DB7

By the early 1990s it was obvious Aston Martin would need to increase production in order to survive. Victor Gauntlett suggested that a new, smaller Aston Martin should be built alongside the big V8 Astons, a car that could be sold in all markets and that would be less expensive.

The advent of the Ford Motor Company and the appointment of the late Walter Hayes as Chief Executive of Aston Martin not only provided new funding, but brought with it access to some of the best vehicle engineering facilities in the world.

DB7 Revealed

The new design, code named NPX, was styled by Ian Callum and engineered in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaws TWR group. Aston Martin revealed the DB7 at the Geneva Motorshow in 1993, with production starting in 1994 at a new factory in Bloxham, near Banbury in Oxfordshire.

The new TWR built engine was a light alloy, twin overhead camshaft, supercharged straight six of 3,228cc . Featuring 32 valves, Zytec electronic multi-point fuel injection and a water cooled Eaton, 'Rootes' type, supercharger which was driven by a toothed belt from the camshaft.

Although it didn’t appear for almost 3 years after the DB7’s unveiling, Aston Martin had every intention of creating a convertible version. In 1996, the Volante made its debut at the Los Angeles and Detroit motor show and the two models sold alongside each other until being replaced by the DB7 Vantage in 1999.

Specifications

Engine:: Straight 6, 3228 cc, 355 bhp @ 5500 rpm
368 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission:: 5-speed gearbox or 4-speed automatic
Dimensions (LxWxH):: 4631 x 1820 x 1268 mm
Weight:: 1725 kg
Top Speed:: 165 mph
0 – 60 mph:: 5.8 sec

DB7 GT race car

A joint project between Aston Martin and Prodrive, just two examples of the DB7 ‘GT’ race car were produced to explore the possibility of a one make race series.

One car was built by Prodrive (red nose band) and the second car (with a yellow nose) was built at Aston Martin. Despite having stripped interiors and equipment both cars were trimmed in quilted leather as they were intended to be a ‘gentleman’s racer’