London Show Reveals Details of Aston Martin Celebration

October 12, 2015 Staff Comments Off

One of Britain’s best-loved luxury car manufacturers, Aston Martin, will be celebrated in grand style at the inaugural Classic & Sports Car – The London Show, with a stunning collection of some of the luxury brand’s most iconic models, from the oldest-surviving to the very latest. Seven of Aston Martin’s handbuilt machines will appear at the Alexandra Palace event from 30th October to 1st November in a display sponsored by EFG International. A3 Taking the Aston Martin story back to the very beginning, an ultra-rare A3 will headline the display. The 1921 car, the oldest Aston Martin in existence, was the fourth and only survivor of marque founders Robert Bamford’s and Lionel Martin’s original prototypes. The car is now looked after by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. DB MkIII Fewer than 500 DB MkIIIs were built from 1957 to 1959 and hardly […]

Aston Martin Appoints Laura Schwab President

October 8, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Schwab as President for Aston Martin The Americas, reporting to Global Sales Director Christian Marti, effective 26 October. Laura joins Aston Martin from Jaguar Land Rover where she worked most recently as Marketing Director, leading marketing communications, experiential events, sponsorships, product marketing, customer engagement and corporate social responsibility. Based at the company’s regional headquarters in Irvine, California, Laura’s role as Regional President embraces sales and service, public relations, brand marketing and communications to both Aston Martin’s customers and 46 dealers in the region, spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Having graduated from University of Kentucky College of Law, Laura started her career with a technology start-up company in Southern California, before joining the automotive industry and since amassing fifteen years’ experience across a variety of operational, sales […]

VotW – Aston Martin Vulcan

October 7, 2015 Michael Carnell Comments Off

Our video this week is courtesy of Aston Martin. Normally we don’t use purely promotional videos as our VotWs, but this one is simply too cool to pass up. As the last remaining airworthy Avro Vulcan prepares for its final flight later this month, the iconic 1950s British V bomber has been united with its modern namesake: the Aston Martin Vulcan. Vulcan XH558 – currently being operated by the charitable trust Vulcan To The Sky – is due to retire from ‘active service’ in October, going on to form the centrepiece of the educational Vulcan Aviation Academy & Heritage Centre at her home base, Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster. Ahead of that final flight, the famous Cold War-era long range bomber was paired with the Aston Martin Vulcan – the new track-only supercar – via a special fly-past at Elvington […]

Behind the scenes - Aston Martin DB10 and SPECTRE

Behind the Scenes – Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre

October 2, 2015 Staff Comments Off

This behind-the-scenes video focuses on the Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre. Director Sam Mendes and actor Daniel Craig share their thoughts on the collaboration with Aston Martin. Stunt Coordinator Gary Powell discusses his experience with the DB10 in Rome. Spectre will be released in the UK on October 26, 2015 and in the US on November 6, 2015. The DB10 was developed specifically for Spectre, just ten examples were built, all of which survived the grueling stunt sequences. The exclusive sports car celebrates Aston Martin’s half century association with James Bond, which started with the iconic DB5 in 1964. Note: Press release courtesy of Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Opens Belfast Facility

September 25, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin Belfast’s new facility opened its doors last night as customers enjoyed a celebratory reception to mark the occasion and were treated to an exclusive display. The dealership, which continues to be operated by long-term partner Charles Hurst, benefits from a £1m development and signals the group’s commitment to the luxury British brand. Opened officially by Marcus Blake, Aston Martin Regional Director, UK, the new dealership benefits from a luxurious new and pre-owned showroom, dedicated aftersales team and a workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. As a result, both current and future Aston Martin customers from Northern Ireland and Ireland can continue to expect the highest levels of customer service. Attendees were also treated to a private viewing of the new Aston Martin DB10 which will be seen in the upcoming James Bond film Spectre. Also included in the […]

Bonhams Offers Best of British

September 19, 2015 Staff Comments Off

With British-made classic cars continuing to hold their own at auction, Bonhams is offering for sale a unique collection of Bentley, Aston Martin, Frazer Nash and Invicta vehicles. The fleet was assembled by Lancashire-based businessman Gordon Willey. British cars are sometimes effectively beating more highly estimated cars at auction. With Ferraris hitting records, buyers have been selective in recent sales at several houses. Willey’s multi-million-pound collection includes seven Bentleys such as a 1929 4½-Litre Tourer estimated at £400,000-£500,000. There are also pre-war cars such as a 1938 Frazer-Nash BMW 328 Roadster, once owned by British dance-band leader Billy Cotton and estimated at £550,000-£650,000 ($101,000). The lots also include Willey’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon, estimated at £400,000-£500,000, and delivered new to the Nizam of Nabunda. There is also an ex-Nigel Dawes 1934 Invicta 4½-Litre ‘S’ Type Low Chassis Tourer, […]

Aston Martin is today confirming DB11 as the name of its forthcoming sports car.

