Aston Martin is one of the great names in British car manufacturing since 1913 and was founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The original Aston Martin cars were built for motor racing and record breaking. With financial troubles and the company exchanging hands over the last 20 years they finally found a post war savior in Sir David Brown.
Tractor Manufacturer David Brown Ltd bought Aston Martin in 1947 along with Lagonda and shared resources and workshops which lead to the manufacture of the DB series of cars with excellent racing pedigree.
The Aston Martin DB5 was in fact the last evolution of the DB4 but with a few improvements such as an all aluminum engine enlarged from 3.7 to 4.0 litre producing 282 bhp and of course is the most famous Aston Martin thanks to it being the ultimate Bond car appearing in no less the eight James Bond films including the most recent offering Spectre.
Aston Martin was initially reluctant to let the producers of Goldfinger just have a DB5 and told them they would have to buy the car, then said they would loan them one but it would have to come back without a scratch on it, eventually an arrangement was made with the DB5 being used as a product placement deal and the Aston Martin/007 connection still lives on today.
GALLERY
SPECIFICATION
| Years Produced | 1963 - 1965 |
|---|---|
| Performance | 0 - 60mph 8.1sec / Top Speed - 141mph |
| Power & Torque | 282bhp / 288Ib ft |
| Engine | 3995cc / straight six/ 12V |
| Drive-train | Front engine RWD |
| Transmission | Four/Five speed manual |
| Weight | 1346kg |
A BUYERS GUIDE
If you’re in the market to buy an Aston Martin DB5, then lucky you. Most DB5s are sold via the major auction houses or through Aston Martin specialists.
If you’re buying privately it would make sense to use an expert, and have them do a thorough inspection on the vehicle of choice before parting with your cash.
Exterior
It’s easy to be taken in by shiny paintwork, but this can be hiding a catalogue of horrors. The DB5 features an aluminum skin stretched over a steel skeleton. It was built to a high standard though, so cherished cars should be in fine fettle. If the aluminum skin is bubbling, expect far worse underneath as the two metals will have reacted with one another.
Sills can rot badly and means an expensive repair. Look at the base of the bulkhead, jacking points, trailing arm mounts, bumper supports, door hinge mountings, boot floor and the double-skinned boot lid.
Under the bonnet
Engines are strong providing they have been well maintained with regular oil changes and making sure it’s had a timing chain changed within the last 60,000 miles. An air cooler and an electric fan will help prevent over heating of the engine. Gear boxes are normally smooth and solid if not it may need a rebuild and vague steering is usually down to worn bushes but can be easily replaced.
Look out for corrosion around the front suspension arms and the rear arms of the lower front wishbones.
Interior
Interiors are of the finest quality and should be in good condition from having had a re-trim.
INTERESTING FACT
The original Aston Martin DB5 from the movie Goldfinger sold originally for just £5000. But then in 2006 it fetched one million pounds.
Mark Wilkinson (Managing Partner of Heritage Classic Car Insurance) says
“Aston Martin’s DB5 is the quintessential British sports car with first class provenance and real grand tourer performance, and did we mention it’s the go to car for James Bond and has been since 1964.”
