Aston Martin Owners Club
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC, pronounced am-moc) is one of the oldest one-make car enthusiast clubs
, one of the largest with worldwide membership and one of the leaders.
It was the late Mortimer Morris-Goodall, ‘Mort’ to many friends, who started it all. Having been fired with enthusiasm by winning an automobile race at age twenty and by his first meeting with ‘Bert’ Bertelli shortly after, his success led to the purchase of the team car LM7 and an invitation to drive “under works control’’ at Le Mans
in 1933. His reverence for “Bert and his Astons” prompted the thought that almost everyone else who had the good fortune or sense to own an Aston felt the same and “how nice it would be to meet some of these people.
S. C. H. "Sammy" Davis agreed that an Aston Martin Owners Club would be a good idea and inserted a note in The Autocar (of which he was Sports Editor) of 3 and 17 May 1935, calling a meeting. The 20 or 30 people who turned up on 25 May also agreed and elected a committee which included Lance Prideaux-Brune, Dick Anthony, Maurice Falkner, Harold Bevan, Miss Dorothy Bean and Peter Cadbury.
Charles Jarrott was persuaded to become the President and Sammy Davis the Vice-President, with Leslie Keevil as Honorary Treasurer and Mort Goodall as Honorary Secretary. The Club’s activities, mostly social, including an annual dinner-dance at the Park Lane Hotel
, were brought to a close by the Second World War.
The process started again at a meeting led by Dick Stallebrass at the R.A.C. on 5 March 1948. However, following his death at Spa only four months later, Dudley Coram started to play a leading role in the re-formed Club, with Eric Cutler as Chairman. At one time or another, Coram served in every capacity in the Club before he died in 1976.
Although the pre-war archives have been lost, the present rules are believed to enshrine the same principles as those drafted in 1935. Our Memorandum of Association provides, inter alia, that the Club is established to “promote the sport and pastime of motoring’’, “develop interest in the ASTON MARTIN CAR’’ and “encourage social intercourse between Members’’. The Club, in the UK, puts on some five race meetings a year, at least one hillclimb and three sprints. Worldwide, the Club is represented on most continents, with thriving sections in Germany
, Holland, Switzerland
and the USA. Other countries have a smaller representation which are no less enthusiastic. These groups also entertain their fellow Members with various events.
[1995 saw the Club celebrate its Diamond Jubilee
. The traditional annual events all took on a Jubilee focus and were supplemented by other special attractions, both local and national as well as international, some 30 in all. The year kicked off with the Grand Jubilee Ball at the Dorchester Hotel
, London
, The party-goers enjoyed the spectacle of a grand display of Aston Martin cars. They were welcomed by an Aston Martin DB7
exhibited outside the Ballroom. Inside, cars with chassis numbers 1914; 1925; D5/569/S; C7/719/U; LML/50/396 and DB5/2261/R were all arranged on specially constructed stands.
A silver Diamond Jubilee Virage Volante made a fitting ‘display case’ for a million dollars worth of Cartier jewellery! The AGM saw our President, Lord Downe, receive the Club’s premier award, the Bertelli Trophy. Another highlight, was the Founders Day Dinner at the Grafton Hotel where, on the 25th May 1935, the Club was formed. With a limitation on space, it is not possible to detail all the other events however, the special displays at the St. John Horsfall and the Historic Weekend at Silverstone
were remarkable.
‘The Family’ as the late Viscount Downe
worded his toast to the Club’s sixtieth year, has continued to meet at the Club’s social and competitive events and stay in touch through its publications, AM Quarterly and the News Sheet which have carried reports of the many Club events around the world as have the publications that originate in other parts of the world.
Every four years, a Register of Members’ Cars is published and has become the ‘standard work’ on the Marque. The Aston Martin Heritage Trust, now has the responsibility for publishing this work.
Enthusiasm coupled with the right people continues to ensure that the Club thrives, just as the same combination has enabled our marque to survive from the early days of the motor car. The fingers of only one hand are enough on which to count Aston Martin’s Brooklands contemporaries in the 1920s that remain in production!
May 23, 1997, was a ‘red letter’ day for the Club with the unveiling by Lady Paula Brown and John Martin of the Cairn, erected in memory of Lionel Martin, at the top of Aston Hill in Buckinghamshire
. The inspiration of the Club’s Chairman, Ian MacGregor
, this memorial was designed by Member John Evans and constructed on Forestry Commission land with support from the Club and AML Ltd.
