1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupé LHD

OVERVIEW

This 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe for sale on SBX Cars is finished in Silver Birch with a dark red leather interior. It is powered by a 4.0 liter inline six cylinder engine producing 282 hp, running power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

MODEL HISTORY

The DB5 is the model that saw Aston Matin become a household name throughout the world. This was true at its introduction, and even more so today, thanks to its continued association with a certain British spy in our cultural lansdscape. That kind of association between a character and his vehicle seems natural today, but when the movie Goldfinger was released in 1964, product placement was not so carefully considered. Yet, the choice of the DB5 as an extension of who James Bond was was a natural fit. In the real world, Aston's DB models made a name for themselves as exceptional British GT cars, across all generations, with pace and poise that made them hugely desirable for successful Europeans. The DB5 was subtly refined visually compared to its predecessor, again designed by Carrozzeria Touring as they updated and refined the shape, managing to combine the Italian flare with the clean British style that made it very popular at the time.  

The previous model, the DB4, was the coupe that established Aston Martin as a serious manufacturer, setting a standard for GT Coupes in the late 1950s both with its engineering and design. With rival manufacturers looking to compete, the DB5 had to move the target farther along, and managed to accomplish that on all fronts. Only 898 examples exist of the DB5 Coupes, made legendary by the James Bond films, and were hand-built between 1963 and 1965.

THIS ASTON MARTIN

This DB 5 was originally delivered to Mr. K.L. Newton in England in July 1965, finished in Dubonnet over a beige interior, with an optional heated rear windscreen, on a right-hand-drive specification model that was delivered to its original owner in England in 1965. The restoration that includes the switch to left hand drive was essentially a bespoke build, with the photo and invoice documentation underlining the effort that went into a fully hand built car. Proper materials and original equipment specifications were adhered to closely, and the result with the silver over red leather color change is beautiful and proper.

MECHANICALS

A few years ago, the current owner acquired the vehicle through a renowned dealer from the Netherlands. The Aston Martin DB5 presented here then was extensively restored on a virtually untouched base. A binder with both receipts and photos documented the process. Originally finished in Dubonnet over a beige interior, the restoration saw the body stripped to bare metal and refinished in Birch Silver, with the change to the red leather interior completing the metamorposis into a more striking look. The underbody was dry ice-blasted and preserved. In the course of this work, the vehicle was converted to left-hand drive. The engine was completely overhauled, with the work extensively photographed as it progressed.

In recent years, the car has been regularly driven and serviced by Aston Martin specialists. The car has a German registration, a current valuation, the Works Build Sheet and thorough invoice documentation. 

SUMMARY

While most DB5 examples have good historical records, this car still stands out with its detail and specification, and would be an excellent addition to any collection. James Bond fantasies notwithstanding, this DB5 is guaranteed to imbue any driver with a sense of purpose and occasion.