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Aston Martin's Roller Coaster Ride
The story of the British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, Aston Martin started in 1915. Since then the company has witnessed many changes. The company gets its name from one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire. The story is as unique as its cars. As one continues reading, it can very easily be noticed that the company's ride has been a roller coaster with unexpected ups and downs.
Once upon a time, during the early 20th century, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford sold and serviced cars in London. Martin also raced specials at Aston Hill. Very soon the idea of making their own vehicles struck the two. In 1915, Martin fitted a four cylinder engine to the chassis of a 1908 Isotta Fraschini to build their first car. Unfortunately, after that, though they found enough space, World War I came in the way of their new car production task. Martin joined the Admiralty and Bamford the Royal Army Service Corps. All their machinery was sold. But, the two didn't give up.
They re-founded the Aston-Martin company in Kensington and designed a new car. In 1922, they produced cars to participate in the French Grand Prix. Their cars set world speed and endurance records. Three cars, the Green Pea, the Razor Blade and Halford Special were built for racing and record breaking. By 1924, after building 55 cars in long and short chassis, their company went bankrupt. Lady Charnwood bought the company and put her son, John Benson on the board. But, the company failed again and, when Lionel Martin left, the company closed.
Later that year, Bill Renwick, Augustus Bertelli and few rich investors teamed up and took control of the company. They named it Aston Martin Motors. Renwick and Bertelli got together and made the one and only 'Renwick and Bertelli' motor car, the Buzzbox, which is used even today. After that, they chose to capitalize on the Aston Martin name which had already gained a great reputation. The brand name would give them a head start in the production of a completely new car. In the 1920s and 1930s, many Bertelli cars were made. Many open, two-seater sports cars and a few long chassis four seater tourers, dropheads and saloons were made. Bertelli was one of the very few car manufacturers who sat and raced in his self-designed car. This act further enhanced the brand name.
In 1932, the company was luckily rescued by sponsors from going bankrupt the second time. They now started concentrating on road cars. World War II hindered progress a second time. Till the beginning of the war, only 700 Aston Martin cars had been produced. Post war, David Brown Limited bought the Aston Martin company, thus saving it yet another time from financial crisis. The company now started with the production of the DB series of cars.
Once upon a time, during the early 20th century, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford sold and serviced cars in London. Martin also raced specials at Aston Hill. Very soon the idea of making their own vehicles struck the two. In 1915, Martin fitted a four cylinder engine to the chassis of a 1908 Isotta Fraschini to build their first car. Unfortunately, after that, though they found enough space, World War I came in the way of their new car production task. Martin joined the Admiralty and Bamford the Royal Army Service Corps. All their machinery was sold. But, the two didn't give up.
They re-founded the Aston-Martin company in Kensington and designed a new car. In 1922, they produced cars to participate in the French Grand Prix. Their cars set world speed and endurance records. Three cars, the Green Pea, the Razor Blade and Halford Special were built for racing and record breaking. By 1924, after building 55 cars in long and short chassis, their company went bankrupt. Lady Charnwood bought the company and put her son, John Benson on the board. But, the company failed again and, when Lionel Martin left, the company closed.
Later that year, Bill Renwick, Augustus Bertelli and few rich investors teamed up and took control of the company. They named it Aston Martin Motors. Renwick and Bertelli got together and made the one and only 'Renwick and Bertelli' motor car, the Buzzbox, which is used even today. After that, they chose to capitalize on the Aston Martin name which had already gained a great reputation. The brand name would give them a head start in the production of a completely new car. In the 1920s and 1930s, many Bertelli cars were made. Many open, two-seater sports cars and a few long chassis four seater tourers, dropheads and saloons were made. Bertelli was one of the very few car manufacturers who sat and raced in his self-designed car. This act further enhanced the brand name.
In 1932, the company was luckily rescued by sponsors from going bankrupt the second time. They now started concentrating on road cars. World War II hindered progress a second time. Till the beginning of the war, only 700 Aston Martin cars had been produced. Post war, David Brown Limited bought the Aston Martin company, thus saving it yet another time from financial crisis. The company now started with the production of the DB series of cars.
The DB cars were highly appreciated. Despite the praise, the company often went bankrupt. Ownership changed hands twice, till finally, in 1977, a good profit was made. The new masters made vantage, convertible, saloon and towns-styled cars. Once again, in the early 1980s, the company suffered financially and went close to shutting down of the production work. They now thought of concentrating on service and restoration.
Surprisingly, in 1981, Aston Martin became the world's fastest four-seater production car. However, in 1982, only 30 cars were produced. Aston Martin ran short of time and money. In 1986, the return of the fictional British agent James Bond to Aston Martin brought back some of its lost fame. The brand was doing very well. But, only the fittest survive. The company ran short of funds. In 20 years, only 5,000 cars had been produced. Finally, in 1991, Ford Motors agreed to take full control of Aston Martin. From 1994 until 2007 Aston Martin was part of the Ford Motor Company, becoming part of the company's Premier Automotive Group in 2000.
In December 2003, Aston Martin announced it would return to motor racing in 2005 and a new division called Aston Martin Racing was created for this purpose. But in 2006, once again, under rising economic pressure, Ford reconsidered its decision of investing on Aston Martin. It was decided that Aston Martin would be sold by means of an auction. On 12 March, 2007 an association led by Prodrive chairman, David Richards purchased Aston Martin. Ford, however, kept a stake in the company. During the same year, Aston Martin boosted its worldwide appeal by opening more dealers in Europe, China, Beijing and Shanghai. They now have 120 dealers in 28 countries. Aston Martin plans to bring its goods to India too.
The Birds, Goldfinger, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Living Daylights, Die another Day, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace; all these movies and more seem to have featured the Aston Martins. So, let's hope the Bond Car comes in quickly and captures the fast-growing Indian car market.
Surprisingly, in 1981, Aston Martin became the world's fastest four-seater production car. However, in 1982, only 30 cars were produced. Aston Martin ran short of time and money. In 1986, the return of the fictional British agent James Bond to Aston Martin brought back some of its lost fame. The brand was doing very well. But, only the fittest survive. The company ran short of funds. In 20 years, only 5,000 cars had been produced. Finally, in 1991, Ford Motors agreed to take full control of Aston Martin. From 1994 until 2007 Aston Martin was part of the Ford Motor Company, becoming part of the company's Premier Automotive Group in 2000.
In December 2003, Aston Martin announced it would return to motor racing in 2005 and a new division called Aston Martin Racing was created for this purpose. But in 2006, once again, under rising economic pressure, Ford reconsidered its decision of investing on Aston Martin. It was decided that Aston Martin would be sold by means of an auction. On 12 March, 2007 an association led by Prodrive chairman, David Richards purchased Aston Martin. Ford, however, kept a stake in the company. During the same year, Aston Martin boosted its worldwide appeal by opening more dealers in Europe, China, Beijing and Shanghai. They now have 120 dealers in 28 countries. Aston Martin plans to bring its goods to India too.
The Birds, Goldfinger, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Living Daylights, Die another Day, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace; all these movies and more seem to have featured the Aston Martins. So, let's hope the Bond Car comes in quickly and captures the fast-growing Indian car market.
