Aston Martin Works Marks 70 Years in Newport Pagnell
A unique gathering of more than 100 classic Aston Martin and Lagonda models took centre stage at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, marking the landmark 70th anniversary of the brand’s presence at its Buckinghamshire site. Owners brought treasured cars that underline the heritage of Aston Martin Lagonda and the enduring appeal of British sports cars.
The marque's heritage home, and the place where many of its most famous 20th-century models were built, marked the milestone with a special celebration on Saturday, 11 October. Aston Martin invited owners of cars produced during the 50-plus years when Newport Pagnell housed the Aston Martin factory and the former Service Division to return to the site and share in the occasion.
Throughout the day, exceptionally rare and valuable Aston Martin and Lagonda cars made their way along world-famous Tickford Street to arrive at Works. The spectacle highlighted the historic link between Newport Pagnell and models that define the brand, reinforcing the site’s status among classic car enthusiasts.
Keynote speakers added further lustre. World-renowned DB7 and V12 Vanquish designer Ian Callum spoke about design and innovation. Motorsport and engineering figure Ray Mallock, a Nimrod privateer driver in the 1980s, shared racing insights. Iain Heggie, son of 1960s Aston Martin Managing Director Steve Heggie, reflected on a pivotal era for Aston Martin Lagonda.
For many guests, the cars themselves proved the true stars. The display included every major Aston Martin and Lagonda model built between 1955 and the early 2000s. Visitors admired DB6, DB5 and DB4 icons alongside V12 Vanquish and V8 models, illustrating the breadth of the Newport Pagnell legacy and the depth of the UK’s classic car culture.
Sunnyside, the former global headquarters of Aston Martin Lagonda on Tickford Street, drew a crowd with an exceptional lineup of DB6s. Across the road, DB4 and DB5 owners positioned their cars in front of the Aston Martin Works showroom, while V12 Vanquish, V8 and Lagonda drivers formed equally impressive displays around the Works site. With DB 2/4 and DB Mk III examples plus the odd V550 and V600, the event showcased every major model built on the site.
The Aston Martin Owners Club supported the celebration in force and ran a relaxed concours competition led by AMOC Chief Judge Michael Reed. Prize-giving at the end of the day saw several owners collect trophies. Every attendee received a commemorative pin badge and a specially designed poster print as lasting mementoes of their visit to Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell.
The Works team opened every area of the business. Visitors explored behind the scenes in the Modern and Heritage Workshops, Panel, and PTrimShops, and watched live restorations and purchased parts, accessories, and souvenirs from a dedicated stand beside the on-site Parts department. The experience brought the craft of Aston Martin restoration and servicing to life.
Detail hunters spotted body bucks and an English Wheel among the fixtures, a nod to traditional coachbuilding techniques and artisan skills handed down at Newport Pagnell for generations. These tools and methods remain central to heritage restoration, reinforcing the site’s reputation for authenticity and expertise.
Reflecting on the success of the day, Aston Martin Works President, Paul Spires, said: “We wanted the 70th anniversary event to be a memorable occasion for all concerned, but I don’t think any of us envisaged it being quite such an unforgettable affair!
“The chats with our superb guest speakers, the enthusiasm and dedication of the Works staff, and the exceptional commitment of our guests, some of whom had travelled hundreds of miles to be with us on Saturday, really do speak volumes about the affection for Newport Pagnell as a key part of the Aston Martin Lagonda story.
“A few of the cars that were present at the anniversary celebration had not been back to Newport Pagnell since the day they were built, many decades ago, while many others are, of course, ‘old friends’ of the Works business.
“I don’t think, even back in the ‘60s, there was ever a time when quite so many examples of the DB6 were parked outside Sunnyside, and in this, the 60th anniversary of the car’s launch, it was truly a sight to behold!”
