Aston Martin marks 70-year bond with Newport Pagnell

11 October 2025

Sam ReadNewport Pagnell

News image — The DB5 was one of a series of famous models to be previously manufactured in Newport Pagnell

Sam Read/BBC Six Aston Martin DB5s can be seen parked in a line in front of a glass fronted building. The nearest car to to the camera is a green-blue colour. They are parked on grey paving slabs. — The DB5 was one of a series of famous models to be previously manufactured in Newport Pagnell

Car maker Aston Martin has won a place "in the hearts and minds" of the town where it was based for 70 years, its company historian has said.

The luxury brand marked the anniversary of opening a factory in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, in 1955.

The company has manufactured some of its most iconic models at the site on Tickford Street and now restores, services and sells cars there.

Historian Steve Waddingham said the town had become "synonymous" with the firm.

Sam Read/BBC An upper body picture of Aston Martin company historian Steve Waddingham. He is looking at the camera. The background is blurred but behind him is a room with a brick wall and a plain white wall in view. There are several sports cars in the background. — Historian Steve Waddingham says the bulk of the firm's most famous cars have been built in Newport Pagnell

Owners around the world knew of the town, he said.

"[It is] a bit like when people send a letter to the King and just put 'King, Buckingham Palace' and hope for the best.

"Letters still come to Newport Pagnell."

ASTON MARTIN This is a black and white image that shows the shells of a series of cars lined up in a large industrial unit. A man in a white coat is looking at the car closest to the camera. People can be seen working on the cars in the background. — The DB4 was one of the models to be produced in Buckinghamshire, shown here in the 1960s

The company consolidated in the town in 1955, moving from sites in West London and Yorkshire.

Famous models including the DB5 and DB6 were manufactured at the factory.

Sunnyside, a brick building the size of two semi-detached homes, was the company's worldwide headquarters until 2007, when manufacturing and head office functions moved to a new base in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The company, which recently warned of further financial losses, now employs about 100 people in Buckinghamshire restoring, servicing and selling cars.

On Saturday, about 150 Aston Martins from around the world were on show at an event to mark 70 years of operations in Newport Pagnell.

Sam Read/BBC An upper body picture of David Alderman who is wearing Aston Martin branded clothing and a peaked cap. He has glasses hanging around his neck. The background is blurred, but two sports cars can be seen behind him. A blue one is on the floor. A silver one is hoisted up above head height. — David Alderman has worked at the Newport Pagnell site for 35 years

David Alderman, a restoration specialist who works on older models, has worked at the Newport Pagnell site since 1990.

He said he had seen "massive change" in his time at the factory but he was "still learning and finding new ways of doing things today".

Relatives in America know the brand well, he said, and he believed working there was a "privilege".

"There is not a massive turnover of people so I've got a lot of good friends here," he added.

Sam Read/BBC Roger James can be seen sitting in the drivers seat of his car, with the front window down. He is looking at the camera and smiling. Part of the car can be seen. It is green and the seats are cream and leather. The passenger seat is empty. — Roger James, from Leicestershire, says he loves Aston Martins because they have "quirks"

Roger James, 60, visited the Newport Pagnell factory in 1999 to view a V8 coupe with his father, John, who later passed the Pentland green car on to him for his 50th birthday.

He said Aston Martin was "the underdog - and that is what everyone loves".

"I wish they still produced cars here," he said, "but they couldn't make enough cars.

"You know all those fantastic ideas that came out [of here]."

Sam Read/BBC A building that looks like a large house can be seen. It is partly red brick and partly painted white with black facias. It has a grey slate roof. In front of the building on a large gravel driveway four Aston Martin sports cars can be seen parked up, pointing towards the camera. In front of them is a black metal fence that you can see through. — A building known as Sunnyside was the global headquarters for Aston Martin from 1955 to 2007

Paul Spires, president of Aston Martin Works, described the site as a "hotbed of artisan skills that date back to the 1800s" and said the company's future in Newport Pagnell was "rock solid".

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