1964 Aston Martin DB5

Lot details
Registration No: CLX654B
Chassis No: DB5/1653/R
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

SUPPLIED NEW TO SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY

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 - the American who paid almost £3 million for the begadgeted star of those blockbuster movies presumably hoped 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, and examples with famous names in the log book inevitably tend to have still greater allure.

The DB5's DNA grew out of the DB4; a very different car from the DB MKIII it replaced. Launched at the 1958 Paris Motor Show, 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 DOHC 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 240bhp - sufficient to power the Aston to 60mph 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 - ie they featured the 'special series' 266bhp 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 282bhp triple carburettor version of Marek's masterpiece, it was now reputedly capable of almost 150mph 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.

By 1964, post-war austerity had long since given way to a culture of hope and hedonism. The sexual revolution was in full swing and the 'Fab Four' were flying high on both sides of the Atlantic. Fresh from its starring role in Goldfinger, Aston Martin's DB5 was the perfect trophy for the exciting new breed of celebrities. With their new found fame and fortune, the Beatles could afford any car they wished and eventually had many between them, from John Lennon's psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V to George Harrison's Ferrari 365 GTC.

Prior to the group's 1964 World Tour, Paul McCartney placed an order for what is believed to be his first Aston Martin - a Sierra Blue DB5 with Black leather trim, and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirms that the car we now offer, chassis 1653/R, was indeed first registered to the man himself. According to the factory record, it was built on July 3rd and seemingly despatched to the musician's accountants, Bryce, Hanmer & Isherwood on September 22nd. The factory-fitted extras included: Selectaride suspension, Motorola radio, chrome wire wheels and, most interestingly, a Phillips Auto-Mignon record player. The purchase price was £3,800 10s 0d plus £793 6s 8d tax. One item not mentioned on the accompanying BMIHT certificate but reportedly confirmed by the Aston Martin trimmer responsible - who is still working at Newport Pagnell - was the stitching of a special musical note motif into the leatherwork. Although, no longer with the car a part of the bespoke hide has survived (see photo) and can be made available to a new owner for the purposes of replication.

The Aston had its 500 mile service on October 7th 1964 and is known to have covered 40,513 miles by the time a new clutch was fitted and other remedial work carried out in 1970. It seems likely that it was at this point the car first changed hands, the next known owners being Truebell Stationers of Wandsworth, London. More recent keepers include John Richard Rogers of Ilford who acquired it on March 12th 1983 and John Hardy Shannon to whom he sold it on July 16th 1996. The vendor acquired this enticing item of Beatle memorabilia in 2002. Four years later he entrusted it to British car specialist Walter Baroni of Corsico, Milan for an extensive 'back-to-bare-metal' cosmetic restoration, the work on which was finally completed earlier this year.

Unlike Sir Paul's 1966 Aston Martin DB6, registration 'LL0 840D', period photos of the DB5 are elusive and written quotes relatively few and far between. Moreover, it would appear that some internet references confuse the two cars, for example, a diary piece notes how Jane Asher (Paul's girlfriend at the time): "helped him select his new car, a midnight Blue Aston Martin DB6." This almost certainly refers to the DB5, as the DB6 (though later resprayed Blue before returning to its original colour and forming part of Aston Martin's own collection) was in fact Goodwood Green when new.

The September 22nd 1967 issue of Time magazine was more precise and noted in the language of the day: "Batchelor Paul, 25 (his favorite 'bird' is 21-year old actress Jane Asher), is a movie addict, loves 'the look of London', and tools around town in a spiffy Blue Aston Martin DB5." Reminiscing about his band's 1965 UK tour, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds recalled: "The Beatles had come to see one of our gigs and we all hung out after the show. The next night I went to Paul McCartney's club in St James and he took me out for a drive around London in his Aston Martin DB5. It was a really amazing time." On his own company website, life-long fabricator Keith McEvoy recalls with pride how he was involved in building the chassis for both the Bond DB5 and McCartney's car during his days as an Aston Martin craftsman.

The phrase 'national treasure' has become somewhat over-used in recent years, but seems appropriate enough when referring to the immortal DB5 and never more applicable than in relation to Sir Paul McCartney. The chance to purchase the ex-McCartney DB5 is therefore surely something to savour for Aston Martin and Beatle fans alike. For reference, the ex-George Harrison DB5 changed hands at RM Auctions London sale of 2007 for $464,736.

Since arriving in the UK chassis DB5/1653/R has had its discs / callipers overhauled but they have not been 'bedded in' and need treating gently before being driven as normal. The car has also been treated to some cylinder head work by marque specialist Headshop (UK) Ltd and there are invoices detailing the work included with the car's documentation.