On January 15th, Aston Martin, one of the most prestigious car brands in the world, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Let’s take a look back at the history of this British automotive brand.
>> Italian company owns 37.5% of Aston Martin shares
Almost a century ago, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded a company called Bamford & Martin. Later it was renamed Aston Martin when Bamford won the Aston Clinton Hillclimb race, the first race that Aston Martin participated in.
Aston Martin then and now
After World War I, initial success appeared. In 1922, the racing cars made by the two creators continuously broke 10 world speed records at that time. However, that didn’t translate to profits and the company went bankrupt in 1925.
The Charnwood family, who had invested heavily in the company, took over and recruited Augustus Cesare Bertelli, a talented engineer, to create cars like International, Le Mans, and Ulster, names often heard on the podium of prestigious races, attracting the most renowned racers to Aston. However, that also couldn’t save the company from being handed over again in 1932.
After World War II, a new owner named David Brown acquired Aston Martin. David Brown had made his fortune in manufacturing tractors and other agricultural machinery.
DB2/4 Bertone Spider
In 1950, the DB2 (DB stands for David Brown) was introduced and immediately became a success, both on the racetrack and in the market.
In 1958, the masterpiece DB4 was launched. Encouraged by these successes, David Brown decided to create more models to participate in the world sports car championship. Aston won the championship in 1959 with the DBR1 and also won the Le Mans race that same year.
DB4 Zagato
The 1960s saw the birth of the DB5 and DB6, followed by the DB6 Volante convertible. However, it was the appearance alongside the secret agent James Bond in the movie Goldfinger that elevated Aston Martin’s reputation above any other competitor. In the film, Bond’s car was equipped with machine guns, a rotating number plate, bulletproof shield, smoke screen, oil slick, and an ejector seat in case of emergencies, just like a fighter jet. Suddenly, Aston Martin became familiar in every corner of the United States, and everyone wanted to own one. It was the peak of Aston Martin’s popularity.
DB5 may be the most beautiful Aston model
Things took a turn for the worse in the 1970s. In 1972, David Brown sold the company. A series of V8-powered cars consumed a lot of fuel and pushed the company into hardship at a time when the world was in conflict over oil and had begun implementing strict emissions regulations. Production dwindled to just a few dozen cars, and the company was sold to a group of investors before changing ownership again in 1981.
DB6 is an improvement over the DB5
The difficulties continued until 1987 when Ford Motor Company stepped in and acquired 75% ownership of Aston Martin. With strong support from the second-largest automotive company in the world at that time, the company suddenly found stability.
DB7 was launched under Ford’s ownership and this model brought great success
In 1993, Aston Martin introduced the DB7, a car that quickly achieved unprecedented success in the company’s history. In 1994, Ford took full ownership of Aston Martin. In 2004, Aston Martin DB9 was launched and received much praise from the media and consumers.
DB9 is the first car produced based on Aston Martin’s VH structure, and it has been applied to this day
In 2009, Aston Martin thrilled car enthusiasts with the release of the One-77 supercar. With a 7.3L V12 engine producing 750 horsepower, the One-77 was one of the most powerful supercars in the world at the time of its launch, with only 77 units produced at a price of 1.4 million British pounds.
One-77, the flagship model in the Aston Martin lineup
However, due to the economic crisis, Ford had to restructure and decided to sell Aston Martin for nearly $1 billion to Investment Dar, a Kuwaiti company, in 2007.
In 2012, Aston Martin changed ownership again, this time to Investindustrial, an Italian company. With the investment from Investindustrial, Aston Martin plans to spend $1 billion on developing new technologies and products. Aston Martin has been striving to establish itself as an independent manufacturer, competing with other luxury brands like Bentley and Ferrari.
Aston Martin logos through the years
| Logo’s birthThe original Aston Martin name was written with a hyphen in the middle, which was dropped when the company changed ownership for the first time in 1925. In 1930, this writing style was reused in some advertisements. When David Brown bought the company after World War II, he removed the hyphen and added his initials DB to the new car models, abbreviating his name. This writing style is still being used today.When the first car was produced, Lionel Martin chose a logo with a circle containing the intertwined initials AM.In 1928, a new logo style was introduced with the Aston Martin name written on a design resembling spread wings. In 1930, this logo style was retained with stylized wings. Finally, in 1932, the logo as we see it today appeared, featuring spread wings and the Aston Martin name, written with a hyphen in the middle, placed in the center. |
Thu Ha (TTTÐ)
When was the Geneva Exhibition established?
Car enthusiasts around the world are well aware of the prestigious Geneva Motor Show, which is considered one of the top five automotive exhibitions in the world. However, not many people know the origins of this exhibition, which takes place in Switzerland.
STORIES ABOUT 3 JAPANESE LUXURY CAR BRANDS (PART 2)
In the 1970s and 1980s, the idea of “luxury Japanese cars” was still unfamiliar to Americans. However, just a decade later, Americans had to change their perception of manufacturers from the “land of the rising sun.”
ZIS-101 – The First Luxury Car of the Soviet Union
Join us on a food journey like no other as we navigate the bustling streets, bustling markets, and bustling stalls of Saigon. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of Vietnam as you taste your way through the city’s culinary delights. Whether you’re a food lover, a history buff, or a curious traveler, our food tours are sure to leave you with a satisfied palate and a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine.
The Most Expensive Rolls-Royce Models Revealed
If supercars represent power and speed, then Rolls Royce cars are the epitome of luxury, a work of art that can glide on the road and provide the ultimate experience for its occupants.
Rolls-Royce celebrates its brand’s “top-notch” products
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has added another chapter to its long and illustrious history with the commemorative celebration of the 118th anniversary of the first meeting between its two founders, Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls, at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, United Kingdom in 1904.
