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

Aston Martin

Nine decades ago Lionel Martin produced a car which he campaigned in the famous Aston Clinton hill climb. The names Aston and Martin were combined to provide a name for the marque which ever since has been associated with automotive excellence. And James Bond. Martin was a keen participant in motorsport, and started with a 10hp Singer as the basis for his tuning experiments. At that time, Martin…

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Aston Martin DB2/4

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: £20,000 - £90,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
Mark I 2.6-litre 1953-54; Late Mark I 2.9-litre 1954-55; Mark II 2.9-litre 1955-57; Mark III 2.9-litre 1957-59
Bodywork:
Three door hatchback two-door coupé Two-door drophead
Engine:
Twin DOHC six-cylinder 2.6-litre 2580cc 125bhp; 2.9-litre 2922cc 140bhp - 214bhp
0-60 mph:
2.6-litre Mark I 12.5+ sec; 2.9-litre 8-10 sec
Top Speed:
2.6-litre 115 mph; 2.9-litre 120-125mph
MPG:
18-25 mpg

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.

Aston Martin Lagonda

PRICE: £8000-£40,000

Fast Facts

Produced:
1975-89
Engine:
5.3
0-60 mph:
8.8sec
Top Speed:
148mph
Power:
280/300 bhp

Despite bearing edges so sharp you could lacerate your palms, the Lagonda appealed to buyers who were a long way from being straight down the line. That holds true today, despite values dropping to tempt the unwary at below £10,000. The Aston Martin badge, when spotted, will seal your wealth status in the eyes of the unknowing, but there’s also plenty to rob you in this most complex of luxury limos. Launched in 1975, the V8- powered Lagonda stripped away Aston’s reputation for not scaring the horses. And if the styling was radical, the dashboard was looking past Dan Dare into the future. Three different dashes were tried before the car was axed in 1989, boasting technology such as solid-state digital, cathode-ray tubes and finally vacuum fluorescent instrumentation. The second incarnation would speak to you in Arabic, if you so desired, giving a clue to the destination of many of these five-metre long behemoths. The 5.3-litre V8 stayed pretty much the same throughout its life, but the shovel nosed design was re-dressed in 1987 for the last, Series Four car. Today, owners aren’t all sticking their heads in a bucket of sump oil in despair. Regular servicing is the key, according to those who’ve successfully run one. Although it’s probably best to have a trust fund too.

Aston Martin DB7

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: £16,000 - £40,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1994-99
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé Two-door convertible
Engine:
Supercharged twin overhead camshaft six-cylinder 3239cc 335bhp (Vantage V12 5935cc 420bhp)
0-60 mph:
Six-cylinder 5+ sec V12 5 sec
Top Speed:
Six-cylinder 165 mph V12 185 mph
MPG:
12-25 mpg

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.

Aston Martin DB1, DB2, DB3, DB3S

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: £25,000 - £80,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
‘DB1’: 1948-50; DB2 1950-53 DB3 ‘52, DB3S ‘53
Bodywork:
Two-door fastback coupé Two-door drop head coupé (DB3 and DB3S) Open sports
Engine:
DB1: Overhead-valve (pushrod) in-line four-cylinder 1970cc 90bhp
DB2: Twin overhead-camshaft in-line six-cylinder 2580cc 107bhp (Vantage 123 bhp)
0-60 mph:
‘DB1’ 14 sec DB2 12.5 sec
Top Speed:
‘DB1’ 90+ mph; DB2 105+ mph
MPG:
18-25 mpg

Past: The first post-War Aston Martin was under development when, in 1947, David Brown acquired a controlling interest in the company. The 2-Litre Sports, retrospectively dubbed ‘DB1’ (‘David Brown 1’) was put into production in 1948. The DB2 was a fastback coupé, which (like the DB1) incorporated spaceframe construction. Excellent results at the Le Mans 24 Hours led to the DB3 (1951/52) and the DB3S (1953).

Present: Still a good usable classic, the DB2 was the first to use the famous Twin Cam Lagonda unit that served future Astons. DB1 was a 2-litre sports and only 14 were built but both are worlds away from more fashionable DBs.

Future: Escaping the hero status of later DBs, these cars are for ‘pre-Bond’ Aston purists and still pretty good value although restoration is costly and difficult plus is unlikely to make a decent return on any outlay.

