Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The company’s name is derived from the name of the hill climb race in England, Aston Hill, where Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford had their first race in their own car.
The Early Years
Aston Martin started out by producing cars for hill climb races and other motorsports events. In 1922, the company produced its first car, the “Coal Scuttle”, which was named after its distinctive shape. In the following years, Aston Martin continued to produce cars for racing, including the 1929 International Grand Prix, where they finished in second place.
The David Brown Era
In 1947, David Brown acquired Aston Martin and introduced the iconic “DB” series of cars, named after his initials. The first DB car, the DB2, was introduced in 1950 and became an instant success. The DB series of cars continued with the DB4, DB5 and DB6, which were made famous by James Bond in the 1960s films.
The Company’s Struggles
Despite the success of the DB series of cars, Aston Martin struggled financially throughout the 1970s and 1980s, changing ownership several times. In 1987, Ford acquired a majority stake in the company, which led to the development of the DB7, a car that revitalized the brand and brought it back to the forefront of the luxury sports car market.
The Modern Era
In 2007, Aston Martin was sold to a group of investors led by David Richards. Under this new ownership, the company has continued to produce high-performance sports cars, including the Vantage, DB11 and the recently unveiled Valkyrie, a hypercar developed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing.
The Future
The future of Aston Martin looks bright, with plans to introduce hybrid and electric models in the coming years. The company is also exploring new markets, including the SUV market with the recently unveiled DBX model.
Conclusion
Aston Martin has a rich history of producing some of the most iconic sports cars of all time. From the early years of hill climb racing to the modern era of hypercars and electric vehicles, the company has always stayed true to its roots of producing high-performance and luxurious cars. With a promising future ahead, Aston Martin is sure to continue to impress and inspire car enthusiasts around the world.
