John Christopher takes a fresh look at 100 years of Britain's most iconic car company, Aston Martin. From the origins of the Aston Martin marque, through the gadget-laden stars of numerous James Bond films, to the prestigious super-cars that continue to be market leaders throughout the world.

Aston Martin was nearly called Bamford Martin, as founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford were already selling cars together, but in the end the company was named after the Aston Hill speed hill-climb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire. Their first car was produced in 1915 but war and financial troubles often tempered progress and the company went through various changes in ownership on its way to becoming the global icon it is today. Following the typical Story book format, this sleekest of cars is celebrated with a wealth of colour photographs, facts and statistics.