Aston Martin Confirms DB11 Name

September 15, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is today confirming DB11 as the name of its forthcoming sports car. The new model – to be unveiled during 2016 – will sit at the heart of the luxury British brand’s range and represents the first major product of the company’s bold Second Century Plan. While all technical and design details will be announced in due course, the confirmation of the name – which follows in the footsteps of other iconic Aston Martin sports cars such as the DB5 and DB9 – signals the start of an exciting period of dynamic product development by the company. Announcing the DB11, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Today I am proud and pleased to confirm that the DB11 nameplate will sit on our next new car. “Not only is it a sign of our intention to continue the […]

Spectre Drives James Bond Aston Martin DB10

September 13, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin has revealed a short video featuring Spectre stunt driver Mark Higgins at the wheel of James Bond’s newest Aston Martin – the DB10. The DB10 was developed specifically for Spectre and just ten examples have been built. The exclusive sports car celebrates Aston Martin’s half century association with James Bond, which started with the iconic DB5. Note: Press release courtesy of Aston Martin Cars.

Aston Martin Launches Assured Provenance

September 11, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is today unveiling an authoritative new Assured Provenance certification programme which, for the first time in the brand’s 102-year history, comprehensively assesses the background of its heritage sports cars. Created to offer a true blue riband service to heritage car owners and collectors, and drawing on the unrivalled knowledge of a committee of authoritative Aston Martin experts, the pioneering Assured Provenance certification programme is administered and run by the brand’s world-renowned in-house heritage car facility – Aston Martin Works. The first official authentication programme to be provided in-house by Aston Martin, the new scheme offers four levels of verification to take into account not simply all-original examples, but also sports cars that have been modified by Aston Martin itself over the years. As part of the painstaking procedure of examination and authentication, all cars submitted to the process […]

Aston Martin DBSV8 Sotheby Special to Auction

September 10, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Joining the headlining Colton Collection Ferraris at H&H Classics’ 14 October Duxford sale is another car from one of the Grandes Marques, this time an Aston Martin, though certainly not one many would recognise. Named the ‘Sotheby Special’, after sponsor W.D. & H.O. Wills’ brand of cigarettes (yes, the ‘Sotheby’ comes from a short-lived licensing deal with the auction house), the cutting edge lines of the car were by Ogle Design, the Letchworth-based studio also responsible for the Raleigh Chopper bike, Reliant’s Scimitar GTE and the Bond Bug. The Sotheby Special was based on an Aston Martin DBS V8 chassis (DBSV8/10380/R), with outrageous 1970s glassfibre coachwork supported on a Reynolds 531 tubular steel frame. The entire ‘glasshouse’ is in Perspex. Under the bonnet lies an early prototype Aston Martin V8, while the cockpit is a riot of bright green courtesy […]

Aston Martin to the Goodwood Revival

September 10, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin returns to the evocative surroundings of the Goodwood Revival this weekend, with a selection of superb sports cars that celebrate the 102-year-old brand’s rich and exciting heritage. The luxury British sports car maker is once again an automotive partner of this year’s meeting at the famous old English race circuit where examples of some of Aston Martin’s most exclusive and highly-prized sports cars of the revival period – 1948-1966 – will be on show, and in action. Among the cars set to do battle on the West Sussex track will be a rare and valuable DB4 GT driven by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. Aside from the numerous iconic Aston Martin racing cars in action on the Goodwood track, the 1950s-inspired Earls Court motorshow will play host to a broad selection of Aston Martin models from […]

Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition

September 2, 2015 Michael Carnell Comments Off

For more than half a century Aston Martin has been the sports car of choice for the world’s most famous spy, James Bond. Now, the luxury British brand is celebrating the release of Spectre with the launch of the strictly limited DB9 GT Bond Edition. Limited to 150 examples worldwide, the highly desirable model is based on the recently launched DB9 GT. Designed to offer the best of what DB9 can be, the DB9 GT delivers world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence. Building on these exceptional foundations, the new Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition adds even greater levels of exclusivity by virtue of its limited edition build run along with a host of carefully considered trim, equipment and accessory additions that celebrate the brand’s more than 50-year association with the famous film franchise. Subtle styling additions The DB9 GT […]

Aston Martin Preps For Busy September

August 28, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin Works is preparing for a busy September of new sports car sales handovers, led by its first delivery of the sold-out Vantage GT12. The arrival of the ‘65’ registration plate will trigger the traditional September sales spike as eager buyers of the great British brand’s luxury sports cars take delivery of their new models. The Newport Pagnell business – among the busiest Aston Martin dealerships in the world since it opened its impressive new car showroom in 2012 – is gearing up for one of its most hectic months of the year as buyers from across the UK collect their new cars. Leading the charge from the Buckinghamshire showroom this September is the arrival of one of the first new Vantage GT12 sports cars to be handed over to a UK customer. With production strictly limited to just […]

