Aston Martin DB5

Has there ever been a more iconic symbol of gentlemanly British style than the Aston Martin DB5? Certainly the best known Aston of all time, and possibly the most famous car of all time, the sensational DB5 is indelibly associated in the public mind with Sean Connery’s James Bond, the iconic British man of action. Like Bond himself, the DB5's design somehow manages to combine infinite sophistication with unbridled aggression – the archetypal brute in a well-cut suit. 

It is somewhat ironic then, that the DB5’s gorgeous aluminium curves (and ingenious Superleggera construction method) were actually the work of Italian carrozzeria, Touring of Milan – albeit with a small amount of input from Newport Pagnell’s chief designer, Harold Beach, who came up with the front wing vents that have remained an Aston Martin hallmark ever since.

Launched in 1963, the DB5 was basically a 4-litre version of the outgoing 3.7-litre DB4 with a few subtle styling tweaks and some minor improvements to the cabin and running gear. Faster than its predecessor courtesy of a new 3,995cc 282bhp triple SU carburettor version of Tadek Marek's superb straight-six, it was now capable of almost 150mph and could reach 60mph in a whisker over seven seconds (a Vantage version with triple Weber carbs was also available with 314bhp).

Early cars came with a four-speed manual gearbox, with a three-speed automatic as an option, while in mid-1964, a ZF five-speed manual was introduced as standard. Other performance-enhancing features included the adoption of improved Girling disc brakes on all four wheels, pioneered on the limited-edition DB4 GT. The independent front suspension used ball-jointed wishbones and coil springs, while the live rear axle also used coil springs with location by a Watt’s linkage. Steering was by rack-and-pinion.

Handbuilt by a dedicated team of craftsmen, just 1,023 of these beautiful cars were produced in total before it was replaced by the altogether larger Kamm-tailed DB6 in late 1965, including 123 convertibles and 12 shooting brakes. Demand for all types always exceeds supply and the DB5 has come to be seen as the barometer of the classic car market. Outstanding examples of the coupe now routinely fetch over £350,000 at auction while James Bond’s Goldfinger car recently sold for £2.6m. Given that a DB5 also features in the new Bond movie Skyfall, released last month, we can’t see the car’s desirability diminishing any time soon.

This particular DB5 Coupe comes from the estate of the late Peter Wheeler, the charismatic owner of TVR, who died in June 2009 some four years after he had sold TVR to Russian tycoon, Nikolai Smolenski, for £15m. As the accompanying factory build sheets confirm, chassis number 1588/R was delivered in June 1964 to first owners, CS Martin Holdings Ltd of South Wigston, Leicester, although ownership soon transferred to a JC Luke of Marsh Street, Bristol. The registration number was originally MM 140 (sadly now on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E240 Saloon, according to DVLA records).

Originally Pearl Black with a red Connolly hide interior, the car had a ZF five-speed manual gearbox while extra equipment included chrome wire wheels, heated rear screen, front seat belts and headrests and a Motorola radio. Selectaride shock absorbers were also fitted shortly after purchase. The car was serviced at the Aston factory for the first three years of its life up to some 20,000 miles (details on file) but little is known of its subsequent history until it turned up at a dealer’s premises in Uggeshall, Suffolk, in November 1998.

It was then acquired by a gentleman in Ashtead, Surrey in April 1999. In conversation with Brightwells, this owner recalled that the car was in a rather shabby state when he bought it, with a damaged nose and off-side front wing and with both front seats missing. However, as he wished to turn the car into a racer, these things were unimportant compared to the soundness of the chassis which was excellent.

The car was then substantially rebuilt to prepare it for competition use including having the rear arches slightly flared, brakes and suspension uprated, competition fuel tank installed in the boot and an MSA/RAC approved Gartrac roll cage fitted. It was then sent to David Jack at Aston Engineering in Derby for a full engine rebuild to 4.2-litre fast road spec with dyno sheets from October 2001 showing 327bhp and 304 lb/ft of torque. A Hewland competition limited slip diff was also fitted along with an uprated dog-leg gearbox, new triple Weber carbs and numerous other modifications to make it suitable for track work. Aston Engineering have kept records of the work done which they are happy to copy for the new owner.

After a few shakedown sessions at Snetterton, the car was taken to Spa in 2004 and 2005 where it successfully completed a couple of hour-long races at the famous Belgian circuit. As the owner also had several other racing cars, the Aston was then barely used until Peter Wheeler acquired it in February 2006, still with only around 7 hours running time under its wheels.

Peter’s intention was to use it for fast road use and for the occasional AMOC track day so the car was entrusted to his (and TVR’s) race engineer, Brian Hosfield, to make it more suited for this purpose. This included fitting a new Borg Warner T5 close ratio 5-speed gearbox with a bespoke billet aluminium bell housing (the dog-leg gearbox was removed and fitted to a more hardcore DB4 race car that Peter also owned) and a twin-plate paddle type clutch. The interior was also made a bit more comfortable with twin period upholstered competition seats in place of the single carbonfibre seat that the previous owner had fitted. The original DB5 dash was also reinstated in place of the carbonfibre race dash that had also been previously fitted. The suspension was also made a little more road friendly and the brakes fully overhauled with new discs etc.

Over the next three years the car was only lightly used by Peter, mainly for trips to the TVR factory in Blackpool, only clocking up around 300 miles. Since his death it has seen further very light use, mainly for an annual trip to the MOT station (old MOTs on file). Still said to be in excellent running order, it is taxed and MOTd until June 2013 but will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being used in anger. It comes with ten spare wire wheels and tyres, including a set fitted with race tyres and a set fitted with Yokohamas, plus the base of the original rear seat in red Connolly hide. No other original trim parts are with the car.

Altogether a most intriguing old Aston with a colourful past that is ready for a proud new owner to enjoy right away.