Wednesday 13th September 2023

Aston Martin celebrates 60 years of DB5

The DB5 was first seen at the Frankfurt show in September '63; it's proved quite popular since...

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It’s not often that a manufacturer can get away with the phrase ‘world’s most iconic car’ in a press release, but in the case of the DB5 Aston Martin might just be permitted. Thanks to that indelible association with 007, its style, performance and celebration of all things swinging '60s, the DB5 may just be able to lay claim to the description. Along with a few other cars of that decade, in fact - think 911, Miura, 250 GTO, E-Type and so on. What a few years it was.

But that discussion is for another day. What isn’t up for any debate is that it's the DB5’s 60th birthday. The DB4’s replacement was first shown to the world in September 1963 at the Frankfurt motor show. It was powered by an evolution of that car’s straight six, now at 4.0-litres and 285hp, with a beautiful body styled by Touring Superleggera. ‘The fastest regular 4-seat GT car in the world’ would do more than 150mph, which guaranteed the DB5 some attention, as did favourable press reviews. Mick Jagger got one, as did Paul McCartney and George Harrison. And, of course, so did James Bond…

We won’t dwell on the point here, but suffice it to say the starring role of a DB5 in 1964’s Goldfinger worked wonders for the car’s celebrity appeal in the '60s. And, thanks to subsequent cameos in later films, comfortably into the 21st century as well. You can’t think about James Bond without the DB5 coming to mind, and vice versa. And when we're talking about one of the most successful and long-running film franchises ever, that leaves quite a mark, culturally speaking. 

The global superstardom is especially notable given precious few DB5s left the Newport Pagnell factory. It was built for just a couple of years from ’63 before the DB6’s introduction, during which time 1,022 were produced. That number was split across 887 two-doors, 123 convertibles and 12 very special shooting brakes. With so much time having now passed since then (the last DB5s were made in 1965), plenty will have fallen by the wayside. One or two must have suffered at the hands of Bond wannabes, for starters…

Lawrence Stroll, naturally, has a DB5. He said of Aston’s most famous model: “The David Brown era gave us so many great Aston Martin sports cars but none more recognisable, revered, and desired as the DB5, which laid the foundations of our identity as a British luxury brand synonymous with style, performance, and exclusivity.” To mark the occasion, Aston has got together both the ‘5 - somehow not a Silver Birch car - with its latest DB, the DB12. Very smart pair they make, too. Stroll again: “We’re incredibly proud that the DB lineage continues today with the critically acclaimed DB12, which like those came before it, is a celebration of all we love about British hand-built sports cars, with a new injection of the latest technology and highest levels of performance.”

The good news for those after a DB5 in this special anniversary year is that there are plenty around - a dozen on PH, in fact. The bad news is that they kick off at £650,000. That amount buys this stunning Sierra Blue example, complete with a recent engine overhaul, Connolly leather retrim, handling kit and brake rebuild. Predictably, the Silver Birch cars carry a premium - this is the only one at less than £800,000 - and those super rare Convertibles even more so. This gorgeous drop-top was subject to a £300,000 restoration (!) in 2010, at which time it was also upgraded with power steering, Koni dampers and a 4.2-litre, Vantage-spec engine. Expect the price on application to be a seven-figure one. And finally, for something really special, try this - a Silver Birch hardtop overhauled by Aston Engineering and Aston Martin Works; it now sports a 4.7-litre engine, uprated suspension, a Becker Mexico stereo, air-con and new Borrani wire wheels. It looks like a spectacular one - even without revolving numberplates.  

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• Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger | PH Review
• 2023 Aston Martin DB12 | PH Review

[GreatScott2016]

Stunning looking cars and one I'd have in my dream garage for sure

[Chubbyross]

I’ve always preferred the DB6 with its ducktail but this is stunning. Great colour.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

Lovely to look at and sit in. Not so great to drive according to friends who have.

[Woz66]

Is there a company that does revolving number plates I’ll need one if i get any more points 🤔🤣

[Funk]

The DB5 is one of the best looking cars of all time in my opinion. Simply stunning.

I have no interest in modern Astons though.

[cayman-black]

Absolutley beautiful!

[C5_Steve]

That colour on the DB5 is breathtaking.

One of my original hero cars as a child due to the Bond connection I have a quite detailed model of the Bond one with all the little gadgets. Was probably given it far too young as it was more a collectible than a toy but it's glorious.

[Spiros115]

Not a bad 2 car garage with the DB12 and DB5! Cant believe how much they’ve increased in price, remember 10 years ago there were half decent ones for £150k it’s 4x that now for anything less than 100k miles.

[WPA]

GreatScott2016 said:

Stunning looking cars and one I'd have in my dream garage for sure

Agreed but in any colour apart from Silver Birch

[Robertb]

I'd not realised how few were made.

[Numeric]

Like so many of the era - when you drive them they can be a little disappointing compared with modern stuff, but if you can immerse yourself in the experience they make more sense. I confess I never can, but I know others that find cars of this era very compelling.

But look at it - I mean it is so darn lovely, I may be disappointed with the drive but the pleasure of just parking at a pub and supping a beer while staring at it - well it's a nice dream.

[NGK210]

Loving the Stroll quotes, so eloquent and concise, just like normal speech, completely devoid of any PR-style rhetoric

Clunky press releases aside, what a lovely pair of DBs

[Slowlygettingit]

Beautiful looking thing the db5. From when cars could look pretty without having to have aggression thrust upon them.
Would love one in the dream garage but quite a few cars would be in there before it.

[MCBrowncoat]

Beautiful cars and that is a lovely colour.

I really enjoyed this video from Ben Collins from a few days back, driving the V8 prototype

https://youtu.be/69WlGUp-D0c?si=HsQq58R0sSSciXsh

[TheMilkyBarKid]

They are lovely. But for me the DB4 is even more ‘just so’. One like this in fact:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14929867

I’ll burn, I know..

[Wren-went]

Friend of my Dad's had a White DB5 I'm the.late 60s Dad at the time had a brand new F reg 68 MK2 2 door 1500 GT Corrina .

DB5 certainly is the most iconic car in the world.but looks.wise a S1 & 2 E-types are the better looking if not the most beautiful car in the world.

[varsas]

TheMilkyBarKid said:

They are lovely. But for me the DB4 is even more ‘just so’. One like this in fact:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14929867

I’ll burn, I know..

Pah, the speedo only goes to 160 on this, it goes to 180 on the DB5 so it's obviously the superior car.

[GTRene]

was a DB5 also not used in a James Bond movie? or even more JB movies?

or was that another model ah now I read some again 007 lol,

[DP14]

Wren-went said:

DB5 certainly is the most iconic car in the world.

Certainly in the world of those that frequent websites such as this, perhaps less certain in the middle of China, India and the rest of the actual world.

[LotusOmega375D]

GTRene said:

was a DB5 also not used in a James Bond movie? or even more JB movies?

or was that another model ah now I read some again 007 lol,

No it was a DB4 Series V Vantage, but badged as the still-to-be-released DB5.