Aston Martin Announces Apprenticeship Openings

August 27, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin’s bold Second Century Plan for global growth and development is benefiting young job seekers, with news of more opportunities to join the business in sought-after apprenticeship roles. The luxury British sports car maker – which currently employs almost 40 young apprentices across a wide variety of functions at its modern factory and global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire – is today announcing ten more apprenticeships in a selection of priority positions. The recruitment drive will see the apprentices join the business on a four-year fixed contract to learn their trade in one of the following areas: Paint, Trim, Maintenance, Control Engineering and Robotics, or Manufacturing Engineering. To be considered for one of the ten places available, candidates must be aged 16 to 18 and have five GCSE passes (or equivalent) at grade C or above, including Maths, English and […]

Aston Martin Opens New Logistics Facility

August 11, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is today announcing the opening of a new warehouse and logistics hub. Created to support the future expansion of the business, the new facility is located at Wellesbourne, close to the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Representing a multi-million pound investment, the new development is the largest storage and distribution base in the company’s 102-year history. Aston Martin Manufacturing Operations Director Keith Stanton said: “The opening of this superb new facility at Wellesbourne is a vital part of our Second Century Plan. “Ensuring we have the right materials in the right place at the right time is, of course, fundamental to our manufacturing process. As the volume and complexity of our operations increases in the months and years ahead, we will be relying on the team at Wellesbourne to help us deliver our exciting new generation of Aston […]

Aston Martin 2016 DB9 GT to Debut at Pebble Beach

August 6, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin’s new 2016 DB9 GT will make its global debut as part of the marque’s presence at the Pebble Beach® Automotive Week from 13 August, accompanied by a glimpse of Aston Martin’s Second Century with the DBX concept, Lagonda Taraf and Aston Martin Vulcan supercar all set for appearances. The DB9 GT is the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date, designed to offer world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence. Claiming the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now boasts 540bhp – the DB9 GT continues a distinguished tradition of luxury, excitement and style with a raft of engineering, equipment and styling developments calculated to make this the very best of what DB9 can be. Aston Martin’s ‘Second Century’ plan was announced by Dr. […]

Aston Martin at Silverstone Classic Anniversary

July 27, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin Works was one of the stars of the show at this year’s 25th anniversary Silverstone Classic. In its 60th year, the Newport Pagnell-based business once again attended the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival with a display comprising a selection of modern and heritage Aston Martin sports cars to celebrate its diamond jubilee.

Aston Martin Vulcan to Race at Spa 24 Hours

July 23, 2015 Staff Comments Off

The highly-anticipated Aston Martin Vulcan will attend the showpiece of the Blancpain Endurance Series, the TOTAL 24 Hours of Spa, this weekend (25 July) and will demonstrate its abilities as the ultimate track-only machine as it completes two flying laps of the world-famous circuit. With its 800-plus bhp powertrain developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, the 7.0-litre V12 Aston Martin Vulcan will be driven by works driver Darren Turner (GB), who has been involved in the design and development of the car from its inception. Turner has more than 20 years experience in developing racing cars and relished the opportunity to put this track-knowledge into Aston Martin’s most extreme sportscar. “It’s been amazing to have been involved in this project from the beginning,” said Turner. “From the conceptual sketches through to working with the designers on driver ergonomics, it […]

Upcoming Barons Auto Auction

July 19, 2015 Staff Comments Off

2015 is proving to be a bumper year for Barons. Its sale at Sandown Park on July 28th is set to be the company’s biggest yet, both in terms of numbers of cars entered – more than 80 are expected – and in value of the lots on offer. The star lot, an exceptionally rare and original 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage, has been joined by an equally rare 1964 Bentley S3 Continental at the head of the extensive and diverse auction entry list. In addition, following on from the success in April, when Barons had its highest-value sale to date and set a company record for an individual car when it achieved £739,000 for a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback ‘barn find’ restoration project, the auction house has now been entrusted with a second example of […]

Video of the Week – Discover Aston Martin DB9

July 15, 2015 Staff Comments Off

Founded in 1913 by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin as ‘Bamford & Martin Ltd’, Aston Martin has developed into an iconic brand synonymous with luxury and elegance. 1914 saw the birth of the name ‘Aston Martin’ following one of Lionel Martin’s successful runs at the Aston Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire, England. Within a year, the first Aston Martin had been built and registered with the name, and an icon of the automotive world was born. Obviously, our Video of the Week this time around focuses on the iconic favorite of James Bond, Aston Martin and the DB range in particular. The DB9 is a true automotive icon. A badge and bloodline which represents all that is great about Aston Martin – and British supercars in general. Each Friday during January 2014 Aston Martin released an exclusive film exploring the design, engineering, […]