Lot 621: 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, ejector seats and other high tech gadgetry. In evolutionary terms the DB5 is a Series V DB4 but with a 4.0 rather than 3.7 litre engine. It's 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, Aston Martin 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 with 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 with automatic transmission 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. Its production, however, was fairly short-lived, ending in September 1965 after just 1,021 had been made.

Chassis no 1365/R was originally despatched from the Newport Pagnell works on 6th January 1964. The car was sold to Baron Diego von Buch in later years and was subsequently owned by him for over 23 years in total. Coincidentally, Baron Diego Von Buch lived in Chelsea in a house used for many internal shots for a number of the Bond films. Two years later, it was subjected to an extensive mechanical restoration by world-renowned Aston Martin specialist, Richard Williams of Surrey. Included in the paperwork that accompanies this car are bills from RS Williams for over �27,000 as well as invoices for other miscellaneous work carried out throughout the car's life. In extremely good condition throughout, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a recently-restored example of this beloved British thoroughbred.