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The Aston Martin Atom is the link between the pre and post war era's of Aston Martin. A prototype, constructed in 1939, featured a space-frame superstructure of square section tubes with
aluminium body panels attached to body tubes which were an integral part of the body. Designed by Claude Hill, it started life with a 15/98 engine which was replaced by Hill's new 2 litre in 1944. After driving this car, David Brown bought the company.
Although visually unlike and previous or future Aston Martin, the Claude Hill
designed chassis was very much the basis for the post war cars starting with the
2 litre sports right up to the DB mark III in 1957. |
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The Atom had a very active life of development during the war years and must have
appeared quite modern for it's day. After being exhibited in French motor museums,
including the famous museum at the Le Mans circuit, it was
returned to the UK in 1985, reappearing at many AMOC events after a 10 year rebuild.
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The grille on the Atom, if one can call it that may, perhaps, be interpreted as
the earliest expression of the distinctive shape we know so well today. To be
honest, I'm not so sure, but the shape has a passing similarity. |
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