Aston Martin will enjoy the honour of being a featured marque at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® this August as the company continues its centennial celebrations around the world.
The globally-renowned British luxury sports car maker is marking its first 100 years with a series of international events highlighting the unique success of Aston Martin worldwide. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® always marks a pinnacle in the automotive calendar but will take on added significance for the brand in this special year.
Aston Martin Chief Executive and Concours Judge, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The Pebble BeachConcours d’Elegance® symbolises the very soul of the automobile – it is a showcase to the world – and we are very pleased to be part of this great weekend.
“This special event is not only a celebration of what has been, but also of what may come in the future and it is this spirit that makes it the perfect location to continue to celebrate our first 100 years while also looking forward to an exciting and vibrant future.”
The historic concours has been held on the scenic Northern California coast since 1950 and has grown to attract entries from some of the finest and most rare automobiles in the world establishing itself as one of the most prestigious distinctions for automobile collectors.
The concours marks the culmination of Pebble Beach Automotive Week which provided a fitting location for the North American debut of Aston Martin’s new super GT; the 2014 Vanquish last year. In keeping with the significant nature of the 2013 event, further exciting unveils are planned.
Further details on the relevant classes involving Aston Martin and the company’s plans for Pebble Beach Automotive Week will follow in the coming weeks. Pebble Beach® and Pebble BeachConcours d’Elegance® are trademarks and service marks of Pebble Beach Company. Usedbypermission.
Aston Martin: 1913 to 2013
On 15 January 1913, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded a new automotive venture.
They called their company Bamford & Martin which later became Aston Martin, acknowledging Lionel Martin’s success at the Aston Clinton Hillclimb in Buckinghamshire, where he hadsuccessfully raced their very first cars.Bamford and Martin began their business in Chelsea’s Henniker Mews in London, becoming well known as providers of sporting machines to enthusiastic racers and discerning enthusiasts.
In the century that followed Aston Martin has come to represent many things, from sporting prowess through to technical innovation, beautiful design, fine craftsmanship and superiorperformance.
In Aston Martin’s first 90 years the company built fewer than 15,000 cars. The open bodied two-seater sports specials of the pre-war years gave way to the David Brown era of the 1950s and beyond which saw the introduction of the legendary DB2/4, DB4, DB5, DB6 and DBS, before the V8 Vantage and Virage led Aston Martin to the DB7, original Vanquish and on into the modern era.
A second celebration sees Aston Martin mark its first decade at Gaydon, in Warwickshire, moving in to its purpose-built premises on 3 January 2003. Since that date Aston Martin, overseen by CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, has produced 45,000 cars to huge critical and commercial acclaim.
The original DB9 and Vantage were joined by the Rapide, DBS, Virage and now the timeless new DB9 and ultimate GT, the Vanquish – Aston Martin’s latest flagship sports car.
Aston Martin is, too, no longer focused on the domestic market but an international player,exporting 75% of its annual production around the world to 146 dealerships in 41 countries.
