Aston Martin Celebrates Centenary

While there is no real measure for the longevity of time, it is safe to say for us mere mortals that 100 years of survival is indeed a remarkable accomplishment. Even for a car company this has to be a great triumph as there are only a handful of car makers to have done so. On the 15th of January 2013, the day marked the official incorporation of Aston Martin 100 years ago. It was 15th January 1913 when Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded a new automotive venture. They called their company Bamford & Martin, which later became Aston Martin, acknowledging Robert Bamford’s success at the Aston Clinton Hill climb in Buckinghamshire, where he had successfully raced their very first cars.

In the century that followed Aston Martin has come to represent many things, from sporting prowess through to technical innovation, beautiful design, fine craftsmanship and superior performance – Aston Martin cars are today a symbol of luxury, power and sportiness. In the 1950s the David Brown era began, which saw the introduction of the legendary DB2/4, DB4, DB5, DB6 and DBS, before the V8 Vantage and Virage led Aston Martin to the DB7, the original Vanquish and on into the modern era. The Aston Martin cars we see today are a product of the legendary cars from the company’s past.

Boasting the strongest product line-up in its 99 years to date, Aston Martin has recently introduced its new ultimate GT – the exceptional Vanquish – and timeless new DB9. The new cars have been unveiled to global media acclaim and, in the case of the Vanquish, numerous prestigious awards. To celebrate their amazing achievement the luxury sports car maker will mark its first 100 years with a series of UK and international celebrations highlighting the unique success of the brand worldwide. The company has also launched a Centenary Edition Vanquish – just one of a set of specifically created specifications that will adorn that V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish – with 100 exclusive examples of each being created.

However, the centerpiece of the celebrations will be a week-long festival of all things Aston Martin, which is set to take place from 15 July to 21 July. However, the main highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in central London and it will feature the 100 most iconic cars in a concours display and up to 1,000 Aston Martin’s forming the largest gathering in the 100-year history of the great British marque. So if you are a true Aston fan, then London is where you should be heading to this summer.