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Lionel Martin (1878–1945) -

The history behind Aston Martin is worth recalling. In January 1913, Lionel Martin (pictured) and Robert Bamford formed Bamford and Martin in London as a car dealership.

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Aston Martin is born -

Soon afterwards, the pair decided to make their own vehicles. In March 1915, the first Aston Martin was built. It was named after Martin and the fact that he raced cars at Aston Hill, a speed hill climb on public roads near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire, England. Pictured is a 1921 Aston Martin SV at Aston Clinton hill climb.

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Count Louis Zborowski (1895–1924) -

In 1920, Bamford left the company. Racing driver and automobile engineer Count Louis Zborowski came on board and began investing in the fledgling car manufacturing business. In 1922, two Aston Martin racing cars were fielded at the French Grand Prix. Zborowski is pictured driving a 1922 Aston Martin 1.5 liter 'Strasbourg' at Shelsey Walsh in Worcestershire, England. The car was originally built for that year's French Grand Prix.

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Augustus Cesare Bertelli (1890–1979) -

Despite a promising start, Bamford and Martin went bust in 1925. Lionel Martin sold the business. It was subsequently rescued by a group of investors, one of whom was Anglo-Italian car designer and racing driver Augustus Cesare Bertelli (pictured). The company was ultimately renamed Aston Martin Motors. The thrills and spills of Le Mans beckoned.

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Aston Martin at Le Mans -

Substantial financing permitted the construction of a new range of Aston Martin vehicles. Bertelli proved their worth by winning the Biennial Cup at the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1932 with co-driver Pat Driscoll. However, cash problems reappeared, and by the end of the year Sir Arthur Sutherland was the new owner of Aston Martin. He focused his efforts on a new road car range. Prototypes were designed, but the onset of the Second World War halted production.

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David Brown (1904–1993) -

In 1947, English entrepreneur David Brown (pictured in 1966 with an Aston Martin DB6) bought Aston Martin. He also acquired British luxury car brand Lagonda.

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Birth of the DB1 -

The Aston Martin 2-liter Sports appeared in 1948. It was the first vehicle produced under David Brown's stewardship. Based on the Aston Martin Atom prototype, the car is retrospectively known as the DB1. Pictured is the model that won the 24 hours at Spa in 1948.

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DB2 -

The successor to the Aston Martin 2-liter Sports was the DB2. The DB2 and its various incarnations enjoyed some additional success at Le Mans throughout the 1950s.

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DB4 -

But it was the DB4 that truly stood out, especially the Italian-styled DB4 GT Zagato (pictured). Introduced in 1958 at the London Motor Show, the DB4 was a sensation. Furthermore, it yielded the famous DB5 in 1963.

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The name's Aston, Aston Martin -

The release of the third James Bond movie, 'Goldfinger,' in 1964 saw the introduction of a new car for 007— the Aston Martin DB5. It signaled the start of a relationship that has spanned numerous Bond films and nearly 60 years of cinema.

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An honor to meet you -

A year before she found big-screen fame as a certain Miss Galore in 'Goldfinger,' actress Honor Blackman was appearing in the British TV series 'The Avengers.' She's pictured here coincidentally with Aston Martin chairman David Brown with the new Aston Martin DB5 at the London Motor Show.

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Sales hit the roof -

Bond's silver-birch colored DB5 saw sales of the model increase dramatically, and the profile of Aston Martin grow. The gadget laden vehicle made a second appearance in 'Thunderball' (1965).

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DBS -

A new Bond, a new Aston Martin. In 1969, actor George Lazenby stepped into Sean Connery's shoes as 007 in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service.' The car of choice on this occasion was the Aston Martin DBS.

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'The Persuaders!' -

None of the movies starring Roger Moore as James Bond featured an Aston Martin. However, the actor was no stranger to the luxury car brand. Before he was offered the role of 007, Roger Moore was starring on television in 'The Persuaders!' with Tony Curtis. His character in the show, Lord Brett Sinclair, drove a Bahama yellow 6-cylinder Aston Martin DBS, with the personalized number plate "BS 1.! Through the use of alloy wheels and different badges, the car had been made to look like the latest and more powerful DBSV8 model (all units had been snapped up by private customers before the producers could get their hands on one).

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Vantage -

Nearly 20 years elapsed before James Bond was again seen behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. In 'The Living Daylights' (1987), Timothy Dalton's 007 drives an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The vehicle was even featured on the movie poster (pictured). Bond and his famous wheels were back!

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Two for the price of one -

A treat lay in store for Bond fans and admirers of Aston Martin with 'GoldenEye' (1995). In his first outing as 007, Pierce Brosnan became the first Bond to drive two different Aston Martins in the same film. He is pictured with the iconic DB5.

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Vanquish -

And here he is again leaning against the other car in the film, a sleek and powerful Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.

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Cameo appearance -

Daniel Craig's 2006 debut as Bond in 'Casino Royale' also saw him drive two different Aston Martins. The venerable DB5 made a memorable cameo appearance early on in the film.

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DBS -

Later, Bond drives a DBS, often with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) in the passenger seat. A customized development DBS was used to astonishing effect in 'Casino Royale' during a car chase stunt that saw the vehicle rotate a record seven times while being filmed.

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Return of the DBS -

The Aston Martin DBS returned for 'Quantum of Solace' (2008). The vehicle is seen on show at the film's premiere in London.

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Bond in gear -

The evergreen DB5 made its sixth appearance in a poignant scene in 'Skyfall' (2012).

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DB10 -

Never shaken or stirred, Daniel Craig's Bond ended up behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB10 for  'Spectre' (2015).

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'No Time To Die' -

In the eagerly awaited 'No Time to Die' (2021), no less than four iconic Aston Martins from the past, present, and future make appearance in the 25th James Bond film. Besides the DB5—the car which started it all— and the V8 saloon, 'No Time to Die' features the DBS Superleggera (pictured), which is driven by new 00 agent Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch.

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Valhalla -

But it's the Aston Martin Valhalla sports car that is the real four-wheel star of 'No Time to Die.' The revolutionary supercar makes a cameo appearance in the film.

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Royalty and Aston Martin -

Pictured: Prince Charles at the wheel of a blue 1969 Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII, given to him by his mother the Queen on his 21st birthday. The prince is seen at the wheel with an accompanying royal protection officer at Windsor Park in 1971. This vehicle would feature prominently in the life of the heir apparent to the British throne.

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Prince at the wheel -

Here's Prince Charles driving the same Aston Martin, pictured in July 1984 with his then-wife, Diana, Princess of Wales.

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Bespoke appeal -

Pictured in 1987 standing by his father's Aston Martin is a young Prince William.

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Prince William in the driver's seat -

Twenty-four years later, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leave Buckingham Palace and drive down The Mall after their wedding in the Prince of Wales' cherished 1971 birthday present.

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Vintage couple -

Pictured: Charles driving with his second wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in the vintage Volante.

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Harry on track -

Prince Harry enjoys an occasional spin in an Aston Martin. He's pictured here driving a sky blue DB5 during a track day for The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in 2014 at Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, England.

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Bonding -

Two celebrities closely associated with Aston Martin, Prince Charles and Daniel Craig, during a visit by the prince to the James Bond set at Pinewood Studios on June 20, 2019 in Iver Heath, England.  

Sources: (myAutoWorld.com) (Aston Martin Heritage) (Bond Lifestyle) (Aston Martin)

See also: Pinewood Studios: Britain's very own Hollywood

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