David Brown acquired Aston Martin in 1947. His company, David Brown Limited, bought the struggling British sports-car manufacturer and placed it under the control of its Tractor Group.
Brown was a Huddersfield-based industrialist whose business made gears and machine tools. The acquisition gave Aston Martin new financial backing and began the period associated with the company’s famous “DB” model names. Brown also acquired Lagonda soon afterward, bringing its engineering resources and W. O. Bentley-designed technology into the Aston Martin story.
The first major Aston Martin model developed during the Brown era was the DB2, announced in 1950. It was followed by the DB2/4, DB Mark III, DB4, DB5 and later DB6. The “DB” initials therefore refer to David Brown, not to a technical specification or engine type.
A common mix-up is placing the acquisition in 1939, 1945 or 1950. Brown’s purchase occurred in 1947; 1950 marks the announcement of the DB2, an important later milestone in his ownership.