Lot 635: 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 gadgetry. In evolutionary 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. Its production, however, was fairly short-lived, ending in September 1965 after 1,021 had been made; of these only 123 were Convertibles while just 65 had the Vantage engine. First registered in 1965, DB5/2225/R is described by its current owner as being in good condition throughout. Records dating back from 1968 onwards show work carried out by well known Aston Martin specialists and include photographic evidence of the car's restoration in the early 1980s. Having had only five registered owners and complete with reproduction handbook, V5 registration document, MoT test certificate, road fund licence and numerous documents detailing GBW652C's history, this is a highly attractive and hugely desirable example of one of the most collectible of Aston Martins ever produced.