An iconic car linked with Huddersfield industrialist Sir David Brown is in the spotlight today.

The famous Aston Martin DB5 is included in a new set of stamps marking Britain’s automotive history.

The Aston Martin company was owned by Sir David who, of course, owned the giant tractor plant in Meltham and the David Brown engineering firm in Lockwood.

Royal Mail today issues its ‘British Auto Legends’ special stamps celebrating some of the most stylish and ‘cool’ British motor vehicles that are revered throughout the world.

The six-stamp set features the ‘Thoroughbreds,’ some of which feature in experts’ lists of the greatest cars of all time – the Jaguar E-Type, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Aston Martin DB5, MG MGB, Morgan Plus 8 and the Lotus Esprit.

Superb examples of the six thoroughbreds were located in virtually factory fresh conditions, and all were photographed by the expert car photographer James Mann, involving specialist lighting set up to capture the classic lines of the vehicles.

The ‘Thoroughbreds’ are complemented by a four-stamp mini-sheet featuring the classic and iconic ‘Workhorses’ – the Morris Minor Van (in Royal Mail livery), Austin FX4 black taxi cab, Ford Anglia 105E and Land Rover Defender 110.

This year sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Henry Royce, motoring and aviation pioneer who founded Rolls-Royce with Charles Rolls. It is also the centenary of the founding of Aston Martin.

Royal Mail photo of its new British Auto Legends 'Thoroughbreds' stamps set which go on sale today, to celebrate the best in British car manufacturing
Royal Mail photo of its new British Auto Legends 'Thoroughbreds' stamps set which go on sale today, to celebrate the best in British car manufacturing

Andrew Hammond, director of stamps and collectibles, Royal Mail, said: “This is a fantastic set of stamps that feature a collection of the very best in British motor car manufacturing in the 1960s and 70s.

“These cars are classic in every sense; and we are delighted to be bringing a reminder of these iconic motor cars to the nation’s doorsteps through this latest stamp issue.”

It is not the first Huddersfield link to stamps issued recently.

Cyclist Ed Clancy, a former Holme Valley Wheeler, was honoured with a special stamp to mark his Olympics gold medal last August.

And former Town star Denis Law was included in a set of stamps (right) to mark footballing greats earlier this year.