Last minute glitch delays sale of Aston Martin

A last-minute glitch is holding up the change of ownership of prestige car maker Aston Martin - reports Sky News.

The new British owners of one of the most glorious names in motoring history were expected to be named on Friday.

But talks are now reported to be still ongoing, with no news expected this week.

"It's pretty likely that this deal will go ahead next week and will be around £400m to £500m," an industry source had said.

Ford, the makers of James Bond's favourite cars, is selling the company as part of its cost-cutting programme.

One man named in the bidding is motor sport entrepreneur Dave Richards, who is leading a consortium of private investors.

Mr Richards is the head of performance car specialists Prodrive and helps run Aston Martin's own racing team.

Now based at Gaydon, Warwickshire, Aston Martin has been 100% owned by Ford since the early 1990s.

Aston Martin and James Bond have had a long association.

The first 007 - Sean Connery - drove an Aston Martin DB5 in the 1964 Bond movie Goldfinger.

Astons appeared in other 007 films, including Thunderball, The Living Daylights, Goldeneye and Die Another Day.

The latest Bond - Daniel Craig - drove an Aston Martin DBS in his recent film Casino Royale.

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