with Bertone bodywork were produced. The only coupé among them did not even make it to America at first. This article tells the story of the creation of the Aston Martin DB2/4 Berlinetta Bertone and why its history may be a little different than previously assumed.
From 1953 to 1955, Aston Martin built the Type DB 2/4 as the successor to the two-seater DB 2. Twelve chassis were sold without bodywork, eight of which were given bodies by Bertone, drawn by two of the most talented designers of all time, Franco Scaglione and Giovanni Michelotti. Today, they achieve high prices and are candidates for concours victories worldwide. This article portrays the Bertone Astons of the fifties and shows most of the vehicles in photographs, some of which have never been published before.
There are not very many Aston Martin cars that attempt to take part in the Monte-Carlo Rally, especially after the war. Ken Carter's Aston Martin DB 2/4 was one of these exceptions.
Today, the Aston Martin DB5 is one of the best-known classic cars of all time. This is primarily thanks to the James Bond films. But Bond himself actually drove an Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III, at least in the novel "Goldfinger" by Ian Fleming. This driving report is about a DB Mark III from 1958 and shows it in current and historical footage.
Enzo Ferrari once said that successful sports cars are usually also beautiful. This was certainly true of the Aston Martin DBR1 of the late 1950s, because as a Le Mans winner and sports car champion, it lacked neither success nor elegant lines. The DBR1 was a solid construction and was particularly convincing as a complete package. This episode of "Technology in a racing car" looks under the aluminum-magnesium dress of the Aston Martin DBR1 and explores its success.
A very special Aston Martin DB 4 Series 1 from 1959 has recently turned up in Switzerland, which differs from its siblings in that it has a redesigned rear end. This report explains the peculiarities of the modified DB 4 with many pictures and seeks the help of contemporary witnesses who can shed light on the transformation.
In the 1950s, the sports car world championship up to three liters in displacement was one of the most fiercely contested motorsport classes. Slowly but steadily, Aston Martin worked its way up from the midfield to finally reach the top at the end of the decade. This article tells the story of the development of the Aston Martin DBR1, with which the British company not only won the World Sports Car Championship, but also the world's biggest endurance race.
An interesting vehicle is the DB3S Coupé, which was built on chassis number DB3S/105. The open DB3S was converted into a coupé by Panelcraft of Putney (coachbuilder from London) for Lord O'Neill of Belfast.
Aston Martin celebrates its centenary in 2013. Beautiful and fast sports cars (and saloons) were created during this period. The Aston Martin DB4 GT Jet Bertone from 1960 occupies a special place in the company's history, because for once Bertone/Giugiaro wielded the drawing pen and one of the most elegant Astons ever was created. This report describes the history and special features of the Bertone Jet, which will be auctioned by Bonhams in Newport Pagnell in summer 2013, and shows it in many pictures.
Thanks to its outstanding acceleration (from standstill to 200 km/h in little more than half a minute) and the exceptionally powerful brakes, especially at high speeds, the Aston Martin Vantage proved in the AR endurance test that it can safely complete overtaking maneuvers in the shortest possible time. The DB4 Vantage is the fastest four-seater to have been tested by Autombil-Revue to date. It belongs to the class of top sports cars, which are only produced in small numbers and are reserved for a limited number of drivers due to their high purchase price. In short: A top-class high-performance sports car with outstanding performance, solid construction and sophisticated equipment.
When Aston Martin presented its new sports car, the DB 4, at the London Motor Show in 1958, visitors almost forgot to breathe, the English manufacturer's new model looked so indescribably beautiful and elegant. A top international product had been created here. From 1961, the DB 4 was also available as a convertible, hardly less elegant, but much rarer with only 70 examples produced. This report describes the history and special features of the Aston Martin DB 4 Convertible and shows a particularly rare example with a Vantage engine in the picture.
The Aston Martin DB 5 is the rarest GT sports car from the DB 4 to DB 4 series. At the same time, it is a sophisticated design. Elegance was combined with modern design principles and explains the popularity of the model, not only with James Bond. Purists, however, prefer the pure original form of the DB 4 Touring, while well-endowed collectors are particularly interested in the DB 4 GT Zagato. The model series was produced from 1958 to 1971 and around 4,000 vehicles were sold.
