... and the story goes on

In 1971 it became apparent to the David Brown Corporation that Aston Martin Lagonda was not going to be able to fit in their long-term plans and the decision was taken to sell the Company. On 16 February 1972 Company Developments, a Birmingham-based group of businessmen, acquired the whole of the issued share capital, Sir David Brown retaining a seat on the Board of Directors and becoming President of the Company and Mr William Willson becoming the new Chairman.

Production of the DBS and DBS V8 continued until May 1972, when modified versions of the two cars appeared and with them, the deletion of the reference to DB.

The revised models were renamed the Aston Martin Vantage, the six-cylinder car, now available only with the high performance Vantage engine and the Aston Martin V8. Both cars had revised frontal treatment, using two larger headlamps in place of the original four small ones.

The following year saw the production of the last six-cylinder car and the change from the original fuel injection on the V8 to carburettors.

In 1974 Company Developments decided to sell Aston Martin Lagonda and at the end of that year production was halted whilst a buyer was sought.

In June 1975 possession of the Company was secured by North Americans Peter Sprague and George Minden, shortly to be joined by Englishman Alan Curtis. Immediate plans were put in hand to revitalize the Company and a direct result of this was the appearance of the new Aston Martin Lagonda at Earls Court in 1976. With coachwork by William Towns, who had previously styled the DBS, its strikingly modern appearance and very advanced specification made a considerable impact.

The following year saw the introduction of very high performance version of the V8, called the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. In June 1978 a convertible version of the standard car, called the Volante, was unveiled, initially for the export market, to be followed in October by a revised version ofthe standard car, giving it a more refined appearance and even more luxurious interior.

March 1980 saw the appearance of another very advanced car which was to be known as the Bulldog. In the same year the Lagonda came into full production.

The early 1980's saw Aston Martin Lagonda change hands once again, for in January Pace Petroleum - a private petroleum distribution company led by Victor Gauntlett - and C.H. Industrials, a public Company chaired by Tim Hearley, took control. Both had in fact joined the board the previous year.

The name Aston Martin has been continuously associated with motor racing since the Company's earliest days and ceased only when David Brown withdrew in 1963, due, in part, to steeply climbing costs.

In 1982 the Company took a step back into the competition field through an association with Nimrod Racing Automobiles. This was a small joint concern, started by Robin Hamilton, who ran an Aston Martin distributorship in Staffordshire, and Victor Gauntlett, and was formed to run cars in the World Endurance Championship class of racing. Aston Martin supplied racing engines and back-up services to Nimrod, and at the end of their first competition year Nimrods finished third in the Championship, having fin- ished seventh in general classification at Le Mans.

In July 1983, Automotive Investments - distributors of Aston Martin and Lagonda cars in the United States - purchased the Pace Petroleum shares in the Company. Under the agreement, Automotive Investments owned 55 per cent of Aston Martin Lagonda, with C.H. Industrials owning the remaining shares. Mr Gauntlett remained with the Company as Executive Chairman. In February 1984, C.H. Industrials sold their remaining shares to Automotive Investments who controlled 100 per cent ofthe Company until October 1984, when the family of Peter Livanos took 75 per cent, and Mr Gauntlett 25 per cent.

In March 1986, Aston Martin unveiled the 300 kph Vantage Zagato, ofw hich just 50 would be built. In the following year a convertible version was unveiled and this was destined to be an even rarer car, for just 35 were produced.

The year of 1987 was also notable for two other events. Aston Martin again teamed up with James Bond in 'The Living Daylights', while in September it was announced that Ford were to purchase 75 per cent of the Company's shares, with the remaining 25 per cent being owned equally by the Livanos family and Mr Gauntlett, who was to stay as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive.

In October 1988, the Virage was unveiled at the British Motor Show. Designed to take the Company into the 21st century, this 155 mph, two-door, 2+2 replaced the V8, which had been in production for 20 years.

The all-new British-styled Virage contained a number of innovative features, yet retained the style and craftsmanship so long associated with the marque.

In September 1991, long-serving Executive Chairman Victor Gauntlett resigned and was replaced by Walter Hayes, a former Vice-Chairman of Ford of Europe.

The year of 1992 was a busy one for the Company, with the announcement of a 6.3-litre coriversion of the Virage in January, and the unveiling of a Shooting Brake version at the Geneva Show in March. That show also saw the debut of the production version of the Virage Volante.

This is where my official factory provided history paper ended.

Since 1992:

1993: introduction of the DB7 and the Lagonda Vignale prototype - designed by Ghia.

Late 1993: introduction of the Limited edition Lagonda

1994: production of DB7 started, Limited Edition Coupé has debuted.

1995: To celebrate 60 years of its owners club, they produced a one-off 'solitaire' edition of the Virage Volante to be sold with a set of Cartier jewellery. The price? About $1.25 million. This car was sold in December, 1995 and disappeared since then.

1996: at the Detroit Autoshow the company introduced the DB7 Convertible. US buyers lined up - the timing was right. Also in 1996 TWR, the internationally renowned British design company showed a V12-engined DB7. It's a one-off.