Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium
Until June 21, 2026
With the exhibition “Aston Martin – Elegance in Motion,” Autoworld Brussels celebrates a brand renowned for its elegance, sportiness, and refinement through a selection of some fifteen exceptional cars. Aston Martin was born out of the passion of Lionel Martin, who claimed his first victory in 1913 at the Aston Clinton hill climb, a victory that also gave the brand its name. A 1925 Aston Martin “Grand Prix” model illustrates these early years.
In 1947, the struggling company was acquired by David Brown (a manufacturer of farm tractors), and the brand was relaunched, giving rise to the DB line. A DB1 commemorates one of the first postwar victories at the 1948 24 Hours of Spa. The DB line continued with a DB2/4 that once belonged to King Baudouin of Belgium, and the iconic DB Mark 3 (convertible), which featured the grille that has become a hallmark of all Aston Martins to this day. Aston Martin also made a brief appearance in Formula 1 in 1959 with the DBR4.
The DB4, introduced in 1958, was built using Touring’s “Superleggera” technology, and the rare GT version was lighter and slightly more powerful. Zagato produced a small special series of this model, marking the beginning of a long collaboration with Aston Martin. A “recreation” of this DB4 Zagato, created in 2019 to celebrate Zagato’s centennial, is on display in the exhibition. The DB5, driven by James Bond notably in Goldfinger and equipped with numerous gadgets, is one of the most famous “classic” Aston Martins. In 2020, Aston Martin released a small series of 25 faithful reproductions of this DB5 as part of the “Continuation” program, featuring some of the gadgets from the movie car.
In 1987, Zagato teamed up once again with Aston Martin to create a special edition of the V8 Vantage featuring a highly angular body. The Aston Martin One-77 is the brand’s first supercar, unveiled in 2010: a monocoque chassis made entirely of carbon fiber, a hand-crafted aluminum body, and a naturally aspirated 760-horsepower V12 engine. The Victor is a one-off model based on the One-77, paying tribute to Malcolm Victor Gauntlett, who revived the brand in the 1980s and led it until 1991. It incorporates elements of Aston Martin’s 1980s styling.
Another supercar, the DBR22 (2022), limited to 22 units, features a speedster design reminiscent of the Aston Martin DBR1, winner of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Valour celebrates the brand’s 110th anniversary in a spectacular style emblematic of the V8 Vantage models from the 1970s and 1980s. This sports car, featuring a front-mounted V12 engine and a manual transmission, was limited to 110 units. Another rare item worth mentioning is the Aston Martin AMB001, a motorcycle designed in collaboration with Brough Superior, the legendary brand relaunched in Toulouse in 2013.
As always at Autoworld events, the exhibition is complemented by a selection of scale models, offering a different and more detailed perspective on certain models and thereby enriching the overall understanding of the Aston Martin universe.
Cars & Coffee – Sunday, June 14, 2026
To mark this Aston Martin exhibition, Autoworld is hosting a Cars & Coffee – Special British Cars on June 14 on the museum’s esplanade. Owners of classic and modern classic cars (20+ years old), as well as all Aston Martin models, are welcome to bring their cars to this gathering of enthusiasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Although the event is part of the Aston Martin exhibition, all British cars are welcome. Aston Martin and other British brands will be placed ahead. Each registered driver will receive a complimentary coffee and enjoy a discounted rate for admission to the museum and the exhibition. Several food stands will also be available on the terrace.
The public is welcome to admire the cars and enjoy the atmosphere. Access to the esplanade is free for everyone. A major event for lovers of British style, timeless elegance, and iconic design!
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