Aston Martin is a name which would now only be remembered by motoring historians and enthusiastic anoraks had it not been for the intervention of the Ford Motor Company, a benevolent provider of mainly ordinary machinery to the masses, but a company that has always given free rein to the dreamers in its ranks.

Ford bought the Newport Pagnell company because it had the skills to turn out great sporting cars, using traditional methods, and sought after by the rich and famous.

With the reawakening of demand for luxury sports cars, it quickly turned into a viable project.

In March 1996, the V8 Coupe was paraded before bulging Swiss wallets at the Geneva Motor Show. It uses a 5.3 litre, V8-engine developing 350 bhp capable of hitting 60 mph in under six seconds, takes 15 weeks to complete and is subjected to a massive 438 quality checks. Hence part of the explanation for its #140,000 price tag.

But the new convertible launched at the same time, the DB7 Volante, turned out to be the real money spinner.

Using the classic sports car drive train of front engine and rear drive, the DB7 is fitted with a supercharged six-cylinder 24-valve engine to produce a top speed in excess of 160mph and costs #89,950, almost bargain basement by Aston standards.

Over 200 DB7s went west to North America last year as the company's total output topped 800 cars, the highest production figure in its 85-year history. The convertible version of the DB7 is like the coupe in all important areas, but it comes with an electrically-operated hood, Connolly leather and burr walnut fascia. It also has the classically simple styling that guarantees it can be sold in its present form for years before it looks dated.