The Aston Martin DB Series Timeline

Did you ever wonder what the “DB” meant?

The 2014 Aston Martin DB9

The “DB” series from Aston Martin is a long line of luxury grand tourers. The DB is David Brown, the head honcho of Aston Martin from 1947-1972. He answered a classified ad in the “Times” offering for sale “a High-Class Motor Business.” Brown purchased Aston Martin for 20,500 GBP. The next year he purchased Lagonda for 50,500 GBP, then he purchased the coachbuilder “Tickford” in 1955. He organized all of Aston Martin manufacturing at the Tickford facility in Newport Pagnell. Brown was an entrepreneur that owned race horses, played Polo at “Ham Polo Club”, raced cars and motorcycles, and was also a qualified pilot. He was knighted as Sir David Brown in 1968.

The most famous of the Aston Martin DB series is the iconic DB5 driven by Sean Connery in 6 James Bond movies, the two most famous were GoldFinger and ThunderBall. The Bond DB5 was every young man’s dream. It had many gadgets including a tire cutter, bullet-proof shield for the rear windscreen, machine guns in the front wings, and retractable battering rams built into the bumper guards. It was designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera the Italian coachbuilder in 1963. Its magnesium-alloy bodywork was built using the patented Superleggera process. The DB5 used a 3.7 & 4.0 litre in-line six cylinder engine that produced 282 bhp.

Aston Martin DB1 (1948-1950)

Aston Martin DB2 (1950-1953)

Aston Martin DB2-4 (1953-1955)

Aston Martin DB Mark III (1957-1959)

Aston Martin DB4 (1958-1963)

Aston Martin DB4 GT (1959-1963)

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible (1961-1963)

Aston Martin DB5 (1963-1965)

The most famous of the Aston Martin DB series is the iconic DB5. It was driven in six James Bond films. Two of the most famous being driven by Sean Connery in “GoldFinger” and “ThunderBall.” The Bond DB5 was every young man’s dream. It had many life-saving gadgets like a tire cutter, bullet-proof shield for the rear windscreen, machine guns in the front wings, and retractable battering rams in the front bumper guards. Inside were his passenger ejector seat, controls for the oil slick, smoke screen, and his graphic screen for the tracking device.

The DB was designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera the Italian coachbuilder in 1963. Its magnesium-alloy bodywork was built using the patented Superleggera process. The DB5 used a 3.7 & 4.0 litre in-line six cylinder engine which produced 282 bhp.

An extremely rare Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake

Aston Martin DB6 (1965-1969)

Aston Martin DB6 Volante (1966-1969)

Aston Martin DBSC (1966)

 

Aston Martin DBS (1969-1972)

Aston Martin DB7 (1994-2003)

Aston Martin DB7 Volante (1996-2003)

Aston Martin DB7 Vantage (1999-2003)

Aston Martin DB7 GT (2002-2003)

Aston Martin DB AR1 (2002-2004)

This DB has Zagato bodywork

Aston Martin DB9 (2002-2012)

Aston Martin DB9 Volante

2014 Aston Martin DB9

The 2014 version of the DB9 has a fresh new design. It is as timeless and elegant as ever. This is the most powerful DB9 ever. The power comes from Aston Martin’s all new AM 11 engine. It is a 6.0 litre alloy V12 that delivers 517 PS, 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and 620 Nm of torque.

The new DB9 is built upon VH architecture  The carbon-fibre front splitter and rear diffuser combined with the new rear bootlid, creates a network of increased downforce. It has a Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake system that provide better heat dissipation and reduced fade. The DB9 got the new Gen4 suspension system with 3-stage Adaptive Damping System with Normal, Sport, and Track Modes to allow the driver to fine-tune the ride system dynamics.

The DB moniker is a badge that signifies engineering excellence and high quality hand craftsmenship. It was a new series produced under David Brown, one time CEO of Aston Martin. The DB series evolved into the current day versions. All of the beauty of Aston Martin in inherent in the hand-crafted DB series. The current DB9 is the best DB9 ever produced.