Lot 222: Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon

Like all classic GT cars, it combines enormous speed with comfort and the more you put into your driving, the more the car returns for your entertainment. And the DB5 really is entertaining to anyone who can exploit its outstanding performance, handling and brakes. It will also carry four people (just) and a fair amount of luggage so the merits of family transport (if need be) have not been entirely sacrificed to speed and elegant looks.'  Motor. Arguably the best known of all Aston Martins, thanks to starring roles in the James Bond films Goldfinger and Thunderball, the DB5 was an evolutionary development of the DB4 that had represented such a giant step forward for the company on its arrival in 1958. Classically proportioned, the DB4's Touring-designed body established an instantly recognisable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970. The engine was still an all-alloy twin-overhead-camshaft six, but the old W O Bentley-designed 3.0-litre unit had been superseded by a new design by Tadek Marek. Proven in racing before it entered production in the DB4, the new 3,670cc engine featured 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 92mm and developed its maximum output of 240bhp at 5,500rpm. The David Brown gearbox was a new four-speed all-synchromesh unit. Touring's Superleggera body construction, which employed a lightweight tubular structure to support the aluminium-alloy body panels, was deemed incompatible with the DB2/4-type multi-tubular spaceframe, so engineer Harold Beach drew up an immensely-strong platform-type chassis. Independent front suspension was retained, the DB2/4's trailing links giving way to unequal-length wishbones, while at the rear the DB4 sported a live axle located by a Watts linkage instead of its predecessor's Panhard rod. Five series were built as the model gradually metamorphosed into the DB5 of 1963. The latter's distinctive cowled headlamps had first appeared on the DB4GT and the newcomer was the same size as the lengthened Series 5 DB4. The major change was the adoption of a 4.0-litre version of the (previously) 3.7-litre six-cylinder engine, this enlarged unit having been seen first in the Lagonda Rapide of 1961. Equipped with three SU carburettors, the '400' engine produced 282bhp at 5,500rpm and was mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, a 'proper' ZF five-speed unit being standardised later, with automatic transmission an option. Outwardly there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the final Series 5 DB4 apart from twin fuel filler caps, though these had already appeared on some cars. Beneath the skin however, there were numerous improvements including alternator electrics, Girling disc brakes instead of Dunlops, Sundym glass, electric windows and an oil pressure gauge as standard equipment. From September 1964 the 314bhp, triple-Weber Vantage engine became available and was fitted to 95 cars out of the total of 1,021 DB5s manufactured up to September 1965. Capable of reaching the 'ton' in under 17 seconds on its way to a top speed of 148mph, the DB5 was one of the fastest production cars of its day and a match for Europe's best. Despatched from the Newport Pagnell factory on 6th January 1964, chassis number '1365/R' was owned by Baron Diego Von Buch between 1987 and 2002, when it was acquired by the current vendor. While in the present ownership the Aston's engine has been rebuilt by world-famous marque specialists, R S Williams Ltd. Accompanying bills for the rebuild total �27,000 and there are other invoices on file for work undertaken throughout the car's life, including a recent interior re-trim. A desirable five-speed manual transmission model, '1365/R' is finished in blue metallic with beige leather upholstery and is described as in generally very good condition. Offered with fresh MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5, it represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a fine example of this much-loved British thoroughbred benefiting from considerable recent expenditure.