Aston Martin Aftermarket Grilles

Born in England, Aston Martin makes cars that place equal emphasis on high-thrill performance and discreet British elegance. The manufacturer's lineup is small and highly specialized; you'll only find sports cars on the Aston Martin roster. Still, the brand has made an incredible name for itself, and is known worldwide as a purveyor of sleek, top-of-the-line, road-hugging machinery. Founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford started Aston Martin in 1914. The two had seen some success selling Singer racing cars, but wanted to craft their own vehicles, with an emphasis on sophistication and refinement. The brand took its name from co-founder Martin and the Aston Clinton Hill Climb, where the duo's Singer cars had competed.

Originally, Aston Martin was known chiefly in racing circles. By the 1920s, the brand had made its first appearance overseas, participating in the French Grand Prix; it also participated in the Le Mans 24-hour race. The marque saw its share of financial difficulties during the '20s and '30s, undergoing numerous changes in ownership. Still, it made a name for itself with popular racing cars like the streamlined 1934 Ulster. The postwar years saw the brand change hands once again. Aston Martin was sold to David Brown, an industrialist with a successful tractor company. After purchasing the company in 1947, he set his sights on developing new models. The first was the DB1 (named after his own initials), introduced in 1948. It was soon followed by the DB2 and DB3.

The 1970s were a rough decade for Aston Martin. The brand was sold by David Brown in 1972, and once again, it went through another phase in which it was passed from owner to owner. Still, a new model went into production; the V8 Vantage was launched in 1977. Help came for the financially troubled brand in the 1980s. Aston Martin Grilles were taken over by Ford Motor Company in 1987. The Big Three automaker was determined to restore the brand to its former glory, and invested millions in research and development. By the 1990s, Ford's considerable efforts had begun to pay off. A new model, the DB7, was unveiled at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show. The car was a hit with both critics and buyers alike, and led the brand to an all-time volume high in 1995, when it produced more than 700 cars for the first time in its history.

Aston Martin's fortunes have continued to soar in the 2000s, with the launch of the successful V12 Vanquish, the DB9 and the V8 Vantage. Though recent financial trouble at Ford has led to the sale of Aston Martin to a group of investors, it's fully expected that the brand will continue to produce highly desirable sports and grand touring cars that exude luxury and exclusivity.

Aston Martin Custom Billet Grilles Gallery