Which Aston Martins, from Newport Pagnell to Gaydon?
Aston Martin’s history falls into three broad periods, and each calls for a different eye. The Newport Pagnell grand tourers, from the DB4 to the V8s of the 1980s, were built largely by hand. The DB7 and the first Vanquish mark the transition. From the DB9 in 2004, production moved to Gaydon around a bonded aluminium structure, and the recent generations then turned to forced induction.
The workshop works across all three periods. A DB6 and a DB11 share little beyond the name: before any estimate, the car is placed within its generation, then examined.
- Newport Pagnell classics: DB4, DB5, DB6, DBS, V8 and V8 Vantage, Volante, then the Virage and its derivatives
- Transition: the DB7, supercharged six then V12, and the first Vanquish
- Bonded aluminium VH structure: DB9, V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage, DBS, Rapide
- Turbocharged generation: DB11, DBS Superleggera, Vantage, DB12 and the DBX SUV
From the Marek six to the twin-turbo V12: Aston Martin engines
The twin-overhead-camshaft straight six designed by Tadek Marek powers the DB4, DB5 and DB6, then the early DBS. The same engineer drew the 5.3-litre quad-cam V8, introduced in the DBS V8 and retained, in successive forms, through to the Virage and its derivatives.
Then came the 4.3- and later 4.7-litre V8 of the V8 Vantage, and the 5.9-litre V12 of the DB9, DBS, V12 Vantage and Rapide. From the DB11 onwards, Aston Martin moved to a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG. What each engine needs at a service is set out on the Aston Martin servicing page.
Transaxle, Sportshift, Touchtronic: the gearboxes to know
On the DB9, the V8 and V12 Vantage, the DBS and the Rapide, the gearbox sits at the rear, joined to the engine by a torque tube carrying the propeller shaft. This transaxle layout improves weight distribution; it also means treating the whole driveline, from engine to rear axle, as one system.
Depending on model and year, you will find a manual gearbox, the Touchtronic torque-converter automatic or Sportshift, a single-clutch automated manual. Clutch wear, on manual and Sportshift Vantages alike, is one of the most frequent questions; our clutch page explains how it is assessed.
Restoring a classic Aston Martin: where to begin?
For a DB4, DB5, DB6 or a Newport Pagnell V8, the first step is an honest survey: structure, hidden corrosion, engine, trim, correctness of parts. The method, the strip to bare metal and the choice between originality and interpretation are covered on the Aston Martin restoration page. The Aston Martin DB5 and DB6, among the most sought-after, have a page of their own.
Seat leather, carpets, headlining and trim are all renewed in-house: every piece of upholstery is made at the workshop, to period patterns and colours or to your own interpretation.