Aston Martin
"A3" (oldest surviving Aston Martin)

Why it matters

A3 is the Bamford & Martin prototype held by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. The Trust describes it as the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world and the starting point of its vehicle collection, and sponsors can adopt it as 'The Oldest One'.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

A3 was the third car built by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford and takes its name from its Type A engine and chassis number 3. In 1921 it took several light-car speed records at Brooklands, including 100 miles at an average of 86.2 mph, shortly after it was built and briefly fitted with a streamlined long-tailed body.

It was sold in 1923 and passed through several owners, being rebodied and altered over the years until its identity was lost. A sharp-eyed expert at Bonhams recognised the A3 marking on the chassis in 2002. The Aston Martin Heritage Trust raised the money to buy it in 2003, and it was restored towards its original specification and later made fully reliable by Ecurie Bertelli.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The chassis carries the 'A3' marking, which is how the car was identified in 2002 after decades of altered appearances. In period the factory renumbered the chassis 1918 and re-registered the car from AM 270 to XN 2902, so those numbers are part of its documented history. The restored car runs a sidevalve monobloc four-cylinder engine with an SU 'sloper' carburettor, a reversed-gate gearbox with no synchromesh, and no front brakes, as built.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Aston Martin Heritage Trust – Bamford & Martin Prototype – A3 Level B

   • 1 individual car: Bamford & Martin prototype A3 (identity confirmed by its owner, the AMHT)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
2. 2
   Cars - Aston Martin Heritage Trust collection Level B Aston Martin Heritage Trust

   • A3 - the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Driving the world's oldest Aston Martin at Brooklands Level C Magneto magazine (issue 11, Autumn 2021)

   • sidevalve, monobloc, four-cylinder engine
   • four-cylinder engine
   • engine of 1487cc
   • brass SU 'sloper' carburettor
   • maybe 38bhp
   • proper vintage sliding pinions
   • does without front brakes

   Accessed 2026-11-12