The Newport Pagnell Era Aston Martin Models

1958 - 1990

Six cylinder cars from the Coachbuilding Works in the Buckinghamshire town of Newport Pagnell. From the DB4 to the Aston Martin AM Vantage, we cover the golden area of Aston Martin design, with some of the most achingly gorgeous cars ever made. This era also included the Newport Pagnell Era V8 models, something Aston Martin needed to grow globally.

6 Cylinder Timeline / 6 Cylinder Model List / 6-Cylinder Models In Depth / V8 Timeline / V8 Model List / V8 Models In Depth

1958 - 1973 Timeline & Details (The Sixes)

Aston Martin unveiled the all new DB4 at the 1958 Paris Motor Show. Demand was strong for this sleek, Italian styled GT but production couldn't be hurried. The DB4 was the first Aston Martin to be fully manufactured in the former Salmons (and Tickfords) Coachbuilding Works in the Buckinghamshire town of Newport Pagnell. A shortened, lightened and tuned DB4 GT was popular with the racing fraternity which spawned the ultra-rare and achingly beautiful DB4GT Zagato. A wonderful DB4 convertible was eventually offered plus the DB4 derived four door Lagonda Rapide.

Below Summary from AstonMartins.com

David Brown so wanted a Lagonda saloon in the range but production of the DB4 based Rapide was spasmodic and to special order only, as the factory was geared up to DB4 production. The Lagonda marque became dormant again in 1964 after production of the Rapide ceased.

In 1963, the DB4 Vantage evolved to become the 4 litre DB5, made famous by 007 James Bond himself in the films Goldfinger and Thunderball. The specially adapted Dubonnet DB5 prototype was repainted Silver Birch and became the most famous and desirable car in the world. There was no way the factory could keep up with the phenomenal demand fuelled by the films. Even today, 007 and Aston Martin are inseparable. Demand for DB5’s is still far in excess of the other similar models and prices reflect this. Everyone still wants to be James Bond in a silver DB5 with black interior. But for those who’s pockets couldn’t stretch to the real thing, the Corgi scale model of the 007 James Bond DB5 has become the most popular diecast toy car of all time. A Silver Birch DB5 has now appeared in seven Bond films including the recent, Skyfall and No Time to Die.

The Kamm tailed DB6 was introduced in 1965 with better rear seat accommodation in an effort to increase sales to those in need of a full 4 seater. But shortly after and with an economic slowdown, demand slumped and many unsold cars awaited owners, stockpiled at the factory. The DB6 was for a while, a popular first Aston Martin, although prices have hardened recently and they are now much more expensive than an AMV8. An improved Mark 2 version of the DB6 was introduced late in 1969, although production only lasted for a little over a year.

In 1965, the DB5 convertible was updated and became the Volante; exceptionally stylish, open top motoring for the select few. From the production run of the DB4/5/6, convertibles only made up around one in every ten cars built. Consequently, values of these cars far exceeds those of the closed cars. A larger, proper four seater car, the DBS, was first shown in 1967. Although it was intended to carry the V8 engine, it wasn’t ready in time so car was released with the familiar six cylinder unit. But with increased weight, headline performance suffered against the DB6. The restyled nose of the 1972 AMV8 was also applied to the 6 cylinder DBS when it became known as the AM Vantage. Due to the belief that safety legislation would prohibit open top cars, neither the DBS or AM Vantage were available from the factory as a convertible although some after market conversions were made.

Production of the Tadak Marek 6 cylinder cars lasted for 15 years and eventually ended in 1973. The ‘DB’ line lay dormant until 1994 when the DB7 appeared, the spiritual successor to the DB4. The DB4, 5 and 6 were, and still are for many, the quintessential Aston Martin – rarer, faster and more beautiful than the Jaguar E-type – and chosen by the most discerning secret agent. Demand for all of the models has increased greatly in the last few years lead by the Zagato, DB4GT and DB5. As values have grown rapidly, making them unobtainable to all but the comfortably wealthy off, keen enthusiasts are quickly focusing on the previously unloved DBS and AM Vantage as an affordable entry-level six cylinder DB.

Newport Pagnell 6-Cylinder Aston Martin Model List

Aston Martin DB4

Aston Martin DB4 Saloon (series 1)
Aston Martin DB4 Saloon (series 2)
Aston Martin DB4 Saloon (series 3)
Aston Martin DB4 Saloon (series 4)
Aston Martin DB4 Saloon (series 5)
Aston Martin DB4 Convertible (s 4)
Aston Martin DB4 Convertible (s 5)
Aston Martin DB4 Vantage
Aston Martin DB4 Vantage GT
Aston Martin DB4 AMOC Racecar

Aston Martin DB4GT

Aston Martin DP199 (Prototype)
Aston Martin DB4GT
Aston Martin DB4GT Bertone Jet
Aston Martin DB4 DP2155 (Prototype)
Aston Martin DB4GT Replica
Aston Martin DB4 G.T. Continuation

Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante

Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante

Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato

Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
Aston Martin DB GT Special Zagato
Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato (II and III)
Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Barchetta

