Aston Martin

Aston Martin, founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, has a storied history marked by engineering excellence, luxury, and high performance. Initially named Bamford & Martin Ltd., the company adopted the Aston Martin moniker following Martin's successful runs at the Aston Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire.

In 1915, the first car to bear the Aston Martin name was created, but World War I put a halt to car production, and the company's machinery was sold to the Sopwith Aviation Company. Post-war, the brand resurfaced, and in 1922, it gained international attention when an Aston Martin broke 10 world records at the French Grand Prix.

The 1930s brought financial challenges, but the brand's reputation for high-quality engineering remained untarnished. Aston Martin's acquisition by David Brown Limited in 1947 marked a significant turning point. Under Brown's stewardship, iconic models such as the DB2, DB4 GT Zagato, and perhaps most famously, the DB5 emerged. The DB5, immortalized as James Bond's car in the 1964 film "Goldfinger," became synonymous with style and sophistication.

Aston Martin's racing heritage is equally illustrious. The brand re-entered motorsport with David Brown's establishment of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. The DBR1’s victory at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans solidified this legacy, achieving one of the greatest feats in motorsport history.

The company endured several changes in ownership from the 1970s through the 2000s, including a notable period under Ford Motor Company. 2007 saw the formation of a consortium led by Prodrive chairman David Richards to take control. More recent years have brought new models like the Vantage and DB11, along with a return to Formula 1 racing in 2021.