*The earliest known surviving 'production' Aston Martin *Exceptionally well documented history *Fully restored by Ecurie Bertelli *AMOC concours winner Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins (the hyphen is correct for the period) rapidly established a reputation for high performance and sporting prowess in the immediate post-WWI years.

The company traces its history back to 1914, when Bamford & Martin Ltd built their first car - ultimately known as 'Coal Scuttle' - at their works in Henniker Place, Chelsea.

The coming of war saw the two founders engaged in more important activities, and 'Coal Scuttle' remained the sole Bamford & Martin car for some years.

The company later changed its name to Aston-Martin, retaining the name of founder Lionel Martin and borrowing from the Aston hill climb near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (the hyphen was later dropped).

The first Astons used four-cylinder sidevalve engines, and though the firm experimented with over...