Just the Facts:
- Aston Martin on Monday detailed plans for its centenary celebration, including a James Bond-themed road trip around England and Wales.
- Aston Martin also created a special logo to mark its 100th anniversary.
- The highlight of the celebration will be a July concours event in London that showcases the brand's "100 most iconic cars."
LONDON — Aston Martin on Monday detailed plans for its centenary celebration, including a James Bond-themed road trip around England and Wales. Aston Martins have been the preferred ride of 007, the fictional British spy.
Aston Martin also created a special logo to mark its 100th anniversary. The logo is patterned after a nautilus shell and features 99 points culminating in a red "100" to mark the celebration year.
The highlight of the Aston Martin celebration will be a July concours event in London that showcases the brand's "100 most iconic cars." The weeklong festival will start on July 15. Aston Martin will also attempt to bring together the largest gathering of its cars in history.
Just ten days ago, Italian investment company Investindustrial signed a deal to buy 37.5 percent of Aston Martin from Kuwaiti owner Investment Dar. At the time, Aston Martin said it intends to invest the U.S. equivalent of $800 million in its new product and technology program over the next five years.
The company was founded on January 15, 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. They called the company Bamford & Martin. The switch of Aston to the name marked Bamford's success at the Aston Clinton Hillclimb, where the company raced its first cars.
"In the century that followed, Aston Martin has come to represent many things, from sporting prowess through to technical innovation, beautiful design, fine craftsmanship and superior performance," the company said in a statement.
The automaker said the James Bond-themed road trip will feature "a number of the iconic Bond film locations." Aston Martins have shared equal billing with many of the actors who have played James Bond. In the 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights, a new Aston Martin Volante featured wheel-axle lasers, missiles and a self-destruct button.