Aston Martin DB4

RATING:

9 / 10

PRICE: £60,000 - £140,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1958-63
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé Two-door drophead coupé
Engine:
Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder 3670cc 240bhp (GT 302bhp Zagato GT 314bhp)
0-60 mph:
8.5 sec (GT 6.5 sec Zagato GT 6+ sec)
Top Speed:
140+ mph (GT 150+ mph Zagato GT 150+ mph)
MPG:
14-18 mpg

Past: Start of the legendary DB line mixing seductive styling with supercar pace. Body, by Touring of Milan, is built on the ‘Superleggera’ principle, with a steel frame to which the aluminium body panels were fitted; the body itself mounted on a platform chassis. Superb 3.7-litre, twin cam (designed by Tadek Marek) gave 240bhp with 266bhp in Vantage tune for 1962. Ultra-desirable DB4 variants include the short wheelbase GT, the rarer Zagato-bodied GT plus also the wonderfully stylish convertible models.

Present: Although not quite as iconic as the later DB5, the DB4 boasts a purer style while still feels GTi quick on the road even if handling is now rather antiquated.

Future: Need you enquire? A barn find ratty one recently went for over £80K but that said, earlier car lags the DB5 in desirability and value. Some reckon the bubble will burst again but prices and desirability are holding rock steady.

Aston Martin DB5

RATING:

9 / 10

PRICE: £60,000 - £240,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1963-65
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé Two-door drophead coupé
Engine:
Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder 3995cc 282bhp (Vantage 325bhp)
0-60 mph:
8+ sec (Vantage 6+ sec)
Top Speed:
143 mph (Vantage 148 mph)
MPG:
12-18 mpg

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?

Aston Martin DB6

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: £40,000 - £200,000+

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Fast Facts

Produced:
1965-70
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé Two-door drophead coupé
Engine:
Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder 3995cc 282bhp (Vantage 325 bhp)
0-60 mph:
8+ sec (Vantage 6+ sec)
Top Speed:
143 mph (Vantage 148 mph)
MPG:
12-18 mpg

Past: A roomier, more aerodynamic DB5 on the face of it but really it’s almost totally revised underneath where a simpler steel chassis resides. Power unchanged but weight goes up 18lb; it’s a little slower than a DB5 but there’s now a power steering option and Kamm tail aids stability. Mk2 version of ’69 runs alongside DBS with flared wheel arches and standard PAS. Volante convertibles remain until 1971.

Present: Arguably not as purist as earlier models, the DB6 scores with better civility and refinement making it currently the DB to go for many reckon. Automatics aren’t nearly as sporting and can feel almost slow but are fine for touring – so long as the DB’s fearful thirst isn’t a problem.

Future: The past year has seen DB6 values escalate to touch DB4 values and even original basket cases at auction have fetched 40 grand. Really good ones can go for double this plus six figure prices are now uncommon for top cars.

Aston Martin DBS & DBS V8

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: £7000 - £30,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1967-73
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé
Engine:
DBS Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder 3995cc 325bhp; DBS V8 Quad overhead camshaft V8 5340cc (approx 340bhp) output not quoted
0-60 mph:
DBS 8.5 sec; DBS V8 6 sec
Top Speed:
DBS 143 mph; DBS V8 160+ mph
MPG:
12-18

Past: Introduced in 1967, DBS formed the backbone of all Astons until the DB7 came along.Wider and heavier than the DB6, the good looking DBS used a modified platform featuring de Dion rear suspension and a limited slip diff. Initially powered by the DB6 motor but two years later the 5340cc V8 quad cam (for which the car was designed for in the first place) came on line with (fickle) Bosch fuel injection. Less popular DBS6 produced until 1973 (known simply as the Vantage from 1972).

Present: Lardier than the DB6, DBS6 is no sports car but a good handler. Six pot cars remain unloved (especially autos) but are great value; V8s are lovely but early Bosch fuel injection was always a constant source of strife.

Future: Soaring prices of earlier DBs are dragging up DBS residuals and cheap examples are virtually a thing of the past. Resto is DB dear so buy the best from the outset.

Aston Martin Lagonda

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: Difficult To Predict

Fast Facts

Produced:
1974-76
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon
Engine:
Quad overhead camshaft V8 5340cc output not quoted (later examples approx 305bhp Vantage approx 375bhp)
0-60 mph:
7 sec (Vantage 5.5 sec)
Top Speed:
140+ mph
MPG:
12-18 mpg

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.

Aston Martin Lagonda 1976-90

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: £5000 - £40,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1978-90
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon
Engine:
Overhead camshaft V8 5340cc 325bhp
0-60 mph:
9 sec
Top Speed:
140 mph
MPG:
12-20 mpg

Past: A brave and bold new product by the restructured Aston Martin Lagonda (1975) Ltd firm. Once again the long wheelbase DBS/Lagonda chassis provided the basis with V8 power. Introduced in 1976 but didn’t car surface until 1978, the sharp styled Lagonda was ahead of its time although digital dashboard was fickle and short lived. Restyled for 1987 and dumped by the decade’s end, amazingly over 600 were produced together with turbo and Volvo-like estate concepts.

