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Aston Martin is 100 - release Centenary Edition Vanquish

Topics: Aston Martin Vanquish

Aston Martin is 100 - release Centenary Edition Vanquish

Matt Hubbard
Speedmonkey
January 15, 2013

To celebrate their centenary, on 15 January, Aston Martin have announced a special Centenary Edition range of cars and a number of facts about the company.

Aston Martin have today announced the Centenary Edition Vanquish. 100 versions of this special edition Vanquish will be made available, which is painted in a unique graduated silver and features solid sterling silver Aston Martin wing logos.

The Centenary Edition gets deep soft black leather upholstery with contrasting silver stitching and a presentation box which includes two glass keys, solid silver cufflinks, a solid silver pen and Bang & Olufsen headphones.

Isn't it just the most beautiful man-made creation you've ever witnessed. Only Aston Martin (OK, and Ian Callum) has the extraordinary ability to create a metal machine that sings to the soul.

The Centenary Edition will also be available on all other Aston Martin models, but will be limited to a run of 100 for each model.

Under the images are further facts and stats about Aston Martin.

Ten facts you didn't know about Aston Martin

There have been 10 different versions of the iconic Aston Martin badge. The current version was introduced in 2003
The Aston Martin wings badge has its origins in ancient Egypt – derived from the open wings of the scarab beetle
In 100 years Aston Martin has produced just over 60,000 sports cars
It is accurately estimated that more than 90% of all Aston Martins built are still in existence
Aston Martin has manufactured cars from seven locations in the past 100 years
Aston Martin’s global HQ at Gaydon, the company’s first purpose-built home, celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2013
The Aston Martin Owners Club was founded in 1935 at The Grafton Hotel, London
The now sold-out One-77 hypercar is Aston Martin’s most exclusive, powerful and expensive production model to date
It took 2,700 man hours to produce each One-77
The painting process for the current Aston Martin range takes between 50 and 70 hours per car

Aston Martin company timeline

1913   On 15 January 1913 Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin form Bamford and Martin Ltd, based in Henniker Mews, off the Fulham Road in London
1915   The first Aston Martin is registered on 16 March. It is christened ‘Coal Scuttle’ and powered by a 1389cc Coventry Climax engine
1920   The second prototype Aston Martin is developed at new premises at Abingdon Road, Kensington. It’s fitted with a 1487cc engine and front wheel brakes. It is the true forerunner to the first production cars

Count Louis Zborowski begins to invest in the company and Robert Bamford steps away
1922   An Aston Martin prototype nicknamed ‘Bunny’ breaks ten world records in 16 1/2 hours at Brooklands. It averages 76mph