The Club found that it was outgrowing its headquarters at Sutton-in-the-Isle
, so a search was set in motion during 1997 to look for new premises. After a number of false starts, a magnificent 600 year old grange barn near Oxford
was discovered and purchased in January 1998. The first stage of the work to refurbish the barn started in earnest during 1999 and was completed in 2001 with the Club moving in the same year.
The year 2000 saw the Club put on every sort of entertainment for its members including the postponed 1999 50th St. John Horsfall race meeting at Silverstone
.
In March 2002, the Club received the sad news that, Viscount Downe
, President since 1980, had died, but our spirits were restored in some small degree when Diana, the Viscountess Downe, agreed to be our new President.
April 2002 saw the ‘official opening’ of the new headquarters at Drayton St. Leonard
in Oxfordshire
. Prince Michael of Kent
had graciously agreed to perform the opening but, sadly, the death of the Queen Mother intervened, preventing His Royal Highness from attending. However, our new President, Diana, the Viscountess Downe, performed the opening ceremony on behalf of His Royal Highness.
The Club maintains strong links to Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., each supporting the other in various enterprises.
activities from all round the world. It is published four times a year.
Car club
A car club or automotive enthusiast community is a group of people who share a common interest in motor vehicles. Car clubs are typically organized by enthusiasts around type of vehicle , brand , or similar interest...
, one of the largest with worldwide membership and one of the leaders.
It was the late Mortimer Morris-Goodall, ‘Mort’ to many friends, who started it all. Having been fired with enthusiasm by winning an automobile race at age twenty and by his first meeting with ‘Bert’ Bertelli shortly after, his success led to the purchase of the team car LM7 and an invitation to drive “under works control’’ at Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
in 1933. His reverence for “Bert and his Astons” prompted the thought that almost everyone else who had the good fortune or sense to own an Aston felt the same and “how nice it would be to meet some of these people.
S. C. H. "Sammy" Davis agreed that an Aston Martin Owners Club would be a good idea and inserted a note in The Autocar (of which he was Sports Editor) of 3 and 17 May 1935, calling a meeting. The 20 or 30 people who turned up on 25 May also agreed and elected a committee which included Lance Prideaux-Brune, Dick Anthony, Maurice Falkner, Harold Bevan, Miss Dorothy Bean and Peter Cadbury.
Charles Jarrott was persuaded to become the President and Sammy Davis the Vice-President, with Leslie Keevil as Honorary Treasurer and Mort Goodall as Honorary Secretary. The Club’s activities, mostly social, including an annual dinner-dance at the Park Lane Hotel
Park Lane Hotel
The Park Lane Hotel is a 5 Star hotel on Piccadilly, London.The hotel was built in the 1920s in the Grand Art Deco Style by Sir Bracewell Smith. The building is a fine example with a mansard roof and Portland stone facade...
, were brought to a close by the Second World War.
The process started again at a meeting led by Dick Stallebrass at the R.A.C. on 5 March 1948. However, following his death at Spa only four months later, Dudley Coram started to play a leading role in the re-formed Club, with Eric Cutler as Chairman. At one time or another, Coram served in every capacity in the Club before he died in 1976.
Although the pre-war archives have been lost, the present rules are believed to enshrine the same principles as those drafted in 1935. Our Memorandum of Association provides, inter alia, that the Club is established to “promote the sport and pastime of motoring’’, “develop interest in the ASTON MARTIN CAR’’ and “encourage social intercourse between Members’’. The Club, in the UK, puts on some five race meetings a year, at least one hillclimb and three sprints. Worldwide, the Club is represented on most continents, with thriving sections in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Holland, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and the USA. Other countries have a smaller representation which are no less enthusiastic. These groups also entertain their fellow Members with various events.
[1995 saw the Club celebrate its Diamond Jubilee
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
. The traditional annual events all took on a Jubilee focus and were supplemented by other special attractions, both local and national as well as international, some 30 in all. The year kicked off with the Grand Jubilee Ball at the Dorchester Hotel
Dorchester Hotel
The Dorchester is a luxury hotel in London, opened on 18 April 1931. It is situated on Park Lane in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park.The Dorchester was created by the famous builder Sir Robert McAlpine and the managing director of Gordon Hotels Ltd, Sir Frances Towle, who shared a vision of creating...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, The party-goers enjoyed the spectacle of a grand display of Aston Martin cars. They were welcomed by an Aston Martin DB7
Aston Martin DB7
The Aston Martin DB7 is a grand tourer which was produced by Aston Martin from September 1994 to December 2004. The grand tourer was available either as a coupé or a convertible. The prototype was complete by November 1992, and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1993, the car was styled by...
exhibited outside the Ballroom. Inside, cars with chassis numbers 1914; 1925; D5/569/S; C7/719/U; LML/50/396 and DB5/2261/R were all arranged on specially constructed stands.
