History of Aston Martin

Aston Martin was founded in 1914 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford and the brand’s name is a merging between the hill-climb circuit named Aston Hill and Lionel’s surname, Martin. Before the company was born, they worked for the car company Singer and raced cars at hill climbing and racing events, such as the Aston Hill, in Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire.


Then, the duo decided it was time to make their own cars and have their own car company, which they established in 1914 in Kensington. Their first car came out the following year.
         For the time of the World War I, car production at Aston Martin was suspended and replaced by aviation machinery production to help the war efforts. When the conflict was over, a new Aston Martin car was finally made and soon their first competition car was produced as well, in 1921. Their vehicles would break some speed and endurance records at a worldwide level. Nevertheless, the company’s plant had to be closed in 1926 due to some financial difficulties and Lionel Martin left. It was then that some wealthy investors, especially Bill Renwick and Augustus (Bert) Bertelli, took over the company, moved it to Feltham and renamed it, so Aston Martin Motors Limited was established, in 1926. Until 1937, Bertelli would be ahead of Aston Martin’s technical and design departments, being responsible for all the brand’s vehicles produced on that period of time.

                                 Robert Bamford               Lionel Martin

          Economic difficulties and management crisis and changes were a constant for the Aston Martin company. At this time, the direction board decided to reduce sports car production and instead focus on road cars. Also, with the beginning of the second World War, car manufacture once again shifted to aircraft accessories production. After the War and some more crisis, in 1947, the British company was saved by sir David Brown (of David Brown Ltd.), who bought both Aston Martin and Lagonda companies and joined them together by using either one’s technology and resources.
        In 1954 the Aston Martin headquarters moves once again and is relocated at Newport Pagnell. With David Brown ahead of the company, the classic “DB” car series start being produced. Financial and management crisis, however, continue and the 1970’s decade is a time of several management changes for the automaker.
        Finally, in 1981, Aston Martin is sold to Pace Petroleum’s Victor Gauntlett and to CH Industrials, who share a 50/50 acquisition of the company. Despite the amount of management changes, the company remained producing high quality vehicles and some models even re-entered the ‘James Bond’ movie sequel. Ford Motor Company enters the management scene as well to purchase 75% shareholding at Aston Martin in 1987, acquiring the full 100% holding in 1994.