Lot 230: Aston Martin DB5

To many observers the Aston Martin DB5 is the epitome of-the company's models during the David Brown era, boasting both beauty and refined high performance. It is also perhaps the best known Aston Martin in the world, having starred in the James Bond films Goldfinger and Thunderball, complete with machine guns and other gadgetry. In evolution terms the DB5 is a Series V DB4 but with a 4.0 rather than 3.7 litre engine, its coachwork embodying detail changes; it thus featured similar stunning styling from Touring of Milan, incorporating DB4 GT-style faired-in headlamps, with aluminium panels attached to a lightweight steel frame using Touring's Superleggera method of construction. Underneath the platform chassis used independent coil spring wishbone front suspension with a live rear axle located by Watt linkage and parallel trailing arms. Disc brakes were fitted all round, but the Girling items of the DB4 GT rather than the DB4's Dunlop discs. The Tadek Marek designed twin overhead camshaft, straight six engine was enlarged to 3,995cc from the DB4's 3,670cc, power rising to 282bhp at 5,500rpm in standard trim; a 314bhp Vantage option, using triple Weber rather than SU carburettors, higher compression ratio and a different camshaft profile, was a rare and desirable option. Initially, the all-alloy engine was mated to a four-speed David Brown gearbox with overdrive but later models featured a five-speed ZF unit; automatic transmission was also offered for the first time. Other changes over the DB4 included an alternator, four exhaust silencers rather than two, electric windows and variable intensity brake lights. Following its launch in July 1963 in saloon and convertible forms the DB5 received much praise, not least for its performance. A maximum of 148mph in standard trim, allied to 0-60 and 0-100mph in 7.1 and 16.9 seconds respectively, made the DB5 one of the fastest cars available and a match for the very best from Europe. The example presented here today was obtained by the vender accidentally. In 2002, he was selling his Jaguar XJS Convertible when he was contacted by a Mr. King. After a number of conversations, it transpired that he wanted to sell his car as well and a deal was struck. It was then passed directly on to SL Restoration. This company is not so much a body shop, but more a church dedicated to the preservation and repair of high quality motorcars and the service of the customers that own them. Their reputation is such that that when the Pope required a new 'Pope Mobile', it was SL Restorations that he called. The restoration process of this Aston Martin took seven years in total and entailed taking the entire car back to its constituent parts, followed by a professional rebuild. It would be no understatement to say that this is quite possibly one of the finest DB5s available on the market today. It is suburb in every respect, and comes complete with a photographic rebuild and bills far exceeding £100,000. An utterly superb example of this beloved British classic. Not to be missed.