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Your support makes all the difference.It’s as British as a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit, will forever be associated with James Bond and next week Aston Martin will be 100 year.
To celebrate the official incorporation of the company 100 years ago and to commemorate the historic occasion, the oldest surviving Aston Martin – the 1921 A3 – and a new Vanquish, the brand’s ultimate Grand Tourer, will take their places on 15 January at Henniker Mews in Chelsea – the original home of Aston Martin – where a commemorative plaque will be unveiled.
This year has seen the company in the spotlight, first with its Aston Martin DB5 seeing a return to fame with Daniel Craig in Skyfall and then with the announcement that the Midlands firm had agreed a £150m investment from Investindustrial, hopefully making the long-term future of the firm more secure. Here’s hoping that there’s enough fuel for at least another 100 years of Aston Martin in the tank.
Aston Martin through the ages
A3 (1921)
The first Aston – originally names the Coal Scuttle – was built in 1915. After the First Wold War, three more prototypes were built and this – A3 – is the oldest ever Aston still in existence.
Aston Martin DB5 (1964)
To many this is the original Aston Martin, but the firm had been making cars for 50 years before it came along. We have Goldfinger to thank for it becoming a 20 century design icon.
Aston Martin DBS (1967)
The original DBS was driven by George Lazenby in Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but unlike Sean Connery’s DB5 it hardly got any gadgets at all. Poor George.
V12 Vantage (2005 onwards)
This is the perfect example of what happens when you stick a massive engine in a tiny sports car. Great fun, if you can keep it on the road. Just what an Aston should be.
One-77 (2009)
Only 77 of these babies were made (and they were mainly sold to oil-rich sheikhs), but the One-77 is the most-powerful and luxurious Aston Martin ever made, which shouldn’t be a shock considering its price tag of £1.2m.
Cygnet (2011)
OK, it’s controversial and technically a Toyota IQ that Aston has wrapped in luxury leather, but the Cygnet marked a new direction for the company in city motoring when it launched in 2011. It’s bonkers really but great fun. Hasn’t sold as well as hoped.
Aston Martin DB9 (2013)
The latest DB9, launched this month, is seen by many as the best Aston Martin ever. Indy Motoring hasn’t got behind the wheel yet, but expect our verdict soon. It certainly looks pretty.
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