Aston Martin has had quite a tempestuous past, which many have forgotten in the recent success. The brand is currently enjoying a particularly buoyant period, with track specials like the
Vulcan
GT12
being joined by the newest of the DB range - the
DB11
- which must continue the popularity of the pivotal DB9. Here we look back at some of the most significant cars in Aston Martin's history.
The 'Coal Scuttle' is the first car to be emblazoned with the Aston Martin badge. Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford created the company in 1913 and a year after released the Coal Scuttle. Given the name because of its upswept cowl, it went on to enjoy success at a number of racing events.
The company went under a number of times and by 1928 the company had shut its doors and both founding members had abandoned ship. Later that year it was brought back from the dead thanks to a number of investors; however, nobody would be as important to the company as David Brown, who took ownership in 1947 and created the DB series.
The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the more famous models of the DB series thank to the James Bond link but the DB4 was more of a game changer in the automotive world. It not only helped the company compete with other sports car manufacturers but its design formed the basis for the Lagonda Rapide and DB4 GT Zagato, forging a famous relationship between the manufacturer and coachbuilder. Interestingly, It was also the first production car to manage 0-100mph-0 in less than 30 seconds.
Again, the company fell into financial ruin throughout the 70s and was then hit by the recession in the early 80s - at one point it was selling three cars a day worldwide.
The late 80s heralded a brighter a future for Aston when Ford agreed to take full control and announced the DB7. Initially designed to be a Jaguar F-Type, the design was adapted but did use XJ-S underpinnings. It was the first model not to be built using traditional coachbuilding methods and the only model in Aston Martin history to use a steel unit construction. The DB7 managed to exceed production numbers for all previous DB models combined and can be considered a saviour for the company.
While the DB7 saved the company during the 1990s, by the time the V12 version arrived it was becoming clear that something more modern would be required for the new millennium. So while we could have chosen something like a DB9 or V8 Vantage, our final game changer is the car that kick started 21st century Aston.
Vanquish
The Vanquish was the first car to be built under the VH engineering methodology (known as VH0) which came to be used across the entire model line-up. Bearing some similarity to the DB7 but now solely V12 powered, this is a car that has been voted in the top three best film cars ever only behind the DB5 and the Mini. Die Another Day was good for something, see?
Which leaves us here, 103 years after Aston first emerged, with the DB11. Not only must it continue the DB9's success, but it must also appease traditionalists by proving that the Daimler agreement still produces great Aston Martins. This plus the incorporation of new tech like turbos and electric steering. Will we look back on the DB11 as a game changer in the future?