WE COMBINE AN ENTHUSIASTIC WEALTH OF ASTON MARTIN KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION
Desmond first worked on Aston Martin cars as an apprentice for the late Peter Austin-Smith in 1976. He fell in love with the brand, and used to watch the cars from the nearby original Newport Pagnell factory driving through his home town, and his lifelong passion began.
Desmond J Smail Limited has now been in operation for almost 40 years, with two workshops and two showrooms in and around the town of Olney, Bucks. In 2004 sister companies Aston Service London, specialising in the servicing of modern era Aston Martin, and Aston Sales Kensington, sellling a range of modern era and classic Aston Martin, were born and are currently based in London.
We stock a range of models from the late 50's to the modern day, and if we don't have a particular model in stock that you are looking for we can help to source the right one for you.
We also offer a pre-purchase inspection on a car you have sourced, and with two showrooms we can also help with marketing and selling your Aston Martin.
Whether your car is with us briefly for a service, or longer for a part or full restoration, we treat your Aston Martin very much as an individual. We offer bespoke and tailored service and maintenance programmes, dependant on your car's age, mileage and your individual usage.
With close relationships with other industry known specialists we can off a full turnkey service to your Aston Martin, regardless of age or current condition. Our passion is to see you enjoy your Aston Martin as much as possible and retain or enhance its market value.
The team have a wealth of Aston Martin and classic car experience, and bring with them an enthusiastic approach to the brand, and the determination to make sure you are enjoying your Aston Martin and that it becomes part of the Desmond J Smail family.
Our fifteen strong team can help you with any aspect of your Aston Martin needs, from helping to source parts for your own restoration or repair, providing full service programmes suited to your particular car, advising on storage and winter preparation options, carrying out a complete restoration from a bare shell to a fully restored car or providing you with sales advice or sourcing your perfect car.
If you are interested in joining the team please send a copy of your C.V. to hr@djsmail.co.uk with details of the type of role you would be interested in.
Known affectionately as ‘Mr Aston Martin’ Desmond is one of the most renowned characters in the Aston Martin world, having first worked on the brand in 1976 as an apprentice mechanic. After cutting his teeth with Aston Martin specialist Peter Austen Smith, Desmond branched out with his own business, Desmond J Smail Ltd, in the 1980’s. Aston Sales Kensington followed with his partnership with well-respected Aston Martin sales specialist Alan Baker in 2005 and with the acquisition of Ian Mason Aston Martin Services in 2008 Aston Service London was formed.
Growing up in Olney in the local family car business Jonathan worked in a variety of roles whilst sharing the family passion for vintage and classic cars. He left the family firm to gain experience in Sales Management and worked for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Land Rover, before joining the company in 2014.
With 27 years at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell site to his name, Mark has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the classic and modern era models. Joining the company in 2010 he has continued to grow his knowledge and is an expert at tracking down obsolete parts and supporting other industry specialists with difficult to find items.
Darren joined the team in October 2021, bringing with him over 20 years experience in the industry. His operational management skills come to the fore running the workshop team, managing logistics for customer cars and dealing with the day to day running of the Service and Restoration department. He has had a passion for the brand from an early age, when his parents owned Aston Martins and ran the local area Aston Martin Owners Club.
“I have been using Desmond J Smail Ltd since 1999 when I purchased my first Aston Martin and am happy to recommend them without reservation. There is a great wealth of experience in the organisation and the principal is one of the leading and most respected figures in the Aston Martin world. The company's philosophy is to build strong client relationships for the longterm and that is reflected in their loyal and extensive client base.”