Timelessly elegant, largely mature and only built in small numbers, the Aston Martin DBS with the six-cylinder engine had to wait a long time for recognition from collectors, as it was always somewhat overshadowed by the DB4 to DB6 models. Yet it even played an important role in a James Bond film. This vehicle report tells the story of the Aston Martin DBS and shows it in historical and current pictures, as well as in the sales brochure of the time.
James Bond was never allowed to drive the elegant Aston Martin DB6 Volante, he had to make do with coupés. Yet the open-top Aston was and is a means of enjoyment "par excellence". With the roof open, you can hear the engine even better and the driving experience is even more intense. The DB6 was mainly built for the Americans and in fairly small quantities, which is why a Volante is one of today's sought-after rarities. This report describes the history of the open DB6 and shows it in many pictures, supplemented by a sound sample and rare brochure material.
Ferrari Daytona, Maserati Ghibli, De Tomaso Mangusta, Aston Martin DBS and Lamborghini Miura were the dream sports cars of the late sixties. How did they compare then and now? This report picks out five of the top products of the time and compares their performance and value development, illustrated with many pictures of the individual vehicles.
Ten years after the unsuccessful Lagonda Rapide, Aston Martin once again ventured to produce a four-door saloon. Based on the architecture of the DBS, it was intended to capture the market share of the recently discontinued Maserati Quattroporte and secure Aston Martin's financial position as a volume model. In the end, the number of cars built only marginally exceeded the number of insolvency proceedings. This article tells the story of the first four-door Aston Martin built in (small) series and shows it in many photos.
Aston Martin started the 1980s with the Lagonda saloon. It was so radically new that it did not fit in at all with the sports cars from Newport Pagnell. But this could be remedied. In 1980, the Aston Martin Bulldog was presented, a futuristic mid-engined two-seater that was to embody the future of the sports car. But only the prototype was built. This report describes the history and technical characteristics of this interesting one-off and shows it in pictures, some of which have hardly been seen before, and in the press documents of the time.
Between 1969 and 1972, Aston Martin produced a luxury sports car based on the DBS, which was originally launched with a six-cylinder engine and was able to compete with the fastest and best cars of the time. Eight years after its market launch, the more powerful Vantage version was added, and in 1978 a Volante appeared again, eight years after the discontinuation of the open-top DB6. The more discerning could also purchase the Volante with Vantage specification. This report describes the history of the DBS V8 and its successors and shows a vehicle from 1981 in detail, supplemented by many archive photos and seven sales brochures, as well as price lists and a sound sample.
At the third attempt, an automotive milestone was achieved, but it fell victim to its own progressiveness. While the design was like something from another planet, Aston Martin opted for tried and tested values on the drive side of the Lagonda, only to go completely off the rails on the inside. "Electronics shock "3, commented the press. This vehicle report portrays an Aston Martin Lagonda from 1984 and explains why the courage of the Aston makers was not rewarded with the success it deserved. Many historical and current illustrations, three brochures and audio samples round off the report.
This is a boring story. What can you write about a car that has only covered a good 3000 kilometers in its 30 years with its first owner? After all, it has hardly ever left the garage. Quite right. But what happened in the seven years before that is enough to dedicate an article to the Aston Martin Virage prototype disguised as a Lagonda Series 2.
In the early sixties, Aston Martin and Carrozzeria Zagato cooperated to build the DB4 GT Zagato. Around a quarter of a century later, they joined forces again. The result was the Aston Martin Vantage Zagato, one of the fastest coupés of the time and one of the most exclusive. Visually, it was not to everyone's taste, but on the road it knew how to impress. This vehicle report tells the story of the Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Coupé, of which only 52 were built, and shows it in current and historical pictures.
When the Aston Martin Virage was launched in 1988, its predecessor could already look back on a history of over 20 years. With new styling and improved technology, but also enormously high prices, the coupé took on the competition from Ferrari and other sports car brands. Despite its initial success, the number of units produced remained modest, and today the Virage is one of the lesser-known models from the manufacturer in Newport Pagnell. Perhaps the Granturismo is even completely underestimated? This driving report focuses on an early coupé and shows it in current and historical images. Of course, there is also a sound sample.
