Aston Martin Diecast Model Cars

Spy-Class Luxury

Few cars have the panache of an Aston Martin. Billed by the company as "civilized high performance sports cars," the automaker associates itself with edgy technology and artistry. Even its headquarters in Gaydon, England, reflect the sleek and sophisticated feel of its coveted cars.

The company has had many iterations. It was founded in 1913 but over the decades ran into financial challenges and, thus, had many owners -- including a Count, a royal Lady, the Kuwait Investment Office and Ford Motor Company. Each new owner struggled to develop just the right formula for the luxury vehicles that include several series of limited release cars.

Aston Martin got a big boost from author Ian Fleming when he put 007 behind the wheel of a ...more

Spy-Class Luxury

Few cars have the panache of an Aston Martin. Billed by the company as "civilized high performance sports cars," the automaker associates itself with edgy technology and artistry. Even its headquarters in Gaydon, England, reflect the sleek and sophisticated feel of its coveted cars.

The company has had many iterations. It was founded in 1913 but over the decades ran into financial challenges and, thus, had many owners -- including a Count, a royal Lady, the Kuwait Investment Office and Ford Motor Company. Each new owner struggled to develop just the right formula for the luxury vehicles that include several series of limited release cars.

Aston Martin got a big boost from author Ian Fleming when he put 007 behind the wheel of a DB Mark III in "Goldfinger." From there, it was a short drive to the silver screen where Bond continued to favor the sleek, elite Aston Martins in a series of Bond films. But, the pleasures of Aston Martins are not for men alone; "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria Parker (playing Gabrielle) drives a DB9 Volante.

Having learned from experience, the company is now owned by a consortium that includes a British collector, private investors, Ford Motor Company and two Kuwaiiti investment companies. It has returned to its roots in Warwickshire where it designs, builds and markets to the most discriminating of car buyers. For the rest of us, there's a perfect die cast replica of James Bond's Silver Aston Martin V12 Vanquish at a price we can all afford. ...less