Unforgettable Car Geniuses: David Brown

The term “bricolage” refers to DIY projects done at home for fun or as a hobby. But when such a passion grows within a family ruled by strict discipline and rigor, with a father who forces you to work in the family business every Sunday and during holidays — even as a teenager — then bricolage can transform into the destiny of a successful life.

Young David Brown, born in 1904 into a wealthy English family that owned a gear manufacturing company, had a passion for automobiles. His father had no interest in cars and didn’t even hold a driver’s license. Luckily, his mother did. But the real stroke of luck was that the company had the technical support of engineer Frederick Tasker Burgess, a designer of race engines like the Bentley 3-litre, who nurtured David’s passion and even taught him to drive.

Sir David Brown fulfilled his dream of producing automobiles to the point of receiving a visit in his factory from Queen Elizabeth II herself.

After completing his technical studies, the very young David began working in the company alongside his father, who imposed strict rules and even sent him to South Africa with one of the senior technicians to resolve issues with a supply shipment. David learned how to lead when he realized that his mentor was more devoted to alcohol than to work. He resolved the issues himself, and upon returning to England, got permission to buy a motorcycle. Taking advantage of his father’s lack of technical knowledge, he bought a powerful American Reading Standard, modified it for racing by lightening the rods and flywheel and increasing the power, and began racing without telling anyone at home. He even won a few races, to the point of being invited to compete in the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man. That was the end of his racing career: his family found out and prohibited him from continuing. David didn’t give up — he was only twenty — and he set out to build a car. He designed and cast the engine block of an eight-cylinder in the family foundry and built the chassis, creating a car. Forced by his relentless father to give up his own engine, he bought one and used the car for his wedding to his first wife, Daisy. Once again, the family opposed him because they disapproved of his choice of bride.

The Aston Martin DB1 is the first road car produced under David Brown’s leadership.

That was enough to make him decide to create his own business as soon as possible. He would go on to found the David Brown Company, which gave him the freedom he longed for. In addition to producing complex mechanical components — including for motorsport — he supplied parts to Aston Martin and Malcolm Campbell for his record-breaking Blue Bird. He also bought spare parts from a racing Vauxhall, modified the chassis, lowered the center of gravity, and enhanced the engine, racing it himself. He was good — he won — but he realized his destiny lay elsewhere. With the approach of World War II came new business opportunities: it was no longer time for bricolage. The production quality was excellent, and by the end of the war, just over forty, David Brown decided to work for his passions. Apart from racehorses, polo, and yachting, his main focus was on cars. He was wealthy enough to purchase Aston Martin, which was in deep crisis with outdated models, and Lagonda, which had the excellent Bentley three-litre engine. It was precisely this engine that would become the centerpiece of his plan to revive high-end British sports car brands.

The DB2 debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 1950 and continued in production until April 1953, by which time 411 had been made.

His passion for racing put endurance events — above all, Le Mans — at the core of the program. He was just as ambitious with road models: after an initial roadster named DB1 and, at the start of the 1950s, the success of the distinctive DB2, Aston Martin became a symbol of British luxury sports cars, especially with the DB5, made famous by Agent 007 — none other than James Bond. However, Aston Martin’s fame primarily came from the sports cars in racing. A smart choice of a legendary technician and racing expert, John Wyer, allowed him to place the most famous British drivers of the time behind the wheel of his Sports cars: Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks, Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori, and Reg Parnell. The golden year was 1959, with victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sports Prototype Championship title.

The 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with the DBR1 placed Aston Martin among the legends of motorsport.

Things were going so well that David even tried his hand at Formula 1. But the timing was off: the beautiful Aston single-seater had a front engine just as mid-rear engine cars were beginning to dominate. He realized he was at the peak and decided to sell the company. One might wonder why David Brown is listed among the great figures of the automobile world when his story is confined to the niche of sports cars. The answer is simple: by following his life, we understand that to become a legend, you need courage, vision, and love for your work. David Brown, by making Aston Martin the aristocratic symbol of the British sports car, combined all three perfectly. A pleasure to have known him.

Daniel Craig and Judi Dench in a scene from Skyfall, a film from the 007 saga. The Aston Martin DB5 became a timeless icon in the hands of James Bond.