There is simply no Aston Martin more iconic, more instantly recognized than the DB5. Of course James Bond had something to with that, but as with every screen star, there was a lot more going on behind the scenes. The storyline starts in 1958 with the DB4, which propelled Aston Martin into the mainstream of high-speed luxury GTs to rival Ferrari and Maserati. The new DB4 Aston Martin turned to Italian styling house Carrozzeria Touring, who designed the sleek and aggressive-looking body using its Superleggera (super- light) body construction technique employing a lightweight tubular structure to support the sleek and aggressive-looking aluminum body; that, in turn, entailed a new chassis in the form of an immensely strong pressed-steel platform frame. Power was provided by a considerably larger and far more potent 3.7L all aluminium, dual-overhead-cam inline-6 designed in-house by Polish-born Tadek Marek, who is regarded by many as Aston Martin’s secret weapon. With all-round disc brakes to rein it in, Marek’s 240 HP power unit propelled the DB4 to 140 MPH and into a new league in both performance and styling. Through five iterations, the DB4 became the first ever Aston Martin to sell more than 1,000. Then, in 1963, came the DB5 with a 4.0L engine mated to triple SU carburetors and producing a prodigious 282 HP, increasing top speed to 145 MPH. Though the DB5 was an evolution of the DB4, Aston Martin claimed no less than 170 modifications. Among those, the slightly longer body, as on the last Series V DB4, improved rear passenger accommodation. The signature cowled headlamps came from the formidable DB4 GT, electrics were now alternator, the suspension was revised and interior appointments improved with reclining seats and electric windows as standard. The price for all this was a hefty $12,775. As a 1965 car, this Dubonnet Red DB5 backs up its 3995cc DOHC 6-cylinder with the desirable ZF 5-speed manual transmission in place of the 4-speed unit installed in early cars. Something not often seen on others though, is the very rare full-length factory sunroof option, which adds another dimension to the DB5 experience. Professionally restored in 2001 by marque specialists Vantage Motors of Stamford, Connecticut, Chassis No. DB52025R’s engine was rebuilt by race-motor specialist Tony Luther. This distinctive DB5, with its best-of-British tan Connolly hide interior and Wilton wool carpets, has been part of the late Rick Grant III’s collection since 2013. So enduring and high-profile is the global presence of the DB5 that it’s hard to believe that from July 1963 to September 1965 a mere 1,021 were produced, and equally, it’s just as hard to imagine what other car Britain’s most famous secret agent could possibly have driven.
