Aston Martin hits the heights with centenary
spectacular in Dubai
January 2013, Dubai UAE:
Aston Martin, the quintessentially British sports car maker, is today continuing
its centenary celebrations in spectacular style at one of the world’s most
recognisable luxury destinations, the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
Today’s
audacious event features the airlift of Aston Martin’s ultimate GT, the
Vanquish, onto the helipad at the iconic hotel, in front of some of the
region’s most important dignitaries.
It’s
the first time a car has been placed onto the helipad, which sits 1,000ft above
the ground at the top of the sail-shaped building.
Speaking
from the helipad, Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: “It is with great pride
that we continue our centenary celebrations in such unique manner in the city
of Dubai.
“Today
we are achieving another world first – one of many for Aston Martin over the
years. This is a true feat for Aston Martin and a fantastic way to begin a new
century of global success for our iconic brand.”
The
event today underlines the company’s position as a globally renowned luxury car
brand, as Dr Bez explained: “Aston Martin remains one of the most exclusive and
sought-after brands in the world, so it is only right that a key element of our
year-long centenary celebrations takes place in a similarly high profile
destination.”
Witnessing
the remarkable event British Ambassador to the UAE Dominic Jermey said: “Aston
Martin is one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. “I cannot think of a more spectacular or
fitting way for this great British tradition to mark its one hundredth
anniversary, particularly in this city that is so passionate for luxury and
bespoke brands.”
This
week has already seen the official anniversary of the founding of Aston Martin
100 years ago with a ceremony in London’s Henniker Mews – the original home of
the company founded on 15 January 1913.
Aston
Martin is also marking the centenary with an exclusive Centenary Edition
specification that will be available worldwide on just 100 examples of each of
the car maker’s model lines: V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish.
Featuring
a unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wings
badges with tailored ‘trans flux’ enamel inlay and a special Aston Martin
hallmark, the exterior represents an exclusive new celebration of the company’s
100-year history.
The
events in London and Dubai mark the start of a year-long celebration of all
things Aston Martin, with events taking place worldwide over the next 12
months.
In
the UK, a week-long Aston Martin festival will take place from 15 July to 21
July. Designed to appeal to owners and enthusiasts of the brand, the Centenary
Week will include ‘open house’ activities at Aston Martin’s exclusive Gaydon
headquarters, including factory-based events and driving tours and will
culminate in a 1,000-guest ‘birthday party’ on Saturday 20 July and a
spectacular Centenary gathering in central London on Sunday 21 July.
This
highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and the Aston
Martin Owners Club will feature 100 of the brand’s most iconic cars in a
multi-million pound timeline display. The event will also see one of the
largest gatherings of Aston Martins in the 100-year history of the great
British marque.
In
addition, appearances at major automotive events throughout 2013 including
Nürburgring 24-Hours, Silverstone Classic, Villa D’Este, Le Mans 24-Hours and
Pebble Beach will ensure that the celebration is truly global.
10 things you didn’t know about Aston Martin:
- There have been 10 different versions of the iconic Aston Martin
badge. The current version was introduced in 2003
- The Aston Martin wings badge has its origins in ancient Egypt –
derived from the open wings of the scarab beetle
- In 100 years Aston Martin has produced just over 60,000 sports cars
- It is accurately estimated that more than 90% of all Aston Martins
built are still in existence
- Aston Martin has manufactured cars from seven locations in the past
100 years
- Aston Martin’s global HQ at Gaydon, the company’s first
purpose-built home, celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2013
- The Aston Martin Owners Club was founded in 1935 at The Grafton
Hotel, London
- The now sold-out One-77 hypercar is Aston Martin’s most exclusive,
powerful and expensive production model to date
- It took 2,700 man hours to produce each One-77
- The painting process for the current Aston Martin range takes
between 50 and 70 hours per car
Aston Martin timeline
1913
On 15 January 1913
Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin form Bamford and Martin Ltd, based in Henniker
Mews, off the Fulham Road in London
1915
The first Aston
Martin is registered on 16 March. It is christened ‘Coal Scuttle’ and powered by a
1389cc Coventry Climax engine
1920 The second prototype Aston Martin is developed at new premises at Abingdon Road, Kensington. It’s fitted with a
1487cc engine and front wheel brakes. It is the true forerunner to the first
production cars
Count Louis Zborowski begins to invest in the company and Robert Bamford
steps away
1922 An
Aston Martin prototype nicknamed ‘Bunny’ breaks ten world records in 16 1/2 hours at Brooklands. It averages
76mph
Aston Martin fields two cars at the French Grand Prix on 16 July
1925 The company
goes into receivership but is rescued by Lord Charnwood, John Benson, Augustus Cesare Bertelli and
William Renwick. It is renamed Aston Martin Motors and relocates to Feltham,
Middlesex
1932 Bertelli
