Timeline

1913 - Bamford and Martin Limited founded in London 

1914 - Aston Martin name is born following success at Aston Hill Climb

1915 - First Aston Martin is registered

1921 - First works Aston Martin competition car makes its appearance

1922 - Aston Martin makes first appearance overseas at French Grand Prix

1926 - Aston Martin Motors Limited is formed and sets up in Feltham

1928 - First entry at the Le Mans 24-hour race

1937 - 140 cars built - the highest pre-war production figure

1939 - An avant-garde prototype is developed using an early form of space frame chassis and independent suspension, known as the Atom

1947 - David Brown buys Aston Martin Motors Limited and Lagonda

1948 - The Spa Special wins the Spa 24 hour race. Aston Martin 2 litre goes into production

1949 - Two DB2 prototypes enter Le Mans and one is placed in its class

1951 - DB2 comes 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 3 litre class at Le Mans

1953 - DB2/4 goes into production - the first 2 + 2 seater

1954 - David Brown buys Tickford and moves production to Newport Pagnell

1955 - DB2/4 Mark II goes into production

1956 - During this and the following three years, four DBR1 race cars are built for competition

1957 - DB Mk III goes into production

1958 - DB4 goes into production

1959 - Aston Martin wins World Sportscar Championship in the DBR1 following wins at the 1000 kms at the Nurburgring, Le Mans and the RAC Tourist Trophy

1963 - Roy Salvadori wins at Monza in a DB4GT

1963 - DB5 goes into production

1964 - DB5 appears with James Bond in Goldfinger

1965 - DB6 goes into production

1969 - DBSV8 goes into production

1977 - V8 Vantage goes into production

1980 - Lagonda goes into production

1981 - Victor Gauntlett and Pace Petroleum acquire Aston Martin

1983 - Victor Gauntlett is backed financially by the Livanos shipping family

1987 - Ford Motor Company acquires 75% shareholding in Aston Martin

1989 - Works supported AMR1 comes 6th in the World Championship

1990 - Virage goes into production

1993 - V8 Vanage goes into production

1994 - Ford Motor Company acquires 100% holding in Aston Martin

1994 - DB7 goes into production

1996 - DB7 Volante goes into production

1999 - The V8 Vantage Le Mans goes into production

1999 - DB7 Vantage goes into production

2001 - V12 Vanquish goes into production

2002 - After almost 15 years, Aston Martin renews its relationship with legendary Italian coachbuilders Zagato to produce the limited edtion DB7 Zagato

2003 - The 7,000th DB7 is built

2003 - Gaydon manufacturing facility is opened. It is the first purpose built factory in Aston Martin's history

2004 - The DB9 goes into production at Gaydon

2004 - V12 Vanquish S goes into production

2004 - DB9 Volante goes into production

2005 - Aston Martin returns to racing

2005 - V8 Vantage goes into production