The Quintessential Bond Car

ASTON MARTIN was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. They joined forces the previous year to sell cars made by Singer. When the duo decided to make their own cars - it was called Aston Martin and was created by Martin, he fitted a four-cylinder engine to the chassis of the 1908 Isotta-Fraschini. 

They produced their first car in March 1915 after acquiring premises in Kensington at Henniker Mews. However, production could not start due to the First World War and also because Martin joined the Royal Army Service Corps. All the machinery was sold to the Sopwith Aviation Company. 

Bamford left in 1920 and the company received funding from Count Louis Zborowski. In 1922, they produced cars to compete in the French Grand Prix. They went on to set world speed and endurance records at Brooklands. Vehicles created around this time were the Green Pea, the Razor Blade and the Halford Special. 

Aston Martin went bankrupt in 1924, the factory closed in 1926 and Lionel Martin left. Later in 1926, Bill Renwick, Augustus Bertelli (Bert) and investors such as Lady Charnwood, took control of the business. Cars produced during this period, 1926-1937, were called Bertelli cars and included the T-Type, the International, Le Mans, MKII, the Ulster and the Speed Model. Most of these vehicles were open two-seater sports cars and a small number were long-chassis models. Known as 007s favourite ride – the relationship began with the 1964 film Goldfinger, which showcased the classic DB5. The pairing became so successful that it appeared in six more Bond films: Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall & Spectre.