|
Aston Martin 100 Years Old - and off to the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to Celebrate.
Author & Photographer: Ken Morrison.
|
|
The announcement has just been issued that Aston Martin is one of the marques for the August 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This is an important and well-deserved accolade for the marque, which was founded in 1913 - bringing it up on the century mark this year. The elegant and timeless design of the Aston Martin, combined with its rich racing provenance, make it an ideal choice for the Pebble Beach Concours, which is regarded as one of the most outstanding annual classic car events in the world. The Pebble Beach Concours gives attendees a coveted opportunity to see rare classic automobiles within a beautiful setting. Aston Martin fits in perfectly.
|
|
One hundred years of production is a rare achievement for any car manufacturer and Aston Martin has always evoked the feeling of a classic-in-the-making, even with the first car, ignominiously referred to as the "coal scuttle". The company has had its ups and downs over the years, falling on hard economic times, and changing hands on multiple occasions. But the intrinsic elegance of the car has kept it visible and collectible.
|
|
|
The Aston Martin DB4 was produced from 1958 through 1963 and was completely different than the DB Mark III it replaced. Among the five "series" and some spin-off models of the DB4 was the Zagato-bodied DB4 GT. These were hand-built lightweights crafted to outperform the Ferraris of the day, sporting a 314 bhp engine and a top speed of 160 mph. They helped develop a solid racing pedigree for Aston Martin. The DB4, in turn, gave rise to the sleek DB5 (1965), which has appeared in no less than seven James Bond films, including "Goldfinger", "Thunderball","GoldenEye", "Tomorrow Never Dies", "Casino Royale", "Skyfall", and "The World Is Not Enough", the ultimate in product placement.
|
|
The DB6 (1965) and DBS (1967) that followed added some new design features but retained the grand touring style that made the Aston Martin so popular.
|
|
If past history gives some prediction, the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours will no doubt include at least a dozen or so magnificent examples of the Aston Martin, include some rare pre-war selections from 1914-1940. In 1926 A.C. Bertelli, known as the "Father of Aston Martin", came on as a member of the Board of Directors. Under his leadership such pre-war gems as the Aston Martin "International" and "Le Mans" went into production.
|
|
The new Aston Martin has much in common with the old - the elegance, the power, and the kudos. Moreover, it continues to make headlines. The Aston Martin "Vanquish", a carbon fibre body with a 565 horsepower engine, debuted at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours and attracted big attention as the latest generation of one of the greatest names in automotive history. For James Bonds of today, the Aston Martin still remains an impeccable choice.
|
|
This DB4 (above), in the Blackhawk Museum, Blackhawk, California, USA, was a factory works experimental and demonstration car, with a lightweight chassis and engine to Zagato specifications. In an Autosport road test on December 8th 1961, the car was clocked at an amazing 152.5 mph.
|
|
|
Return to the extra motoring articles main page.
|
