We’ve featured several Aston Martins on Rare Rides previously, but have never covered its most recognizable car: the DB5. Designed in Italy, the DB5 was an instant collector’s item when it starred as James Bond’s ride in Goldfinger.
Today’s collection includes all three different DB5 body styles, each rarer than the last.
First some basics. The DB5 was the successor to the DB4, a 2+2 produced between 1958 and 1963. The DB4 was designed by Carrozzeria Touring (a name we’ve heard before), a firm that worked frequently with Aston Martin in the Fifties and Sixties. Thus when the DB4 needed replacement, design work was handed to Touring once again. The new DB5 took the principles established in the DB4 and enhanced them: The design was familiar to Aston customers but more modern, as it implemented a more sweeping look than the DB4.
Underneath the DB5 used the same wheelbase as the DB4 but had a slightly longer overall length. The DB5 used an aluminum inline-six of 4.0 liters, sized up from the 3.7 found in the majority of DB4 examples. At the end of the DB4’s run, a few high-po versions used the 4.0. Depending on the year, the DB5 was good for between 282 and 325 horsepower, the latter figure available only in the Vantage version with its triple Weber carbs. Those carbs meant the Vantage coupe made its sprint to 60 in 6.5 seconds. The manual transmission here had five forward speeds and was from ZF, and there was an optional three-speed auto from BorgWarner.
The DB5 had a short life and was only in production from 1963 to 1965. During that time, Aston produced a low 1,059 total examples. The company moved on to the similar-looking DB6, which had a longer production life from 1965 to 1970.
Of the small overall number of DB5s, the vast majority were coupes. Aston also built a convertible version during most of the DB5’s run, a design also penned by Touring. With a much lower take rate, only 123 convertibles were produced. At the very end of DB5 production, Aston adopted the Volante name for the DB5 convertible and continues the use of that term today.
But the rarest DB5 was the shooting brake version. Limited to a prototype for company owner David Brown, Aston never officially produced any wagon-like DB5s. Instead, the shooting brakes were built by British coach firm Harold Radford. A custom-order type car, the shooting brakes were built only after a customer came to Aston Martin with interest. Total number built: 11.
Today’s DB5 collection is a special one. Three DB5s, one of each body style were gathered by a dedicated owner. Notably, each is of the high-powered Vantage variety. A coupe in classic silver, shooting brake in a misty green, and Volante in light blue. The seller mentions the shooting brake is especially unique, in that it’s the singular example in Vantage guise. The ask is $5.67 million, in case you were wondering.
H/t to commenter FreedMike for pointing out today’s collection.
[Images: YouTube via seller]
