What’s Aston Martin and when did it start making cars?
Businessman Lionel Martin and engineer Robert Bamford founded Aston Martin in 1913 – ironically they became friends through cycling with the Bath Road Club after Martin got a two-year driving ban in 1909.
Bamford and Martin Ltd sold cars initially, its first in-house creation in 1915 a two-seater with a 1908 Isotta Fraschini chassis and Coventry Simplex engine, called the Coal Scuttle because of its look. The second came in 1920, thanks to WW1 – Bamford retired that year but Martin ploughed on, building racecars.
Strap in – the firm went bankrupt in 1924, was rescued, got into trouble again in 1925 and Martin forced to sell. More owners, another war. Tractor impresario David Brown bought Aston Martin in 1947, moved the factory to Newport Pagnell and the firm’s legendary period began.
He cashed out in 1972, but Aston was in administration by 1974, then sold to a US businessman. It was in trouble in 1981, sold again, then bought by Ford in 1987, bringing investment and upgrades to modern build techniques. But Ford eventually sold to an investment consortium in 2007. Was that it? The 2020 sale to Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll was a surprise… how long will that last?
Aston Martin’s greatest hits
01 Aston Martin DBR1
When the World Sportscar Championship regulations changed
