Press Release
The
luxury brand is marking the official anniversary of its founding
100 years ago today with a ceremony in Chelsea’s Henniker
Mews - the original home of the company that went on to
become Aston Martin, founded on 15 January 1913.
Joining with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust to unveil a commemorative
plaque at Henniker Mews, the sports car maker is lining up a
special centenary edition of its new ultimate GT - the
Vanquish - alongside the oldest Aston Martin in existence,
A3.
Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "I am proud to be
celebrating 100 years of heritage and the best of British craftsmanship.
"Aston Martin is known around the world for
our leading design combined with advanced technology. Ours is
the coolest luxury
car brand on the planet and I am looking forward to our second
century of building the world’s most desirable sports
cars." Speaking at the unveiling, Roger Carey, Chairman of
the Aston Martin Heritage Trust said: "It’s fitting,
I think, that we have both the newest and oldest Aston Martins
in existence
here at Henniker Mews, where this remarkable story began 100
years ago. "This is where the workshops were first located
and the Aston Martin Heritage Trust felt it was important to
record
the centenary
by creating and displaying a plaque commemorating the start
of such an iconic car business."
Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards said: "It’s
great to be back at the place where it all started. The Aston
Martin story reaches a significant milestone in 2013 with our
unique heritage and fiercely independent tradition inspiring
exciting chapters yet to come.
"We look forward to sharing this milestone with our team, our
partners, our customers and Aston Martin enthusiasts around the
world."
Today’s event in London marks the start of a year-long
celebration of all things Aston Martin, with events taking place
worldwide over the next 12 months.
In the UK, a week-long Aston Martin festival will take place
from 15 July to 21 July. Designed to appeal to owners and enthusiasts
of the brand, the Centenary Week will include ‘open house’ activities
at Aston Martin’s exclusive Gaydon headquarters, including
factory-based events and driving tours and will culminate in
a 1,000-guest ‘birthday party’ on Saturday 20 July
and a spectacular Centenary gathering in central London on Sunday
21 July.
This highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in
partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and the Aston
Martin Owners Club will feature 100 of the brand’s most
iconic cars in a multi-million pound timeline display. The event
will also see one of the largest gatherings of Aston Martins
in the 100-year history of the great British marque.
In addition, appearances at iconic events throughout 2013 including
Nürburgring 24-Hours, Silverstone Classic, Villa D’Este,
Le Mans 24-Hours and Pebble Beach will ensure that the celebration
is truly global.
Dr Bez explained: "Aston Martin remains one
of the most exclusive and sought-after brands in the world, so
it’s
right that our centenary celebrations take place around the globe
this year."It’s appropriate that we mark the first
100 years of the company in this way and, with exceptional new
cars like our ultimate
GT - the Vanquish - timeless new DB9 and super-exclusive
V12 Zagato, we clearly have a vibrant and exciting future ahead."
Today’s London event recalls the day 100 years ago when
founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford saw their new automotive
venture incorporated as ‘Bamford and Martin Ltd’.
Production of the very first Aston Martin car, known as 'Coal
Scuttle' commenced soon after. The ‘Aston’ element
was inspired by Lionel Martin’s passion for hill climb
competitions, in particular the Aston Clinton hill climb in Buckinghamshire.
