Aston Martin (from 1947)

Developed from the Claude Hill-designed ‘Atom’ prototype, won the 1948 Spa 24 Hours race at Spa. Rebuilt and shown at the London Motor Show for public sale at over £3000, there were no takers.

Photo: Wikipedia

David Brown’s first postwar sportscar, using the Claude Hill engine. Retrospectively known as the DB1 and generally seen as interim.

Debut of 3-part grille.

Start of production of pre-war prototype designed by W. O. Bentley, with the Lagonda engine used in all early David Brown Astons. DHC bodied by Tickford, which was bought in 1955 as main Aston factory.

Shortened DB1 chassis mated with a new body and the Lagonda engine. A Vantage performance upgrade was available.

Luxurious but too expensive for demand to be sustained.

Opening rear window and optional small rear seats (“/4” suggesting a 4-seater). Bodywork by Mulliner at Feltham.

Single-piece windscreen, larger bumpers, repositioned headlights.

Bodywork moved to Tickford, Newport Pagnell. Small performance and styling updates.

More angular rear wings, suggesting tailfins, bubble-type tail lights, added chrome, revised bonnet opening line

Road legal but designed for the track, the first five (including DB3/5 shown) were works cars. Originally intended to have a new V12. 2nd at Sebring in 1953.

Debut of the classic Aston Martin grille.

Several cars were converted to coupés.

Road legal but designed for the track, the first 11 were works cars.

Updated design, featuring DB3S-style grille. Substantial engine rework by Tadek Marek During the production run, disc brakes and a proper hatchback (except on the coupé and DHC) were added.

‘Droop snoot’

‘Drophead coupé’ convertible version.

The sensationally attractive lightweight superleggera (tube-frame) body was designed by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan, and built at the Newport Pagnell factory. New aluminium engine from Marek.

Window frames from S2. barred grille from S4. S5 cars longer and more roomy, with smaller wheels. S5 and Vantage had GT front end.

Fastest road legal car of its day. Shortened and lightened. Engine mods including twin spark plugs, treble Webers, higher compression.

Zagato shortened and visually transformed the car, further lightening it, using aluminium and perspex. Entered Le Mans in 1961. Continuation series have been released in 1988 (4), 1992 (2) and 2019 (up to 19).

DB4 GT derivation, entered in 1963 and 1964 Le Mans. Several replicas exist.

An updated luxury performance car, designed by Carrozzeria Touring with aluminum panels over a tubular steel frame. Used the 4-litre engine later seen in the DB5, rear suspension later seen in the DBS.

Photo: Wikipedia

Improved suspension, brakes, steering. A Vantage performance upgrade was available with treble Webers (rather than treble SU) and revised camshafts .

The Volante name was used for the last 37 cars (made after the launch of the DB6 saloon) and had DB6 bumpers and rear lights.

Aston Martin made a single version for David Brown (who was a hunter). Radford converted 11 or 12 more.

Photo: Sotheby’s

Longer chassis, so roomier and more stable car. More sophisticated superleggera construction incorporating tubes and plates as required. Better equipped.

Noticeably longer wheelbase gives different side profile; split bumpers; restyled rear with (controversial) Kammback tail.