Aston Martin V8 Vantage V 550 LHD 1995

Aston Martin, one of Britain's best known sports car manufacturer, was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford.

During its chequered financial history the company has had numerous owners taking over the company, Sir David Brown just to mention one.

Between the wars Bertelli was both technical director and designer of all new Aston Martins, thus known as "Bertelli cars". These included the 1½-litre "T-type", "International", "Le Mans", "MKII" its racing version, the "Ulster", and the 2-litre 15/98 and its race going derivative, the "Speed Model".

During the war years the company produced aircraft components.

In 1947, Aston was purchased and thus saved by Sir David Brown. The company also acquired Lagonda the same year for its 2.6-litre W. O. Bentley-designed engine. Both companies shared resources and workshops creating the iconic "DB" series of cars. In 1950, they presented the DB2, followed by the DB2/4 in 1953, the DB2/4 MkII in 1955, the DB Mark III in 1957.

DB4 with its strong Italian flavor and construction was introduced in 1958. The lightweight superleggera (tube-frame) body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan. Although the design and construction techniques were Italian, the DB4 was the first Aston to be built at the company's Newport Pagnell works in Buckinghamshire, England. The six-cylinder engines of these cars from 1954 up to 1965 were designed by Tadek Marek. Despite initial problems with cracking engine blocks DB4 was a success that really established the make together with its later derivates DB5, of James Bond Goldfinger fame, and more civilized DB6 Grand Tourer.

With the all new model DBS in the late 60's the company went to eight cylinder configuration when it was modified to Aston Martin v8 – a sort of Gentleman's muscle car.