Lot 150: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Sports

The aim of this unique car’s creator was to produce a ‘one-off’ that looked like the Aston Martin DBR2 works sports racer of 1957/58. The basis for this DBR2 lookalike was a 1965 Aston Martin DB5, chassis number ‘DB5/2082/R’ that had first been registered ‘MTD 149C’. As the ‘new’ car could not be raced against original sports racing cars of the 1950s, it was decided to make a potent but road-usable sports car rather than an out-and-out competition machine, even down to retaining the DB5 heater. Original DB5 mechanical parts were used wherever possible. All the work was carried out to a very high standard by David Royle & Co of Staindrop, County Durham. One of the two existing Aston Martin DBR2s was inspected, photographed and measured by David Royle before the project commenced. The new car has the dimensions and the overall styling of the DBR2 but is not an exact replica. After the original bodywork had been removed, the DB5 chassis was shortened to the wheelbase of the DBR2 and strengthened with square-section steel tubing. Standard front suspension was retained but the rear suspension incorporates DB6 radius arms and adjustable shock absorbers. New springs, of different rating to allow for the car’s reduced weight, were fitted during road testing. The wheels are 15”, 72-spoke wires fitted with Avon Radial 225/70 VR15 tyres. The 4.0-litre engine number ‘400/1298’ was overhauled, a new clutch fitted and the assembly balanced. The engine has been moved back about 16” and lowered about 6”. To achieve adequate ground clearance of 4”, the sump was halved in depth but extended at the front to restore the original oil capacity. Triple SU carburettors were retained and Vantage camshafts fitted. As the ZF five-speed gearbox is likewise further back in the chassis, the prop shaft was shortened and the gearlever cranked forwards. A special stainless-steel exhaust system was designed and fitted so that it exits below the passenger door, as on the DBR2. A silencer is incorporated but the system retains the typical racing Aston sound. The body was built using the Superleggera system of rolled aluminium over steel tubing. Aircraft-industry, anti-corrosion jointing compound was applied to all steel/aluminium joints. Front and rear body sections are easily removable, as is the scuttle area for access to wiring and instruments, while the use of steel tubing plus stronger 18-gauge aluminium has made the body panels quite robust, unlike those of the competition car. Weighing 23cwt, the new car is substantially lighter than the stock DB5 but not as light as the DBR2, which weighs 18cwt. The car was painted British Racing Green using modern two-pack paint. The windscreen and headlight covers are made of Perspex. Five beautifully copied spring loaded clips were handmade to secure the bonnet, boot lid and petrol filler cover. A full-size spare wheel is located in the boot. Although the instruments are all from the DB5, the cockpit does resemble that of the DBR2. The simple interior is trimmed with black leather with green leather seats. The vendor advises us that the combination of a fixed seat and adjustable pedals makes for a very comfortable driving position, though it is advisable to wear goggles because of the low windscreen. The ride is described as firm but not hard, the steering light and well balanced and the double servo disc brakes as superb. The rebuilt car was completed in September 1989 and reregistered ‘DOR 982C’. The resulting is very pleasing, but to avoid the ‘replica’ label, a plaque is fixed to the dashboard stating that it is an ‘Aston Martin DB5 Sports built by David Royle & Co of Staindrop, County Durham.’ The car has been used on the road since then by the vendor and his wife - AMOC members - and has taken part in several Club events. Kept in France for the past four years, it benefits from a cylinder head rebuilt in 2004 to ‘unleaded’ specification by Aston Engineering and is offered with restoration invoices, current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5 registration document.