Aston Martin DB5

Aston Martin DB5
Aston Martin DB5 Convertible
Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake
Aston Martin DB5 Bond
Aston Martin DB5 007 'Works Replica'
Aston Martin DB5 (007 Goldeneye)
Aston Martin DB5 (007 Casino Royale)
Aston Martin DB5 (007 Skyfall)
Aston Martin DB5 Sports (Royle & Co)
Aston Martin DB5 (Ogle Design)
Aston Martin DB5 007 Continuation

Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide

Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide
Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide Shooting Brake

Aston Martin DB6

Aston Martin DB6
Aston Martin DB6 Volante
Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake
Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2
Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Volante
Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake
Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Electric

Aston Martin DBS / Aston Martin AM Vantage

Aston Martin DBS C by Touring
Aston Martin DBS (6 cylinder)
Aston Martin DBS Estate
Aston Martin DBS from 'Persuaders!'
Aston Martin AM Vantage
Aston Martin DBSZ Concept

Aston Martin DB4 to AM Vantage In-Depth Guides

We take a look a detailed look at all the models from this era, from DB4 to AM Vantage.

1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Volante

1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Vantage

1967 – 1972 Aston Martin DBS

1966 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante

1966 Aston Martin DBSC Coupé

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Volante

1965 – 1969 Aston Martin DB6

1965 – 1967 Radford DB5 Shooting Brake

1964 Aston Martin DB5 ‘James Bond’

1964 – 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible

1964 – 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage

1963 Aston Martin DP214

1963 – 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

1963 – 1965 Aston Martin DB5

1962 Aston Martin DP212

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV

1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series III

1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

1961 – 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible

1960 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage

1960 Aston Martin DB4 Bertone “Jet”

1960 Aston Martin DB4

1960 – 1964 Aston Martin DB4 GT

1960 – 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series II

1958 – 1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series I

1969 - 1990 Timeline & Details (The V8s)

Management believed that Aston Martin needed a powerful V8 model to really grow the company beyond its straight six heritage. They took the relatively new DBS (released in 1967) and two years later gave it a V8, becoming the Aston Martin DBS V8. Unfortunately, financial success still did not materialize and after Aston Martin was sold as a company, several revisions were made to the V8. Sales still didn't materialize thanks to the oil crisis and the company then ended up being put into administration in 1974, until it a multinational consortium of enthusiastic businessmen took over in 1975. The first new car from the new owners was the spectacular Lagonda, followed quickly by the V8 Vantage which was the fastest car in the world. Constant upgrades and changes were made to the V8 Aston Martin cars all the way up till 1990.

Below Summary from AstonMartins.com

Sales of thirsty GT’s were badly hit with the mid 70’s fuel crisis and the new owners of AML, Company Developments also suffered financial problems. William Wilson put the company into administration in late in 1974. Aston Martin Lagonda, the company that had virtually never posted a profit, almost disappeared. But, thankfully, a multinational consortium of enthusiastic businessmen took over in 1975 and full production began again.

The first new car from the new owners was the spectacular Lagonda. The Aston Martin Lagonda was way ahead of it’s time – a classic 70’s wedge; you either love it or hate it (and I unashamedly adore the Lagonda). This was quickly followed by the high performance V8 Vantage – at the time, the fastest car in the world and the first British Supercar. Such a huge and heavy car, the Vantage came with four seats and the ability to take on and beat the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 512BB hands down. The range was completed in 1978 with the elegant V8 Volante and after a gap of eight years, AML could again tempt customers in the lucrative US market with a stylish convertible. By the mid 1980’s the combination of the Vantage engine and open bodywork gave Aston Martin the fastest open four seater the world had ever seen, the V8 Vantage Volante.

In 1980, AML demonstrated their engineering skills with the unveiling of the fantastic gull-winged Bulldog. Only one 200mph machine was constructed, and it remains the only mid-engined road car Aston Martin have ever built.

Whilst the V8’s were constantly upgraded, they were starting to look dated by the early 1980’s. The replacement for the V8 was still some way off, so the old association with Zagato was renewed in 1985. The limited edition V8 Vantage Zagato and Zagato Volante were a sales success; the cash earned was used to fund the development of the Virage – the car that eventually replaced the AM V8. Despite the great age of the design, constant development kept the V8 going until 1989. Performance of the X-pack V8 Vantage in particular was equal to many other late 80’s supercars and demand remained strong in the buoyant market for Astons and other prestigious classic cars.

The chrome bumper V8’s are a popular first choice as a Classic Aston Martin; they were until the introduction of the DB7, the most popular cars within the Aston Martin Owners Club. It used to be said that a decent AM V8 can cost the same as a brand new performance saloon but with impeccable breeding and supercar performance thrown in. But as with many classic cars, prices have hardened and you will have to dig deeply for a well sorted example. Running costs are potentially a problem, especially as petrol is getting very expensive right now and they are thirsty for the stuff (12 mpg!), but this is easily outweighed by zero depreciation and inexpensive classic insurance. If your purse is big enough, go for the performance icon that is the V8 Vantage and live happily ever after. By todays standards, they were built in tiny numbers.