A silver Diamond Jubilee Virage Volante made a fitting ‘display case’ for a million dollars worth of Cartier jewellery! The AGM saw our President, Lord Downe, receive the Club’s premier award, the Bertelli Trophy. Another highlight, was the Founders Day Dinner at the Grafton Hotel where, on the 25th May 1935, the Club was formed. With a limitation on space, it is not possible to detail all the other events however, the special displays at the St. John Horsfall and the Historic Weekend at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
were remarkable.
‘The Family’ as the late Viscount Downe
Viscount Downe
Viscount Downe is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1675 for William Ducie. However, the title became extinct on his death in 1679. The second creation came in 1680 for John Dawnay. He had earlier represented Yorkshire and Pontefract in the...
worded his toast to the Club’s sixtieth year, has continued to meet at the Club’s social and competitive events and stay in touch through its publications, AM Quarterly and the News Sheet which have carried reports of the many Club events around the world as have the publications that originate in other parts of the world.
Every four years, a Register of Members’ Cars is published and has become the ‘standard work’ on the Marque. The Aston Martin Heritage Trust, now has the responsibility for publishing this work.
Enthusiasm coupled with the right people continues to ensure that the Club thrives, just as the same combination has enabled our marque to survive from the early days of the motor car. The fingers of only one hand are enough on which to count Aston Martin’s Brooklands contemporaries in the 1920s that remain in production!
May 23, 1997, was a ‘red letter’ day for the Club with the unveiling by Lady Paula Brown and John Martin of the Cairn, erected in memory of Lionel Martin, at the top of Aston Hill in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
. The inspiration of the Club’s Chairman, Ian MacGregor
Ian Macgregor
Ian Macgregor is a British investment executive and chartered accountant. He is the former chief investment officer of The Wellcome Trust, oversaw growth of nearly £1bn per annum over fifteen years, making The Wellcome Trust the world's largest foundation...
, this memorial was designed by Member John Evans and constructed on Forestry Commission land with support from the Club and AML Ltd.
The Club found that it was outgrowing its headquarters at Sutton-in-the-Isle
Sutton-in-the-Isle
Sutton-in-the-Isle, commonly referred to simply as Sutton, is a parish and village in the county of Cambridgeshire in England, near the city of Ely. The "in-the-Isle" suffix refers to the fact that the village is part of the Isle of Ely, once an island in The Fens and also an administrative county...
, so a search was set in motion during 1997 to look for new premises. After a number of false starts, a magnificent 600 year old grange barn near Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
was discovered and purchased in January 1998. The first stage of the work to refurbish the barn started in earnest during 1999 and was completed in 2001 with the Club moving in the same year.
The year 2000 saw the Club put on every sort of entertainment for its members including the postponed 1999 50th St. John Horsfall race meeting at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
.
In March 2002, the Club received the sad news that, Viscount Downe
Viscount Downe
Viscount Downe is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1675 for William Ducie. However, the title became extinct on his death in 1679. The second creation came in 1680 for John Dawnay. He had earlier represented Yorkshire and Pontefract in the...
, President since 1980, had died, but our spirits were restored in some small degree when Diana, the Viscountess Downe, agreed to be our new President.
April 2002 saw the ‘official opening’ of the new headquarters at Drayton St. Leonard
Drayton St. Leonard
Drayton St. Leonard is a village and civil parish on the River Thame in Oxfordshire, about southeast of Oxford.-Manor:The Domesday Book of 1086 does not list Drayton separately. At that time the land was part of the Bishop of Lincoln's estate of Dorchester. The village developed as a subsidiary of...
in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
. Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside...
had graciously agreed to perform the opening but, sadly, the death of the Queen Mother intervened, preventing His Royal Highness from attending. However, our new President, Diana, the Viscountess Downe, performed the opening ceremony on behalf of His Royal Highness.
The Club maintains strong links to Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., each supporting the other in various enterprises.
Publication
AM Quarterly is the official magazine of the Aston Martin Owners Club and contains technical articles, historical items, factory news and reports of AMOCAMOC
AMOC has several meanings:*amoc - Inari Sami rapper.*Aston Martin Owners Club - car club.*Atlantic meridional overturning circulation*Air and Marine Operations Center - a division within the United States Customs and Border Patrol....
activities from all round the world. It is published four times a year.