Marque: Aston Martin - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Past: The first ‘new’ Aston Martin for yonks, it was actually based upon a Jaguar XJ-S platform due to Ford acquiring both companies in the late 1980s. Even the supercharged six is a revamped XJR unit but at least the DB name returned with David Brown rejoining the fray for the first ‘volume’ Aston. Launched in 1994, the sensational Vantage V12 took over in 1999 with run out models for ’02 badged GT and GTA together with a Zagato offshoot.

Present: Ignoring the Ford bits used, or thatit’ s really an XJ-S in drag, the DB7 is a real Aston that’s affordable and realistic to run. Early cars weren’t great in build quality but for ’96 this improved as did brakes and suspension. V12 best but earlier ‘six’ is quick and good for 20mpg.

Future: Values won’t fall much further than current levels and are a good bet for the future. Sub £20k buys can be liabilities and already parts for early cars are now obsolete.

Past: Introduced in 1953, and developed from the DB2, the ‘mainstream’ DB2/4 was a 2+2 sportshatch (World’s first?). The car featured a square section steel chassis. Initially 2.6 T/C, a 2.9-litre was employed from 1954. The autumn of 1955 saw the arrival of Mark II models, featuring revised bodywork by Tickford (taken over in 1953 by David Brown). A coupé with separate boot was offered, too. Mark IIIs were dropped in 1959 to make way for the DB4.

Present: An enjoyable and underrated Aston that although not fast is still satisfying. Mk IIs used Girling disc brakes to tame the 165bhp now offered with overdrive or automatic optional on the Mark IIIs. Modern mods are plentiful.

Future: Steadily starting to find favour and prices are on the up. Most coupes but there’s saloons and drop heads, both which command higher residuals. An expensive range to restore however so don’t be swayed by cheap buys.

Past: Final fling for the Superleggera DBs – and the best. Developed from the DB4 and introduced in ‘63, DB5 was immortalised a year later when it starred as James Bond’s sidekick in Goldfinger. Now with 4-litres, Vantage tune offered a sizzling 325bhp with all but early models also wearing a ZF five-speed gearbox and Selectaride adjustable damping. Curious cabrios were DB5-based but had look of later DB6.

Present: Now with added weight and luxuries (plus an auto trans option) the DB5 was becoming more a high class GT than rorty sports car but still hugely desirable. Selectaride set ups have probably been discarded by now.

Future: Prices now well into orbit and unlikely to come down (although DB6 is fast catching up), but given the cost of restoring one it’s still cheaper to buy the best in the first place. Even genuine original Dinky toy 007 models are changing hands for silly money! But for how much longer?

Past: Another – unsuccessful – stab at making an Aston saloon, the Lagonda first surfaced as a four-door DBS V8 in 1969, sitting on a stretched (115in wheelbase) platform. Continued strife at the factory mothballed the concept until 1974 when it was officially announced. Only seven were made before the angular, uglier Lagonda replacement took over.

Present: On the face of it, an excellent idea and the car drove like the DBS saloon it actually was. Most examples were aptly automatics to emphasise the car’s touring nature and reports at the time spoke highly of the concept. Most panels are specialist and so restorations (never cheap on an Aston anyway!) will prove even more expensive.

Future: With only a handful made, values are difficult to predict and dependent upon how much you want one! If new DB9- derived Rapide is successful then perhaps interest on such past Aston saloons may gain a deserved boost.

Past: Lagonda was taken over by the David Brown concern in 1947; the first model then to appear was the 2.5 Litre saloon, powered by the W.O. Bentley-designed, twin overhead cam six-pot Lagonda engine. Features included a cruciform chassis and independent suspension all round. The 2.5 Litre Lagondas were discontinued in late 1953, making way for 3 Litre, powered by a larger 2922cc unit.

Present: An acquired taste while its 3500lbs weight means they are no fireballs; 3 Litre can just stretch to 100mph. On the other hand these handsome machines are comfortable and as classy as a Rolls-Royce of the same period yet much rarer. However as so few were built spares and repairs will be tricky.

Future: Prices still lag comparable Astons by a fair amount and show little signs of catching up. This means value but remember restoration work is specialist and expensive.

Past: With Brown selling the troubled firm, the DB moniker was replaced by just V8 in 1972 (Series 2) with minor restyling, including a two headlamp treatment instead of the original four. S3s feature Weber carbs plus (from ’77) higher tune option and Oscar India special edition. S4s were tidied up plus Volante cabrio and 438bhp Vantage tune engine cars introduced in ’78. Last of line Series 5 detuned to 305bhp but with better drive-ability care of new EFI set up for 1980.

Present: Now seen as a bit of a quaint relic, the V8 finally came good over the years offering 170mph performance and sure-footed handling plus ever improving build. Ferrari eating Oscar India cars are as brutal as they look while the rare convertibles are super stylish.

Future: With DBS prices rising, later V8s are following suit, especially coveted Oscar Indias as only 50 were made.

Past: Replacing the V-8 Vantage and Volante the new, Virage coupé, with 1970s Lagonda saloon-derived underpinnings, arrived in 1990. Variants included the Volante convertible, an extremely rare five-door estate, the Vantage with uprated suspension and twin Eaton superchargers (550bhp!), a 350bhp coupé (from ‘96), plus a longer wheelbased Volante. Ultra special was the Vantage Le Mans, produced in 1999 in honour of the 40th anniversary of Aston’s win at the event; appropriately just 40 were produced. Zagato coupe was an ungainly if aerodynamically effective coupe. Very few were made.

Present: These often-overlooked models may not be the nicest looking of Astons but they drive better than earlier DBs, and are more suited for modern use.

Future: Are we looking at Aston Martin’s best-kept secret? Prices are on the floor so buy before they revert to form.