Aston Martin (from 1913)

Aston Martin was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in Chelsea. They sold Singer cars, serviced cars, then made their own Aston-Martin cars initially for Martin’s hill climb racing. After WWI, Bamford left, but with new premises and funding, Bamford & Martin were able to make successful competition cars from 1922, and a short run of road cars before bankruptcy. Bill Renwick and ‘Bert’ Bertelli acquired the business, renamed it Aston Martin, and moved it to Feltham. There followed a famous succession of competition cars, more financial difficulties, and a focus on road cars in the late 1930s until war again intervened.

More information on Classic Driver and Wikipedia.

Aston-Martin 1.5-litre ‘Strasbourg’

New funding from Louis Zborowski allowed Aston Martin to enter the French GP in 1922, with Zborowski in one car; this was Clive Gallup’s.

Years

1922

Engine

c. 1481cc S4 SV

Body Style

Racer

Production

1

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Aston-Martin ‘Razor Blade’

One of the GP cars was developed into Razor Blade achieved victory in its first race, lapping Brooklands at over 98 mph; and soon set records in the standing start mile (74 mph) and kilometer (66 mph).

Years

1923

Engine

c. 1481cc S4 SV

Body Style

Racer

Production

1

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Aston-Martin Halford Special

Another GP car was developed into a special for the record-breaking driver of Razor Blade. Originally a pioneering turbo, superchargers proved more reliable in the end. It competed in the 1927 French GP.

Years

1923

Engine

c. 1481cc S4 SV

Body Style

Racer

Production

1

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Aston-Martin Sidevalve Tourer

Aston Martin made a small number of inter-war short- and long-chassis cars before bankruptcy, and the departure of Martin, in 1924-1925.

Years

1924

Engine

1481cc S4 SV

Body Style

4-seater tourer

Production

55 (all types)

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Photo: Wikipedia

Renwick & Bertelli Buzzbox

R&B took over Aston Martin in 1926, and brought with them the development car, including for their new overhead cam engine.

Years

1925 (1921-26)

Engine

1481cc S4 SV

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

1

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Photo: Bonhams

Aston Martin International

Bertelli-designed “First Series”, replacing the Standard Sports. Also available as T-Type sports and saloons from 1927; also a few coupes, and a ‘Le Mans’ version of the International.

Years

1929-32

Engine

1495cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

81 +48 other First Series models

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Photo: Broad Arrow

Aston Martin Le Mans

The bulk of Second Series production from late 1932 was taken up by the short chassis ‘Le Mans’. Neatly exploited niche for medium sportscars.

Years

1932-34

Engine

1495cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

72 +20 12/50 Saloons

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Info

Aston Martin LM10 Works Car

New lowered design, with pointed tails and a new ‘V’ shaped radiator. LM10 was the most successful of the 3 cars built, winning its class at Le Mans in 1932 and finishing in 1933 and 1934.

Years

1932

Engine

1495cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

3

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Photo: Car-Iconics

Aston Martin MkII

Mark II with respect to the Le Mans, but actually Third Series, with considerably stiffer and stronger chassis.

Years

1934-36

Engine

1495cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

56 +61 Long: Sports, Saloon, Coupe

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Info

Aston Martin Ulster

The name ’Ulster’ was first used to describe the two seater racing version of the ‘Mark II’ after the 1934 TT race held at Ards in Northern Ireland.

Years

1934-36

Engine

1495cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

24

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Info

Aston Martin 15/98

A more civilised Aston Martin – softer, quieter and more flexible. Marketed as a tourer, rather than sportscar

Years

1937-39

Engine

1949cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Tourer

Production

75 +50 Long: Tourer, Saloon

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Info

Aston Martin Speed Model

Intended as a street version of a racing car, and originally developed for the 1936 Le Mans (the cancellation of which ended the works team).

Years

1936-38

Engine

1949cc S4 OHC

Body Style

Sportscar

Production

13 +5 ‘C-Type’

Power: Weight

.

Dimensions

.

Info