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, Kennsington, 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; a second car wasn't built until 1920. Thank goodness they build them a little faster now.

The car pictured on this page is one of two Grand Prix Team cars (TT1 and TT2) built for Count Zborowski to compete in the 1922 Isle of Man TT (although they were not ready in time) and subsequently, the  French GP in Strasbourg. It is the oldest surviving racing Aston Martin and thankfully is still actively used on the track to this day.  Originally featuring a engine with twin camshafts and 16 valves, the car is now fitted with the Benson Twin Cam engine. This was designed by The Hon. John Benson as a new power unit for the cars just before Bamford and Martin called in the receivers in 1925.

This famous car has for many years now been affectionately known as Green Pea.

This set of photographs above show the very last team car built under Lionel Martin; a two seater with a 16 valve twin can engine, built for Humphrey Cook for the 200 mile JCC race at Brooklands in 1925. Sadly it crashed on the first lap although it races regularly now.

Lionel Martin probably concentrated too much effort on racing and not sufficient on the production of Aston Martins. A total of perhaps only 61 cars were built during this era, insufficient to save the company until the receiver came in 1925 and the demise of Aston Martin looked certain; the first of many such occasions.