Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford at Aston Hill, Oxfordshire, Aston Martin has established an enviable reputation for producing high-quality sports cars. The pre-war years were unstable for Aston Martin as it was run as a "rich mans hobby" by a number of owners. In 1947 Yorkshire industrialist (Sir) David Brown purchased the company and introduced a range of models that would become legendary.

Despite the efforts of David Brown (and James Bond!) the company found itself in financial trouble during the mid-1970's. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes the company began to gather strength throughout the late 70's/early 80's and attracted the attention of the Ford Motor Company in 1987.

Now as the flagship in the Ford family the company continues to go from strength to strength as it produces the DB7 and V8 models in ever increasing quantities.