The British car brand has undertaken a determined commitment to the highest category in the world of motorsports since it made its debut as a team in 2021. Not surprisingly, speed has made them tick for a long time, since we must not forget that it is specialized in luxury sports cars.
To learn a little more about what this house means to the automotive world, at AutoUsaPremium we are going to tell you 11 things you didn’t know about Aston Martin. The truth is that it has a very interesting story behind it and one that will surely surprise you as you read the next lines that follow.
They will leave you speechless: 11 unknown things about Aston Martin
After having warmed up through the introduction, it is time to stop talking and get to the point, revealing various curiosities, anecdotes and striking data about the new home of the two-time F1 world champion.
1. The reason for its name
Founded in 1913, the company was initially called Bambford & Martin., but a year later it changed its nomenclature to stay with the current one. The reason was to honor one of the founders, Lionel Martin, and the feat he achieved when he won the race called Aston-Clinton on the same date the company was created and signs driving one of his first models.
The other founder was called Robert Bamford and together with his partner he joined forces to make vehicles for Singer. Subsequently, they decided to embark on an adventure to make their own cars and they bought a store located in the London neighborhood of Kensington. In 1915 they produced their first work, but with the beginning and development of the First World War the entire production fell apart.
2. The logo and its continuous changes
The illustrious logo of the house has been modified a dozen times throughout its history, the current one being introduced in 2003. The feathers it contains on its label are inspired by Ancient Egypt, specifically on the wings of the beetle. However, in 2022 it is going to update it with a design that will be simplified and that has had the collaboration of the artisans of the Jewelery Quarter of Birmingham.
Besides, will be accompanied by the slogan “Intensity. Driven”, with the intention of emphasizing the emotions that drivers feel when they get behind the wheel of their cars and the bond they establish with theirs. As we will see later, his changing logos is not a product of chance.
3. His second creation took place in 1919
With the conclusion of the war conflict mentioned at the beginning, the brand resumed its activity through its two founders, who moved to other facilities located on Abingdon Road, also in Kensington, in some old stables, to continue their work. Production started in January 2020 after finishing the design work. Once that car was out, Bamford stepped aside and made the decision to leave the company he had co-founded just a few years earlier.
4. Constant comings and goings
Four years after Robert Bamford left the company, the company filed for bankruptcy. It was managed to recapitalize, but the efforts carried out were in vain when it had to close in 1926. It took two decades for David Brown, a businessman dedicated to gears and machine tools, to bring it back to life.
The truth is that it worked properly again, since it remained in good health for 40 years. However, in the 80’s the problems returned and Ford took over its ownership, first with 75 percent and, in 1994, with the remaining quarter. In 2007 he sold the company to a group of fans of the brand. At the moment, it is controlled by Investindustrial (34%), billionaire Lawrence Stroll (25%) and the rest is shared by investors wishing to enter, since it is an open capital company.
5. A pending account with Formula 1
In 1959, Aston Martin was encouraged to participate in the Formula 1 world championship, a contest that was taking its first steps. The great milestones achieved in the world of competition, such as his victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, they came face to face with reality, since their results were not very good, in such a way that their best performances were two sixth positions and a single podium that, to their bad luck, came in a non-scoring grand prix.
In 2018 they returned as a sponsor of the Red Bull team, without establishing a technical link, and in 2021 they did it as a team, although the engines they use in each race are still run by Mercedes. The great investment that they are carrying out with their new factory and the renowned personnel that is coming in have the mission of turning them into a winning team in the future.
6. The DB series marked an era among sports cars
In honor of David Brown, the DB car series was born, which jumped from 7 to 9 without the brand coming out to explain the reasons. Some say that they did it so as not to confuse those who wanted to buy, who might believe that it had a V8 engine under the hood when in fact it was equipped with a V12, others to avoid comparisons with the Jaguar XK8, since the 7 had many features in common. .
In 1959 he released the DB-4, a highly recognized car in the motor industry equipped with a 3.7 engine capable of reaching a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour. His appearance in this world helped define Aston Martin’s identity as a manufacturer of racing cars. Today, it is already at 11.
7. A great romance with James Bond
Thanks to James Bond and the success that this saga has achieved in theaters, Aston Martin has had a leading role in the seventh art. In fact, the DB-5 was the first to appear in a movie by the famous agent 007, Goldfinger, a reason with more than enough weight to become one of the most desired by fans of four wheels. However, the British brand was not the first choice for the film.
And it is that in the novels, the agent James Bond drives a Bentley, but the producer Eon Productions wanted the protagonist’s travel companion to be a Jaguar E-Type, but from the house they refused to give up the three units they requested for the filming. Given this, plan B embodied in Aston Martin was used, since David Brown was delighted with the idea.
8. They have not only made cars
Five years ago they released their first bicycle: the Storck Fascenario 3 Aston Martin Edition. He also developed the AMB 001 motorcycle with the manufacturer Brough Superior. However, they have also been involved in the design of airplanes, helicopters and homes. All of them have in common the fact that they are limited edition.
Even if it’s hard for you to believe, they even dared in their day with a bottle of whiskey: Black Bowmore DB5 1964. To do this, they associated with Bowmore Islay Single Malt, a benchmark in this alcoholic beverage. It costs 55,000 euros to enjoy each of the 25 bottles that they decided to sell.
9. He participated in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with a hydrogen car
In the 2013 edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (Germany), Aston Martin took part with the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S car, a car that they developed together with Alset Global and that made it the first brand to compete, internationally, with a car powered with this type of fuel. A great way to celebrate its centenary.
10. He lived through tragedy with a nobleman at the wheel
Count Louis Zebrowski was providing great financial support to the company during its early years of life, which made possible their participation in competition races. Unfortunately, in one of the Grand Prix that he competed in Europe, specifically in Italy, he experienced one of his worst moments. Zebrowski lost his life after a spectacular accident suffered in the race, which caused economic holes for the company and preceded the aforementioned bankruptcy.
11. The alliance with Mercedes beyond F1
From AMG, the sports division of the star brand, they provide 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engines for some of their models, such as the Vantage, the DBX, and the DB11. In addition, a good part of its future electrification will be borne by it. Not surprisingly, Mercedes-Benz AG will have 20 percent control of the British brand.