Lot Number 160
Registration BDX 255B
Chassis Number D351430R
Engine Number 400/1408
Odometer reading 53,824 miles
Estimate £550,000 - £600,000
Matching numbers
Fitted with Power Steering
Only three previous keepers
There was a certain innocence to product placement in the early sixties. Incorporating a brand or product into a movie probably just seemed like a good idea at the time. Eon Productions - having been spurned by Jaguar - turned their attentions to Aston Martin to provide the 'daily driver' for MI6 agent, James Bond... the rest is more than just history. 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. 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 manufactured.
Originally registered on 6th February 1964 this stunning Aston Martin DB5 is finished in Silver Birch with black leather interior. Having had only three former keepers, this example has been well cared for by the highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic vendor. Some sympathetic upgrades have been added to enhance the car, this includes the fitment of power steering, Sat-Nav and Bluetooth, 6” chrome wire wheels with 205/70VR15 tyres.
The carburettors have recently been professionally tuned by the Aston Martin Workshop in Newport Pagnell. Described by the vendor as driving with no known faults, this DB5 is a matching numbers example and presents in very good order throughout. Supplied with a V5C registration document and a current MoT test certificate together with a good history folder; synonymous with the 60’s and James Bond, this delightful Aston Martin DB5 certainly drives with alacrity.
Auction date: September 22nd 2018 - Brooklands Motor Museum
