The Worlds Oldest Surviving Aston Martin
The Bamford Martin A3 is without a doubt one of the most significant Aston Martin cars in the World today and also is the oldest surviving Aston Martin known.
Photographer Tim Wallace spent some time with this very special piece of automotive history to capture it in all its restored glory.
Photographer Tim Wallace spent some time with this very special piece of automotive history to capture it in all its restored glory.
08/02/2021
The Bamford and Martin A3
The Bamford and Martin A3 is without a doubt one of the most significant Aston Martin cars in the World today and also is the oldest surviving Aston Martin known.
Photographer Tim Wallace spent some time with this very special piece of automotive history to capture it in all its restored glory.
Bamford and Martin Ltd was incorporated in 1913 to formalise a partnership between Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. They had been modifying and selling Singer cars from their workshops at 16 Henniker Place, Callow St, Kensington, London. A decision was made to start and build a whole car of their own design and by 1915, the first Aston-Martin, named Coal Scuttle hit the road; more cars weren't built until 1920 but that was due to the Great War getting in the middle of things. Thank goodness they build them a little faster now.
Following Coal Scuttle, three more prototype cars were built including Bunny (no longer in existence) and the green car, below, chassis number A3 which was the third Aston Martin ever built and the oldest in existence. Despite being modified again and again it somehow survived. It is now owned by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (AMHT) and will undergo a full rebuild back to 1921 specification including the black paint which lead to it having a pet name that would not be considered suitable in this day and age. All of the Works Cars of Bamford and Martin had pet names, something started by Lionel Martin's wife, Kate. This tradition continues to this day as many if not most have pet names for their cars.
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