Aston Martin DB5 (1964)

'Racing has played a major part in the development of all Aston Martin engines since Frank Halford designed the original 1.5-litre unit for Bamford & Martin. The 3,995cc 6-cylinder light alloy engine fitted to the DB5 is in all major respects the same as that which powered the 4-litre prototype which ran in the 1962 and 1963 Le Mans 24-Hour races.' – Autocar, 21st May 1965.

Aston Martin's post-war evolution took a giant step forward with the launch of the DB4 in 1958. Classically proportioned, the Touring Supperleggera-designed bodywork established an instantly recognisable and elegant appearance that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970. The engine was an all-alloy, twin-overhead-camshaft, six but the old W O Bentley supervised 3.0-litre unit had been superseded by a new design by Tadek Marek. The new 3,670cc engine featured 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 92mm, and developed its maximum power of 240bhp at 5,500rpm. The David Brown gearbox was a new four-speed all-synchromesh unit.

The Touring 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 a new, extremely stiff chassis platform. The DB2/4's trailing-link independent front suspension gave 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. Introduced in July 1963, the Aston Martin DB5 boasted a 4.0-litre 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, with the more advanced ZF five-speed unit being standardised later.

The DB5's distinctive cowled headlamps had first appeared on the DB4GT and the newcomer was the same size as the lengthened Series V DB4. Outwardly, there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the last of the DB4s 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 a total of 95 cars. The DB5 was also offered in convertible form (the 'Volante' name would not be applied to the soft-top Aston until the DB6's arrival) while independent coachbuilder Harold Radford offered a shooting brake conversion. 1,021 DB5s were manufactured between July 1963 and September 1965, a total that included 123 convertibles and 12 shooting brakes.

The DB5 was the first and remains the most famous of all the 'James Bond' Aston Martins, having appeared in no fewer than nine movies of the series, beginning with Goldfinger in 1964. Equipped with rocket launchers and sundry other gadgets, 007's DB5 was finished in Silver Birch with red interior, in which specification it was later issued by Corgi Toys.

Completing build in October of 1963, this DB5 would see despatch to Mill Garages of Sunderland on 17th February 1964. Elegantly optioned from new in Dubonnet over Dark Grey Connolly VM8483, the DB5 was equipped with Dunlop RS5 tyres, Girling brakes, triple SU carburettors and an MPH speedometer. At the time of delivery, it bore the vehicle registration mark ‘RJX 1’.

By the mid-1970s, the DB5 had been purchased by Kenneth Fiddes of Acharacle, Pencaithland and the car was taken off the road, where it would remain until 1999 when it was recommissioned for road use. Invoices are on file from the endeavours of numerous owners during the years to return the car to the road. The car would remain in Scotland, moving next into the care of a Mr Lawson and his prestigious Royal Circus in Edinburgh before moving down south.

The accompanying history file documents invoices over a 40 year period and follows the car between keepers. Purchased by Dale Thomasson of Northolt in 1985, the car would be kept in a lockup garage until its sale in 2008 to Marien Van Schie of the Netherlands.

In 2015, the car completed its restoration with John Smith of Wren Classics, latterly Tudor & Black Ltd, and with further finishing embellishments by JD Classics of Maldon, Essex. At this time, it was refinished in the iconic Silver Birch over Black leather.

After four further years of storage, the car passed through our workshops in October 2019 where it received a mechanical recommissioning totalling just shy of £12,000. Following those works, DK handled the sale it its current custodian.

In preparation for sale, this DB5 has been serviced by Nicholas Mee & Co with works including a overhauling the carburettors and correcting a wiring issue. Today this DB5 is available to view at our showrooms outside of London immediately, ready to be used and enjoyed.

• Supplied new in 1964 in Dubonnet over Dark Grey Connolly VM8483
• Dry stored for 40 years before bare metal restoration
• Restored by Wren Classics and Tudor & Black Ltd
• Final embellishments by JD Classics
• Sold to the current custodian by DK Engineering in 2019
• Serviced by Nicholas Mee & Co including carburettor overhaul in preparation for sale