Aston Martin is a British luxury car company that was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in London, England. The company was originally called Bamford & Martin Ltd. and produced high-performance racing cars. The name Aston Martin was later adopted after Lionel Martin successfully raced a car at the Aston Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Aston Martin continued to produce racing cars and also began producing luxury touring cars. However, the company struggled financially and went through several ownership changes. In 1947, the company was acquired by David Brown Limited, which also owned the Lagonda car company. Under Brown's ownership, Aston Martin produced some of its most iconic models, including the DB5, which was famously driven by James Bond in the 1964 film Goldfinger.
In 1972, Aston Martin was sold to a consortium of investors, but the company continued to struggle financially and went through several more ownership changes over the next few decades. In 1987, Ford Motor Company acquired a 75% stake in Aston Martin, and in 1994, Ford became the sole owner of the company. Under Ford's ownership, Aston Martin saw a resurgence in popularity and produced several successful models, including the DB7 and the Vanquish.
In 2007, Ford sold Aston Martin to a consortium of investors led by Prodrive founder David Richards. Since then, Aston Martin has continued to produce high-performance luxury sports cars, including the DB11 and the Vantage. In 2018, Aston Martin went public with an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.
Television shows and movies that have featured Aston Martin cars include:
- James Bond films (various models throughout the franchise)
- The Avengers (1961-1969) - featuring the iconic DB5
- The Persuaders! (1971-1972) - starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis, featuring the DBS
- The Saint (1962-1969) - starring Roger Moore, featuring the DB4 and DBS
- The Cannonball Run (1981) - featuring the V8 Vantage
- The Living Daylights (1987) - featuring the V8 Vantage Volante
- Batman Begins (2005) - featuring the DB5
Famous people who have owned Aston Martin cars over the years include:
- James Bond (fictional character)
- David Brown (owner of Aston Martin from 1947-1972)
- Peter Sellers (actor)
- Paul McCartney (musician)
- Rowan Atkinson (actor)
- Daniel Craig (actor, also known for playing James Bond)
- Tom Brady (American football player)
- David Beckham (former footballer)
- Prince Charles (British royal)
Overall, Aston Martin has had a tumultuous history, with many ownership changes and financial struggles. However, the company has remained a symbol of British luxury and craftsmanship, producing some of the remarkably iconic and desirable cars in the world.