Present: At 17 foot long it’s even more cumbersome than a DBS although drives very well for its mass. High tech appointments and Rolls luxury came as standard while they still sell for amazingly cheap prices.

Future: You can buy one for Ford Mondeo money and this state of affairs will probably remain so for years to come although top cars are making serious money. Repairs always expensive plus many have been run on the cheap – beware!

Aston Martin Lagonda 2.5 Litre/3.0 Litre

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: £5000 - £20,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
2.5 Litre 1948-53; 3 Litre 1953-58
Bodywork:
2.5 Litre Four-door saloon Two-door drophead coupé; 3 Litre Two and four-door saloons; Two-door drophead coupé
Engine:
Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder; 2.5 Litre 2580cc 105bhp; 3 Litre 2922cc 140bhp
0-60 mph:
2.5 Litre 18+ sec; 3 Litre 15+ sec
Top Speed:
2.5 Litre 90+ mph; 3 Litre 100+ mph
MPG:
16-25 mpg

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.

Aston Martin Rapide

RATING:

7 / 10

PRICE: £10,000 - £45,000

Fast Facts

Produced:
1961-65
Bodywork:
Four-door saloon Five-door estate
Engine:
Twin overhead camshaft in-line six-cylinder 3995cc 236bhp
0-60 mph:
10+ sec
Top Speed:
125 mph
MPG:
15-20+ mpg

Past: Introduced in 1961 this car was developed around the stretched platform of an Aston Martin DB4, but powered by the DB5 engine and used the suspension set for the DBS! The bodywork by Touring of Milan was made on Superleggera principles. The running gear specification is equally impressive with rack and pinion steering, twin circuit, servo-assisted disc brakes, and a De Dion rear suspension, which found its way on the later DBs. Most were fitted with automatic transmission; just 55 built.

Present: On paper Rapide has it all and yet goes almost unnoticed even though it’s virtually a DB4 with saloon space and practicality. Solex carbed models feel sluggish.

Future: Like all Lagondas, the Rapide remains excellent value for money but it’s as dear to run and restore as any Aston and parts are certainly more specialist. But it’s the ‘DB’ we’d put money on to soar in value over the next five years.

Aston Martin V-8

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: £9000 - £100,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1972-89
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé; Two-door convertible
Engine:
Quad overhead camshaft V8 5340cc output not quoted (later examples approx 305bhp Vantage approx 375bhp – later 400bhp)
0-60 mph:
7 sec (Vantage 5.5 sec Vantage Zagato 4.5+ sec)
Top Speed:
145+ mph (Vantage; 170 mph Vantage Zagato 185+ mph)
MPG:
12-18 mpg

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.

Aston Martin Vanquish

RATING:

8 / 10

PRICE: £34,000 - £96,000

Fast Facts

Produced:
From 2001
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé
Engine:
V12 5935cc 460bhp
0-60 mph:
5 sec
Top Speed:
190 mph
MPG:
12-25 mpg

Past: Production of the new Vanquish started early in 2001. Available in two-seater or 2+2 forms,it was the first totally new Aston featuring a composite chassis and not to be confused as simply an up-gunned DB7. It also laid the foundation for the DB9. In 2005 an S version was launched; model dropped in ‘07, replaced by DBS.

Present: The highly capable Vanquish is set to be sanctified by future generations like all previous Astons. With purposeful looks (aided by huge 19in wheels/tyres), and powered by a Ford-developed 460bhp 5.9 V12 (which effectively finished Tadek Marek’s masterpiece), driving through a questionable six-speed semi auto, the Vanquish is right up there with any modern supercar.

Future: If you never thought the DB7 a proper Aston but still demand something modern then the Vanquish has all bases covered; prices are similar to the DB9.

Aston Martin Virage & Zagato

RATING:

6 / 10

PRICE: £13,000 - £40,000+

Fast Facts

Produced:
1990-99
Bodywork:
Two-door fixedhead coupé Two-door convertible; Five-door estate
Engine:
Quad overhead camshaft 32 valve V8 5340cc 330bhp (Vantage 550bhp)
0-60 mph:
330bhp versions 6 sec; Vantage 4.5 sec
Top Speed:
330bhp versions 155 mph; Vantage 185+ mph
MPG:
12-20+ mpg

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.

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