Glossary

Glossary of Aston Martin Terms

If you’re new the the fascinating world of Aston Martins, this this glossary may help you. Words like ‘superleggera’ ‘kamm tail’ and ‘cosmetic’ often cause confusion so this section is here to demystify things a little. I have tried to include as many specialised Aston Martin related words as possible plus some others which have caused confusion to visitors in the past. Please do not hesitate to E-mail me if you would like any others words to appear.

'B' is for ...
House of Bijan

The House Of Bijan is an exclusive designer brand with shops located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria and one at the Wynn Las Vegas. Opened in 1976 by the late Bijan Pakzad it is now run by his son, Nicolas Bijan.  In 2019, House of Bijan collaborated with Aston Martin on a special edition DBS Superleggera first shown during Monterey Car Week.

BRDC

British Racing Drivers Club

Enrico Bertelli

Enrico (Harry) Bertelli was the brother of Bert Bertelli,  who set up his coach building business next door to the Aston Martin factory in Feltham during the 1930’s. Most Aston Martins of this period received coachwork by Bertelli.

Berlinetta

A body style usually a sporty 2 seater or 2+2 seater coupe, although the literal translation from the Italian is ‘little saloon’. A great example of the berlinetta coachwork on an Aston Martin is the DB2/4 Berlinetta by Bertone.

Barchetta

A style of coachwork, usually a small open 2 seater sports car with minimal adornments. Barchetta is Italian for ‘little boat’. Some Aston Martins are described as ‘Barchetta’, although non fits the term better than the DB2/4 Spider by Bertone

The Barn

The current headquarters of both the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club in Drayton St Leonards, Oxfordshire

Bang & Olufsen (B&O)

A Danish manufacturer of high end audio products. Has had a relationship with Aston Martin since 2008 when a BeoSound system was offered as standard equipment in the DBS.

Brooklands

An important pre WW1 motor racing circuit, built in 1907 and used until the start of WW2. Lionel Martin was very keen for his early cars such as Razor Blade, A3 and Bunny

Borg-Warner

The company that supplied automatic gearboxes for Aston Martin, beginning with a small number of DB Mark III’s and DB4 and DDB5’s and rather more DB6 and DBS cars

BBS

BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik are a German wheel manufacturer started in 1970. Supplier of wheels for the V8 range from the mid to late 1980’s. The initials BBS are based on the last names of the two founders and the city in which the company was founded (Baumgartner, Brand, Schiltach).