One of the things we love to share with our visitors is the story of how Aston Martin got its name. That instantly recognisable moniker which carries the weight of iconic British motor manufacture and luxury.
On the cusp of the First World War, Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin had competed in hill climbs in a modified Singer sportscar, but what they both wanted was to build their own car.
After establishing Bamford & Martin Ltd in 1913, the next step was to find a name for their new marque-to-be.
Having successfully competed in the Aston Clinton hill climb, it is believed to be Kate Martin who persuaded her husband to use ‘Aston’ at the front of the new name. The reasoning being that it would appear at the top of alphabetic lists of car manufacturers, making that all important first impression.
Over 100 years later, it was with no small smile on my face that I noticed AMHT’s own presence at the top of the list for Oxfordshire, when we recently took part in this years’ Heritage Open Days.
Heritage Open Days takes place for a week every September and is England’s biggest community led festival of history and culture. The 2024 theme was ‘Routes – Networks – Connections’, what better time for us to get involved!
Armed with bunting, flags and delicious cupcakes made by our volunteer Claire, on Saturday 7th September we welcomed over 170 people through our doors.
It was wonderful to see so many people take the opportunity to visit us, and be able to share the story of Aston Martin with them. We had countless brilliant conversations and received such lovely feedback – thank you! We’re looking forward to welcoming familiar and new faces back soon.
Thanks to some excellent twentieth century marketing skills, it is perhaps not by accident that we are able to show all these years later that Aston Martin’s are still topping the list.
