In February 1972 Willson, "an ebullient entrepreneur"[2] along with other investors paid £101[3] to buy Aston Martin's business, then reputed to be losing more than £1 million a year, from David Brown Limited which was experiencing its own financial troubles.
The reason for cash flow difficulties was given as California's stringent exhaust emission tests halting Aston Martin's US sales.
Mr Robert Maxwell, again contesting (unsuccessfully) the local seat in Parliament, was reported driving a newly acquired Aston Martin.
The same front-page report noted directors had requested the appointment of a receiver and Aston Martin would cease production and go into voluntary liquidation.
[8][9] The receiver sold the business as a going concern in March 1975 for about £1,050,000 to a consortium led by Californian Peter Sprague (chairman of National Semiconductor) with Canadian George Minden and Jeremy Turner a London businessman.