Aston Martin Ultimate Portfolio 1981-1993

For Aston Martin the period 1981 to 1993 was a time of transition progressing from the DB body to the new Virage plus the takeover of the Company by Ford in the early 1990s. The fourth book in this series deals with the Gauntlet and Livanos period. These two rekindled the link with Zagato, who brought to life the V8 Zagato. The Lagonda V8 continued to keep their heads above water and they also gave support to a number of private racing teams. On the production front 1988 saw the brand new Virage, powered by a new 5.3 litre V8 and at the same time on the racing side there was the V8 AMR1 series of Group “C” racers. Money, however, was a problem, so when Ford made an offer Gauntlet and Martin wisely accepted. With Ford behind them, the V8 cars continued to increase in luxury and power and the AMR1 entered its first season of international racing. 1993 saw the establishment of Aston Martin based at the TWR works at Bloxham, near Banbury and it was from here that, in a year’s time, an exciting new model would emerge.