Aston
Martin launches global celebrations marking a century of success
15 January 2013, Gaydon: British
sports car maker Aston Martin launches its year of centenary celebrations today
with a return to its roots in London.
The
luxury brand is marking the official anniversary of its founding 100 years ago
today with a ceremony in Chelsea’s Henniker Mews – the original home of the
company that went on to become Aston Martin, founded on 15 January 1913.
Joining
with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust to unveil a commemorative plaque at
Henniker Mews, the sports car maker is lining up a special centenary edition of
its new ultimate GT – the Vanquish – alongside the oldest Aston Martin in
existence, A3.
Aston
Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “I am proud to be celebrating 100 years of
heritage and the best of British craftsmanship.
“Aston
Martin is known around the world for our leading design combined with advanced
technology. Ours is the coolest luxury car brand on the planet and I am looking
forward to our second century of building the world’s most desirable sports
cars.”
Speaking
at the unveiling, Roger Carey, Chairman of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust said:
“It’s fitting, I think, that we have both the newest and oldest Aston Martins
in existence here at Henniker Mews, where this remarkable story began 100 years
ago.
“This
is where the workshops were first located and the Aston Martin Heritage Trust
felt it was important to record the centenary by creating and displaying a
plaque commemorating the start of such an iconic car business.”
Aston
Martin Chairman, David Richards said: “It’s great to be back at the place where
it all started. The Aston Martin story reaches a significant milestone in 2013
with our unique heritage and fiercely independent tradition inspiring exciting
chapters yet to come.
“We
look forward to sharing this milestone with our team, our partners, our customers
and Aston Martin enthusiasts around the world.”
Today’s
event in London marks 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 iconic 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.
Dr
Bez explained: “Aston Martin remains one of the most exclusive and sought-after
brands in the world, so it’s right that our centenary celebrations take place
around the globe this year.
“It’s
appropriate that we mark the first 100 years of the company in this way and, with
exceptional new cars like our ultimate GT – the Vanquish – timeless new DB9 and
super-exclusive V12 Zagato, we clearly have a vibrant and exciting future
ahead.”
Today’s
London event recalls the day 100 years ago when founders Lionel Martin and
Robert Bamford saw their new automotive venture incorporated as ‘Bamford and Martin Ltd’. Production
of the very first Aston Martin car, known as 'Coal Scuttle' commenced soon
after. The ‘Aston’ element was inspired by Lionel Martin’s passion for hill
climb competitions, in particular the Aston Clinton hill climb in
Buckinghamshire.
For
further updates view the centenary web page and sign up to receive the newsletter
www.astonmartin.com/100 .
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
A3 – Aston Martin prototype
(1921)
The
first Aston Martin, named Coal Scuttle was built in 1914. Following Coal
Scuttle and the Great War, three more prototype cars were built including Bunny
(no longer in existence) and chassis number A3 which was the third Aston Martin
ever built and the oldest in existence. The car is now owned by the Aston
Martin Heritage Trust.
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
James Bond - 007
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