It came late, but it came anyway. The DB7 marked a successful new beginning for Aston Martin in a more affordable sports car segment and paved the way for the future. And today, the DB7 is certainly one of the most beautiful cars of all time. This driving report tells the story of the indirect successor to the DB6 and shows it in current and historical pictures.
If you wanted to sell super sports cars worth half a million at the end of the last century, you had to offer something. Aston Martin remembered the Le Mans success of 1959 and offered the Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600 Le Mans as an extensively refined and limited-edition special model as the final model in a series that dated back to the 1960s. This vehicle report commemorates the last Tadek Marek V8 and shows the special model in many photographs. A sound sample is also included.
The Aston Martin DB7 was the surprise of the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, but perhaps even more surprising was its long career up to 2004, which made it the most successful Aston Martin of all time. The V12 engine developed with Ford and Cosworth played a significant part in this. This vehicle report focuses on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupé, but also tells the story of its development and the previous six-cylinder models.
Current market prices for Aston Martin
Coupe, 104 PS, 2580 cm3
Coupe, 122 PS, 2580 cm3
Convertible, 122 PS, 2580 cm3
Coupe, 140 PS, 2922 cm3
Convertible, 140 PS, 2922 cm3
Coupe, 140 PS, 2922 cm3
Convertible, 140 PS, 2922 cm3
Coupe, 161 PS, 2922 cm3
Coupe, 239 PS, 3670 cm3
Convertible, 239 PS, 3670 cm3
Coupe, 301 PS, 3670 cm3
Coupe, 266 PS, 3670 cm3
Coupe, 285 PS, 3995 cm3
null, 330 PS, 3995 cm3
Convertible, 285 PS, 3995 cm3
Coupe, 325 PS, 3995 cm3
Coupe, 325 PS, 3995 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Aston Martin
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin Lagonda 1984 Not Sold RM/Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale (March 25, 2022) |
Lagonda | 1984 | Not Sold | RM/Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale (March 25, 2022) | |
| Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 'Gulf Ultimate Edition' Coupé 2007 Sold Bonhams The Bond Street Sale (December 15, 2023) |
V12 Vanquish S 'Gulf Ultimate Edition' Coupé | 2007 | Sold | Bonhams The Bond Street Sale (December 15, 2023) | |
| Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe 1953 Sold Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach (August 24, 2018) |
DB2/4 Coupe | 1953 | Sold | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach (August 24, 2018) | |
| Aston Martin V8 Vantage Series 4 'Oscar India' Sports Saloon 1981 Sold Bonhams Amelia Island (March 2, 2023) |
V8 Vantage Series 4 'Oscar India' Sports Saloon | 1981 | Sold | Bonhams Amelia Island (March 2, 2023) | |
| Aston Martin DB 4 Serie 4 1962 Sold Bonhams Goodwood 75RD Members Meeting (March 21, 2015) |
DB 4 Serie 4 | 1962 | Sold | Bonhams Goodwood 75RD Members Meeting (March 21, 2015) | |
| Aston Martin DBS 1969 Sold Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2016 (November 12, 2016) |
DBS | 1969 | Sold | Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2016 (November 12, 2016) | |
| Aston Martin Vanquish S 2006 Sold RM/Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale (March 25, 2022) |
Vanquish S | 2006 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale (March 25, 2022) | |
| Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2007 Sold RM/Sotheby's Duomila Ruote (November 25, 2016) |
V8 Vantage | 2007 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Duomila Ruote (November 25, 2016) | |
| Aston Martin 17/98 Short Chassis Open Sports 1939 Sold RM/Sotheby's Amelia Island Auction (March 8, 2014) |
17/98 Short Chassis Open Sports | 1939 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Amelia Island Auction (March 8, 2014) | |
| Aston Martin DB7 Volante 1997 Sold Bonhams The Beaulieu Sale, Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia (September 7, 2013) |
DB7 Volante | 1997 | Sold | Bonhams The Beaulieu Sale, Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia (September 7, 2013) |
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