1964 Aston Martin DB5

Lot details
Registration No: BYU 9B
Chassis No: DB51749R
Mot Expiry: None

Think Bond, James Bond and, despite his countless other modes of transport, you'll probably picture the silver DB5s of Goldfinger and Thunderball. The question is, does he who drives a DB5 automatically assume the charismatic ways of Ian Fleming's all-conquering hero? No doubt the American collector who recently paid almost £3 million for the begadgeted star of those blockbuster movies hopes so. However, exciting as that dream may be, the fact is the standard DB5 is itself a bewitching beast and has much to offer us ordinary mortals. It is for good reason the model has become the major star of all the David Brown Aston Martins.

The DB5's DNA grew out of the DB4; a very different car from the DB MKIII it replaced. Launched at the 1958 Paris Motorshow, it featured a new platform chassis conceived by Harold Beech. This was topped by a cage of small diameter tubes clothed in hand-made alloy body panels. The process, known as superleggera (lightweight), was evolved by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan and employed under licence by Aston Martin at its Newport Pagnell plant - the DB4 was the first model to be built in full at the site.

The newcomer was powered by an all-aluminium straight-six engine of 3670cc, conceived in house by the company's Polish designer Tadek Marek. When topped by the standard twin SU HD8 carburettors, it produced in the region of 240 bhp - sufficient to power the Aston to 60 mph in nine seconds and on to a top speed of some 140mph. Braking was by servo-assisted discs all round. The front suspension was independent by wishbones and coil springs, while the rear featured a coil sprung live axle further located by a Watts linkage. Steering was by rack and pinion. Over its six year reign, the DB4 was progressively developed through five 'Series'.

The most visible changes concerned the addition of window frames for the Series 2 and the adoption of a barred (as opposed to egg crate) grille for the Series 4 cars. The Series 5 cars introduced in September 1962 were both longer (9 cm) and taller. However, the overall height was maintained by changing from 16-inch to 15-inch diameter wheels. Almost all Series 5 models were built to 'Vantage' specification - i.e. they featured the 'special series' 266 bhp engine with its triple SU carburettors, bigger valves and higher compression, plus the faired-in headlights from the DB4GT, with the addition of a chrome surround. This final iteration of the DB4 can be considered a prototype DB5 in all but name.

So, more evolution than revolution, the DB5 was still a significant step forward when it took to the stage in 1963. For a start it was faster than its predecessor. Courtesy of a new 3995cc 282 bhp triple carburettor version of Marek's masterpiece, it was now reputedly capable of almost 150 mph and could reach 60 mph in a whisker over seven seconds. Initially there was the option of a five-speed ZF gearbox, but this soon became the standard fit. The car's general specification had also improved and now included: an alternator in place of the dynamo, reclining seats, pile carpets, electric windows, tinted glass and four silencers for the exhaust. A total of some 898 DB5s are understood to have been produced at Newport Pagnell before the model was replaced by the altogether larger, Kamm-tailed DB6 in late 1965.

The DB5 offered was registered on 25th September 1964. It sports Metallic Green coachwork complemented by a green leather interior. The vendor informs us that the paintwork, renewed at some time in the car's life, is "very good", as are the transmission and interior trim (the latter just showing wear commensurate with its age). Forming part of a private Aston Martin and Lagonda collection, 'BYU 9B' has lain dormant for some time and would therefore benefit from a degree of recommissioning prior to being put back on the road.

DB5s are hot property these days, whether or not their leather seats have been graced by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig and one can expect a strong level of interest in this car.