| The company was founded in 1914 by Lionel Martin | | | | dual-exhaust system raised this to 178 hp. The |
| and Robert Bamford. The company name was | | | | regular car could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.3 |
| derived from the fact that Lionel Martin raced | | | | seconds and hit 120 mph (193 km/h). |
| specials at the Aston Clinton hill climb. | | | | 1958 - 1963, DB4. |
| Their first car was built in 1915 and was referred to | | | | Featured elegant coachwork designed by Touring of |
| as the Coal Scuttle. | | | | Milan, Italy. The handmade, aluminum bodywork |
| More cars were not built until 1920. | | | | panels were mounted on a steel tube frame, using |
| Three more prototype cars were built, chassis | | | | the Superleggera (meaning: super light) method of |
| number A3 was the third Aston Martin ever built and | | | | construction. All round disc brakes fitted, made first |
| is the oldest in existence with a 1.5 litre 11 hp four | | | | by Dunlop and later on by Girling. |
| cylinder side valve. In 1923 it was able to lap | | | | There were five series of the DB4, each series |
| Brooklands at 84.5 mph. | | | | introduced changes and improvements to the original |
| Two Grand Prix Team cars (TT1 and TT2) were built | | | | series one cars. Early cars have a mesh grille and |
| for Count Zborowski to compete in the 1922 Isle of | | | | simpler bumper design. Later cars are longer and |
| Man TT (although they were not ready in time) | | | | consequently heavier than early cars, some late |
| Originally featuring a engine with twin camshafts and | | | | series five cars had DB5 style headlamp covers. |
| 16 valves, the cars were then fitted with the Benson | | | | All DB4s were powered by a new six cylinder, all |
| Twin Cam engines. This was designed by The Hon. | | | | aluminum, 3670cc engine designed by Tadek Mereck, |
| John Benson as a new power unit for the cars just | | | | developing around 240bhp. |
| before Bamford and Martin called in the receivers in | | | | The DB4 offered excellent performance for the time, |
| 1925. A total of approx 61 cars were built during this | | | | 140mph top speed and 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. |
| era, insufficient to save the company. | | | | Overdrive transmission on most cars, the gearbox |
| 1929, The Aston Martin International was another | | | | was produced by Astons' owner, David Brown. A |
| successful racer and was followed by the Le Mans | | | | Vantage engine was also available, offering even |
| and the Ulster. | | | | higher power outputs. |
| 1936, The company which was now owned by Sir | | | | 1963 - 1965, DB5. |
| Arthur Sutherland, decided to concentrate on road | | | | A total of 1021 cars were built. The bodywork is |
| cars. | | | | similar to the series five DB4 Saloons, although due |
| The advent of World War II halted work, and the | | | | to extra equipment the weight had risen dramatically. |
| company languished throughout the war's duration. | | | | The straight six, Tadek Mereck designed engine now |
| 1947, David Brown Ltd bought Aston Martin and | | | | displaced some 3995cc. All but the first DB5s had a |
| Lagonda which resulted in the initials DB being used | | | | new ZF five speed gearbox and other luxuries such |
| for the new models. | | | | as adjustable, Selectaride type Armstrong Dampers |
| 1948 - 1950, Aston Martin DB1. | | | | and electric windows. Standard engined cars had |
| Only 14 of these handsome convertibles were ever | | | | 282bhp, with Vantage engined cars having 314bhp, |
| produced. Retrospectively known as the DB1 | | | | enough extra power to compensate for the cars |
| This Two Litre Sports was powered by a 1970cc, | | | | heavier kerb weight. |
| pushrod four cylinder engine, producing 90bhp. The | | | | As well as being produced in saloon form the DB5 |
| car had independent front suspension and featured | | | | was also available as a convertible, in a similar style to |
| spare wheel compartments in the front wings. This | | | | the DB4 Convertible. A more unusual DB5 derivative |
| attractive sports car was replaced in 1950 by the | | | | was the conversion by coachbuilder Harold Radford, |
| more successful DB2 | | | | the DB5 Shooting Brake, only 12 cars were produced. |
| 1950 - 1953, DB2. | | | | 1965 - 1970, DB6. |
| The first series of cars to be sold with the famous | | | | The DB6 bodywork had a new tail design, offering |
| "DB" initials. The car was powered by the Twin-cam, | | | | improved aerodynamics and also had a revised rear 1 |
| W.O. Bentley designed Lagonda engine, developing | | | | 4 windows and a higher rear roof line. Options now |
| 116bhp in standard form and 125bhp in "Vantage" | | | | included power steering (on MK1 cars), air |
| guise. | | | | conditioning, automatic transmission, limited slip |
| A distinctive design offered in both two seater | | | | differential and a 325bhp Vantage engine option. |
| Coupe and Drophead Coupe form. Only 411 cars | | | | A convertible body style was also offered, as was |
| produced in total. | | | | the normal Aston tradition, although now called |
| The Aston Martin DB3 and later DB3S were racing | | | | "Volante", a name still used by the company today. |
| cars, although, they used some DB2 parts, they | | | | Early (1965-1966) DB6 Volantes had a "short chassis" |
| were quite different, being designed especially for | | | | body, only 37 were produced and are distinguished |
| racing. | | | | by a shorter tail. A handful of "Shooting Brakes" were |
| 1951 - 1953, DB3. | | | | also produced by British coachbuilder Harold Radford. |
| The DB3 was introduced with a 133 hp 2.6 L straight | | | | 1967 - 1972, DBS and the DBS V8 Vantage. |
| six engine, from the DB2 Vantage. A larger 2.9 L | | | | The DBS featured an all new body, designed by |
| engine, producing 163 hp (122 kW), was introduced in | | | | William Towns (who later designed the AM Lagonda |
| 1952. | | | | in 1976) which featured a distinctive four headlamp |
| 1953 - 1957, DB3S. | | | | grille and a much squarer, more transatlantic shape |
| The DB3S was a lighter version of the DB3, two | | | | than seen before on the other DB cars. |
| coupe versions were built.The DB3S was replaced in | | | | Originally designed to accept an all new V8 engine, |
| 1956 by the famed racing DBR1. | | | | unfortunately this was not ready in time for the cars |
| 1957 - 1959, DB Mark III. | | | | launch, so it had to make do with the tried and |
| This was an evolution of the DB2/4 model it | | | | tested DB6 engine. Due to the increased weight of |
| replaced, using the same 2.9 L (2922 cc) engine. | | | | the DBS body, performance dropped resulting in a |
| Changes included a grille like that on the DB3S, a new | | | | 140mph top speed and a 0-60 time of 8 seconds. |
| instrument panel, and available Girling disc brakes. A | | | | The DBS was eventually replaced by the DBS V8, |
| hydraulic clutch was new as well, and optional | | | | although confusingly a single headlamp car known |
| overdrive or automatic transmission were available. | | | | simply as a Vantage, was also produced alongside the |
| Engine output was 162 hp, though an optional | | | | AMV8 but featuring the straight six DBS engine. |