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Throughout the
1970's and 1980's, the management of AML recognised the disadvantages of marketing
such an expensive motor car as the V8. When the economy was buoyant, the
super-rich would buy, but when recession took hold, the market for such cars
virtually dried up.
There was a definite need for a smaller, lighter and somewhat less expensive car - a continuation of the six cylinder line of GT's started by the DB4 of 1958.
Demand for such a car should be much stronger and perhaps more consistent. But only with the backing and funding from the Ford Motor Company, who bought
a majority share in AML in 1988, did the DB7 become reality.
Let me make two VERY important points here and now -
1. The DB7 is the probably the most beautiful car in the world - timeless,
elegant, without the need to look retro
2. The DB7 is not a Jaguar. OK so it might have borrowed some substantial bits
from the XJ-S (and maybe the stillborn XJ-41 F-type) but that's exactly what Aston Martins have always done.
The first Aston Martin was derived from a Singer and the DB2 had a Lagonda engine
- didn't matter then, doesn't matter now.
The straight i6 coupe version of the DB7, unveiled to fantastic acclaim in 1993, was joined by the
stylish convertible Volante in 1996; a car in great demand within the US marketplace. For those owners who need a little more, Works Service
and dealers worldwide provided and still provide a Driving Dynamics package of enhancements
to previously registered cars.
But the icing on the DB7 cake was the V12 engined Vantage, unveiled at the 1999
Geneva Motor Show. Its six litre powerplant was first seen in a Ford concept
car, then the Lagonda Vignale and finally the Project Vantage.
The i6 DB7 was quietly retired in June 1999.
During 2002, two more DB7's were announced, the limited edition and
dramatic DB7 V12 Zagato and the exciting DB7 V12 GT. Plus in early 2003, AML
announced another limited edition, the Zagato bodied roadster aimed for at the US market, the DB AR1.
All of the DB7 range of cars were built at AML's second factory
at Bloxham near Banbury in Oxfordshire. The Bloxham factory had previously been
used to build the Jaguar XJ220 supercar and following the departure of AML in
2003, was sold to a printing firm. By
the end of production, the DB7 had become the most successful Aston Martin
ever with a little over 7000 examples completed. Without the success of the 7,
Aston Martin would never have survived into the 21st century. At that time (December 2003), more than one in every three
Aston Martins ever produced was a DB7. Nowadays it is considered
one of the most beautiful cars ever built and is THE favourite first Aston Martin
for owners on a tight budget. |
