ASTON MARTIN DB7 (1994-2004)
After Ford saved Aston Martin from bankruptcy, it was decided that the company needed a new model that would sell in higher volume, maximising profit. The DB7 was originally Tom Walkinshaw’s proposed Jaguar XJ-S successor, subsequently restyled by Ian Callum to remarkable effect. The curvaceous coupe clearly had Jaguar DNA, but the profile, Aston Martin nose and side gills gave the DB7 a striking look of its own, despite borrowing Mazda 323 rear lights. Indeed, the whole car was something of a parts bin, using Mazda handles, Ford switchgear and a supercharged 3.2-litre Jaguar engine. However, the exotic styling and Aston badge were hard to ignore, despite the £78,000 price tag that was £15,000 more than a Porsche 911. The later Volante convertible and Vantage V12…