Aston Martin

Year of foundation 1913

Die Geschichte von Aston Martin ist eine faszinierende Mischung aus Rennsportleidenschaft, britischer Eleganz und einer Reihe finanzieller Höhen und Tiefen, die den Mythos des Unternehmens geprägt haben.

Die Anfänge und die Geburt des Namens
Alles begann 1913, als der Mechaniker Robert Bamford und der Fahrer Lionel Martin Bamford & Martin in London gründeten. Das Unternehmen verkaufte zunächst Singer-Autos, doch Martins Leidenschaft für den Rennsport brachte die beiden bald dazu, eigene Fahrzeuge zu entwickeln. Der Name „Aston Martin“ entstand 1914, nachdem Lionel Martin ein berühmtes Bergrennen, das London-Aston Clinton, gewonnen hatte – eine Kombination aus dem Namen des Rennens und seinem Nachnamen.

Die David Brown-Ära und der Aufstieg
Nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg und mehreren Phasen finanzieller Schwierigkeiten kam 1947 der Wendepunkt, als der Unternehmer David Brown das Unternehmen und den Automobilhersteller Lagonda kaufte. Unter seiner Führung erlebte Aston Martin seine Blütezeit und verlagerte die Produktion auf luxuriöse, hubraumstarke Grand Tourer. In dieser Zeit entstanden die ikonischsten Modelle, die mit seinen Initialen gekennzeichnet waren: die „DB“-Serie.

DB2 (1950): Der erste einer langen und erfolgreichen Serie.

DB4 (1958): Ein Grand Tourer, der den Stil von Aston Martin für Jahrzehnte prägte.

The history of Aston Martin is a fascinating blend of passion for racing, British elegance, and a series of financial ups and downs that have shaped its legend.

The Beginnings and the Birth of the Name
It all began in 1913, when mechanic Robert Bamford and driver Lionel Martin founded Bamford & Martin in London. The company initially sold Singer cars, but Martin's passion for racing soon led the two to develop their own vehicles. The name "Aston Martin" was born in 1914, after Lionel Martin won a famous hillclimb, the London-Aston Clinton, combining the name of the race with his surname.

The David Brown Era and the Rise
After the First World War and several periods of financial difficulty, the turning point came in 1947, when entrepreneur David Brown purchased the company and the Lagonda car manufacturer. Under his leadership, Aston Martin experienced its golden age, shifting production toward luxury, large-displacement grand tourers. It was during this period that the most iconic models, identified by his initials, were born: the "DB" series.

DB2 (1950): The first of a long and successful series.

DB4 (1958): A grand tourer that defined the Aston Martin style for decades to come.

DB5 (1963): The classic car par excellence, immortalized by cinema. Made famous by the James Bond films, it is the icon of the brand and the epitome of English luxury and style.

Sporting successes and financial turbulence
Beyond commercial success, Aston Martin has a strong racing tradition. Its pinnacle came in 1959, when the DBR1, driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite its sporting successes and prestige, the company's history has been marked by numerous financial difficulties and changes of ownership, which have severely challenged its stability.

Return to the spotlight
After being acquired by Ford, which contributed to its revival with models such as the DB7 and Vanquish, Aston Martin continued to evolve. Today, under the guidance of new investors, the company continues to produce models that combine power and luxury, such as the recent Vantage, DB12, and the DBX SUV. The brand has also returned to Formula One as a racing team, strengthening its connection to the world of racing and its image of performance and innovation.