Aston Martin fields two cars at the French Grand Prix on 16 July
1925   The company goes into receivership but is rescued by Lord Charnwood, John Benson, Augustus Cesare Bertelli and William Renwick. It is renamed Aston Martin Motors and relocates to Feltham, Middlesex
1932   Bertelli proves the speed and endurance of Aston Martin’s new range by winning the Biennial Cup at the Le Mans 24 hour race with Pat Driscol
Sir Arthur Sutherland becomes the new owner of Aston Martin and focuses his efforts on a new road car range
1935   The Aston Martin Owners’ Club is founded at The Grafton Hotel on Tottenham Court Road, London
1939   The highly advanced Atom prototype takes shape. It has an early type of spaceframe chassis, independent front suspension, an aerodynamic shape and a four-speed Cotal electric gearbox
1947   Engineering magnate David Brown answers an ad in The Times seeking an owner for a ‘high class motor business’ and buys Aston Martin for £20,000. Following the purchase of Lagonda he forms Aston Martin Lagonda
1948   A 2-litre Sports wins the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race
1949   Three DB2s tackle the Le Mans 24 hours, including one with a new 2.6-litre in-line six-cylinder engine designed by Willie Watson
1955   David Brown buys Tickford Motor Bodies in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Production of Aston Martins begins to migrate to the new facility
1958   The DB4 is launched, powered by a new 3.7-litre in-line six cylinder engine designed by Tadek Marek. It produces 240bhp and propels the DB4 to 140mph. The four-seater body is designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, using their 'Superleggera' construction method in which handmade aluminium panels are fixed to a tubular frame built onto a substantial platform chassis
1959   The DBR1 wins the World Sports Car Championship with victories in the Nürburgring 1000km and at Goodwood along the way. The crowning glory is outright victory at the Le Mans 24 hour with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori at the wheel
1960   Aston Martin begins its long association with Milan-based coachbuilder Zagato. The DB4 GT Zagato features a 314bhp engine, acrylic windows and a super lightweight body. Only 19 are produced between 1960-1963
1964   Sean Connery as James Bond drives the new DB5 in Goldfinger and an iconic on-screen relationship is born
1972   David Brown sells Aston Martin and Company Developments take control. In a period of uncertainty Aston Martin changes hands again
1975   Canadian George Minden and American businessman Peter Sprague rescue the company from administration
1976   The controversial William Towns’ designed Lagonda is launched. It attracts a huge amount of publicity and sales are strong
1981   The company changes hands again, this time bought by Tim Hearley’s CH Industrial and Victor Gauntlett’s Pace Petroleum. Gauntlett becomes chairman and quickly begins to turn Aston Martin around
1984   Automotive Industrial becomes sole owners of Aston Martin but Gauntlett stays on in his role. He’s soon a shareholder again when shipping magnate Peter Livanos takes a 75% share and Gauntlett the remaining 25%
1986   The Vantage Zagato is launched and becomes one of the fastest supercars in the world with a top speed of 186mph. Just 52 Coupés and 37 Volantes are produced
1987   Ford Motor Company takes a 75% share of Aston Martin and later becomes sole owner. A period of rapid investment begins
1993   The Ian Callum-designed DB7 is unveiled at the Geneva Auto Salon. It goes on sale the following year and is produced at a new factory in Bloxham, Oxfordshire. The DB7 goes on to become the most significant Aston Martin to date and represents a turning point for the company
1993   The 550bhp Vantage is launched to great acclaim
1999   DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante versions are produced using the first V12 production engine for Aston Martin
2000   A new era begins under Dr Ulrich Bez, who becomes Chairman and CEO. His vision of a modern Aston Martin will mark the beginning of the most successful period in Aston Martin’s history
2001   A new supercar utilising a bonded aluminium chassis and body with carbon fibre composites is launched. The V12 Vanquish sets a new blueprint for Aston Martin
2003   Aston Martin’s new global headquarters is opened in Gaydon, Warwickshire. It’s the first purpose-built facility in the company’s history
2003   DB9 production gets underway at Gaydon – the first car to use VH architecture
2004   Aston Martin’s engine plant in Cologne, Germany commences production of all V12 and V8 engines
2005   The DBR9 marks a return to the racetrack. It will go on to secure class victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008
2007   A new chapter in the company’s history is written as Aston Martin returns to independence. The Ford Motor Company sells Aston Martin to a consortium of two international investment houses, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment, led by Chairman David Richards
2009   The rapid development of the brand continues. The four-door Rapide is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow and the V12 Vantage and DBS Volante are launched. Aston Martin also unveils the ultimate expression of the marque, the One-77. On its debut the One-77 wins the Design Award in the Concepts and Prototypes Class at the Concorse d’Eleganza, Ville d’Este, Italy
2011   An historic partnership is rekindled with the launch of the V12 Zagato at the Concorso d’Eleganza, Ville d’Este, Italy. It also went on to win the Design Award in the Concepts and Prototypes Class at the Concorse d’Eleganza
2012   The iconic Vanquish name returns for a new flagship. This ultimate grand tourer combines world-leading design, industry-leading technology and advanced engineering to create a car that is the best Aston Martin in history