Oldest surviving Aston, the A3, meets the new Vanquish

Aston's new DB9 pioneered the lightweight bonded aluminium platform - still used today - and was the first model to be built at Gaydon.

The introduction of the 'baby' Aston in 2005 gave Porsche 911 buyers something to think about.

Built as a successor to the Lagonda and based on the DB9, the Rapide seamlessly made the transformation from two- to four-door.

The combination of Aston's well-proven V12 engine and compact V8 Vantage body is rather a good one...

With 375bhp, the V8 Vantage was for a time the fastest car (in a straight-line) you could buy. Later cars had more than 400bhp.

The last of the old-school brawny Astons, with over 600bhp and a claimed 200mph top speed.

The latest Zagato model - this time based on the V12 Vantage - built to celebrate 50 years of successful collaboration.

With a shortened wheelbase and double-bubble roof, the DB7 Zagato harked back to the DB4 GTZ.

Designed to be the most extreme Aston Martin ever, the company came up with the super-exclusive One-77 (video above).

Aston's first four-door saloon, the Lagonda, was based on the V8. Just seven were built.

The convertible version of the Zagato was sold almost exclusively in the USA, hence the AR1 (America Roadster) name.

Since first appearing in Goldfinger, the DB5 has been a universally recognised motoring icon.

First Aston launched under Ford ownership, the 1994 DB7 saw a return to the in-line six engine, with the V12 Vantage coming in 1999.

Based on the DB9, the DBS was dynamically sharpened up - and given a much more aggressive look.

200mph V12 Vanquish was initially only offered with an automatic gearbox, although manual was an option in the last 'S' models.

Aston once again joined forces with Zagato to produce the Vantage-based V8 Zagato.

V8 Vantage returned in 1993, now with 550bhp thanks to a supercharged 5.3 V8.

The Virage replaced the aging V8 models in 1989

2011 saw a return for the Virage nameplate, based on the DB9.

Originally revealed in 1976, it took a further two years to get the 'Wedge' to market due to problems developing the technology.