proves the speed and endurance of Aston Martin’s new range by winning the Biennial
Cup at the Le Mans 24 hour race with Pat Driscol
Sir Arthur Sutherland becomes the new owner of Aston Martin and focuses
his efforts on a new road car range
1935 The Aston
Martin Owners’ Club is founded at The Grafton Hotel on Tottenham Court Road, London
1939 The highly
advanced Atom prototype takes shape. It has an early type of spaceframe
chassis, independent front suspension, an aerodynamic shape and a four-speed
Cotal electric gearbox
1947 Engineering magnate David Brown answers an ad in The Times seeking an owner for a ‘high class
motor business’ and buys Aston Martin for £20,000. Following the purchase of
Lagonda he forms Aston Martin Lagonda
1948 A 2-litre Sports wins the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race
1949 Three DB2s tackle the Le Mans 24 hours, including one with a new
2.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine designed by Willie Watson
1955 David Brown buys Tickford Motor Bodies in Newport Pagnell,
Buckinghamshire. Production of Aston Martins begins to migrate to the new
facility
1958 The DB4 is launched, powered by a new 3.7-litre in-line six cylinder
engine designed by Tadek Marek. It produces 240bhp and propels the DB4 to
140mph. The four-seater body is designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, using
their 'Superleggera' construction method in which handmade aluminium panels are
fixed to a tubular frame built onto a substantial platform chassis
1959 The DBR1 wins the World Sports Car Championship with victories in the
Nürburgring 1000km and at Goodwood along the way. The crowning glory is
outright victory at the Le Mans 24 hour with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori
at the wheel
1960 Aston Martin begins its long association with Milan-based coachbuilder
Zagato. The DB4 GT Zagato features a 314bhp engine, acrylic windows and a super
lightweight body. Only 19 are produced between 1960-1963
1964 Sean Connery as James Bond
drives the new DB5 in Goldfinger and
an iconic on-screen relationship is born
1972 David Brown sells Aston Martin and Company Developments take control. In
a period of uncertainty Aston Martin changes hands again
1975 Canadian George Minden and
American businessman Peter Sprague rescue the company from administration
1976 The controversial William Towns’-designed Lagonda is launched. It
attracts a huge amount of publicity and sales are strong
1981 The company changes hands again, this time bought by Tim Hearley’s CH
Industrial and Victor Gauntlett’s Pace Petroleum. Gauntlett becomes chairman
and quickly begins to turn Aston Martin around
1984 Automotive Industrial becomes sole owners of Aston Martin but Gauntlett
stays on in his role. He’s soon a shareholder again when shipping magnate Peter
Livanos takes a 75% share and Gauntlett the remaining 25%
1986 The Vantage Zagato is launched and becomes one of the fastest supercars
in the world with a top speed of 186mph. Just 52 Coupés and 37 Volantes are
produced
1987 Ford Motor Company takes a 75% share of Aston Martin and later becomes
sole owner. A period of rapid investment begins
1993 The Ian Callum-designed DB7 is unveiled at the Geneva Auto Salon. It
goes on sale the following year and is produced at a new factory in Bloxham,
Oxfordshire. The DB7 goes on to become the most significant Aston Martin to
date and represents a turning point for the company
1993 The 550bhp Vantage is launched to great acclaim
1999 DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante versions are produced using the first V12 production engine for Aston Martin
2000 A new era begins under Dr Ulrich Bez, who becomes Chairman and CEO. His
vision of a modern Aston Martin will mark the beginning of the most successful
period in Aston Martin’s history
2001 A new supercar utilising a bonded aluminium chassis and body with carbon fibre composites is
launched. The V12 Vanquish sets a new blueprint for Aston Martin
2003 Aston Martin’s new global headquarters is opened in Gaydon,
Warwickshire. It’s the first purpose-built facility in the company’s history
2003 DB9 production gets underway at Gaydon – the first car to use VH architecture
2004 Aston Martin’s engine plant in Cologne, Germany commences production of
all V12 and V8 engines
2005 The DBR9 marks a return to the racetrack. It will go on to secure class
victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008
2007 A new chapter in the company’s history is written as Aston Martin
returns to independence. The Ford Motor Company sells Aston Martin to a
consortium of two international investment houses, Investment Dar and Adeem
Investment, led by Chairman David Richards
2009 The rapid development of the brand continues. The four-door Rapide is
unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow and the V12 Vantage and DBS Volante are
launched. Aston Martin also unveils the ultimate expression of the marque, the
One-77. On its debut the One-77 wins the Design Award in the Concepts and
Prototypes Class at the Concorse d’Eleganza, Ville d’Este, Italy
2011 An historic partnership is rekindled with the launch of the V12 Zagato
at the Concorso d’Eleganza, Ville d’Este, Italy. It also went on to win the Design
Award in the Concepts and Prototypes Class at the Concorse d’Eleganza
2012 The iconic Vanquish name returns for a new flagship. This ultimate grand
tourer combines world-leading design, industry-leading technology and advanced
engineering to create a car that is the best Aston Martin in history
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