• Year of manufacture 
    1964
  • Chassis number 
    DB5/1692/R
  • Lot number 
    281
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon
Registration no. BYK 666B
Chassis no. DB5/1692/R

'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 had taken a giant step forward in 1958 with the launch of the DB4. Classically proportioned, the Touring-designed body established an instantly recognisable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970 and is still being referenced in today's Aston Martins. At its launch in October 1958, the DB4 marked a major turning point for Aston Martin as it was the first car of the David Brown era which neither used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939 nor an engine co-designed by W. O. Bentley. Moreover, it was the first Aston Martin to carry Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' bodywork, in which light alloy panels were fixed to a supporting framework of light-gauge steel tubes.

Although styled by Touring, the DB4's gorgeous fastback coachwork was built under license at Newport Pagnell by Aston Martin, which employed some of the finest panel beaters in the industry. The result was a car whose sleek lines were described as 'unmistakably Italian and yet... equally unmistakably Aston Martin'. When the DB4 was introduced, it was Britain's most powerful and fastest production car, and its aerodynamically styled, all-aluminium, Superleggera coachwork looked sensational, establishing a look that would endure for the next dozen years.

Touring's Superleggera body construction was deemed incompatible with the DB2/4-type multi-tubular spaceframe, so engineer Harold Beach drew up an immensely strong platform type chassis. 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.

The Aston Martin DB4 was also the first of the DB models to employ the entirely new engine designed by Tadek Marek, which had first been seen at Le Mans the previous year in the DBR2. A Polish engineer who had joined the company in 1954, Marek had previously enjoyed a racing career and posts with General Motors and FIAT in Poland. He had designed tanks during WW2 and had arrived at Newport Pagnell from Austin. An all-alloy, twin-overhead-camshaft six like its predecessor, Marek's 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.

Five (unofficially designated) 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, a 'proper' 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 five 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.

This DB5 left the factory in September 1964 finished in Sierra Blue with Fawn trim, and according to the accompanying copy guarantee form was sold through agents Brooklands to Woodward (Hampstead) Ltd, a firm of furniture manufacturers. DVLA records show the DB5 belonging to a Mr George Martin White from Kensington in 1968 and under the same ownership in Gerrards Cross in 1970. It returned to the factory in 1971 for servicing at 57,000 miles before changing ownership again in 1975 to Leigh Road Garage in Chulmleigh, Devon and subsequently to Mr Anthony Finney from Cheltenham in 1977. No further ownership change is recorded until the DB5 came into the hands of dealers Antea Cars of Wandsworth, London, and at some time later it was exported to Japan.

The DB5 remained in Japan until it was discovered by marque specialist Desmond Smail in original condition and still sporting its factory colour and trim combination. Several months later, the DB5 was repatriated to the UK and sold to its current owner with a view to a full 'ground upwards' restoration. The new owner commissioned Desmond J Smail Ltd to commence the restoration, which was completed in 2014. This exacting restoration includes industry-leading body and chassis fabrication by Bodylines matched to superb quality Aston Martin Rothesay Red paintwork by Lone Pine. Works carried out included a full engine rebuild to 4.2-litre specification with Cosworth pistons; gearbox and axle re-builds; and a full re-trim with Connolly hides and Wilton carpeting by Desmond's ex-factory trimmer, Joe Dorrill.

The DB5 is now as good as, if not better than, the day it left the factory, incorporating a few discreet modern additions that include air conditioning; music system with i-Pod connection; electric cooling fans; and sound and heat proofing.

Although the car has covered only 2,000 miles since restoration, it has been lovingly maintained, serviced, and MoT'd every year with a total spend by the current owner in excess of £230,000 to date. This is a matching numbers car with its original engine and gearbox, and comes with manufacturer's build sheets, Heritage Certificate, and fully documented restoration history. This beautiful DB5 is in beautiful condition and is ready for use.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401