LOT 207

By order of the Executors, single family ownership since 1995 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Registration no. JNJ 5D Chassis no. DB5/2212/R Engine no. 400/2206

Estimate: £500,000 - £600,000

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Lot 207

By order of the Executors, single family ownership since 1995
1966 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon
Registration no. JNJ 5D Chassis no. DB5/221/R Engine no. 400/2206

Goodwood Festival of Speed: Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia|9 July 2021, 14:30 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

By order of the Executors, single family ownership since 1995
1966 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon
Registration no. JNJ 5D
Chassis no. DB5/2212/R
Engine no. 400/2206

*Matching numbers
*Restored in the 1980s
*6,760 miles since restoration
*Used sparingly
*Comprehensive history file
*The most famous of all 'James Bond' Aston Martins

Footnotes

"Racing has played a major part in the development of all Aston Martin engines since Frank Halford designed the original 1.5-litre unit for Bamford & Martin. The 3,995cc 6-cylinder light alloy engine fitted to the DB5 is in all major respects the same as that which powered the 4-litre prototype which ran in the 1962 and 1963 Le Mans 24-Hour races." – Autocar, 21st May 1965.

Aston Martin's post-war evolution had taken a giant step forward in 1958 with the launch of the DB4. Classically proportioned, the Touring-designed body established an instantly recognisable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970 and is still being referenced in today's Aston Martins. It was the first Aston Martin to carry Carrozzeria Touring's 'Superleggera' bodywork, in which light alloy panels were fixed to a supporting framework of light-gauge steel tubes.

When the DB4 was introduced, it was Britain's most powerful and fastest production car, and its aerodynamically styled, all-aluminium, Superleggera coachwork looked sensational, establishing a look that would endure for the next dozen years.

The Aston Martin DB4 was also the first of the DB models to employ the entirely new engine designed by Tadek Marek, which had first been seen at Le Mans the previous year in the DBR2. An all-alloy, twin-overhead-camshaft six, Marek's new 3,670cc engine featured 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 92mm and developed its maximum power of 240bhp at 5,500rpm. The David Brown gearbox was a new four-speed all-synchromesh unit.

Five (unofficially designated) series were built as the model gradually metamorphosed into the DB5. Introduced in July 1963, the Aston Martin DB5 boasted a 4.0-litre engine, this enlarged unit having been seen first in the Lagonda Rapide of 1961. Equipped with three SU carburettors, the '400' engine produced 282bhp at 5,500rpm and was initially mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, and a ZF five-speed unit being standardised later.

The DB5's distinctive cowled headlamps had first appeared on the DB4GT and the newcomer was the same wheelbase as the 'Series V' DB4. Outwardly there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the last of the DB4s apart from twin fuel filler caps, though these had already appeared on some cars. Beneath the skin, however, there were numerous improvements including alternator electrics; Girling disc brakes instead of Dunlops; Sundym glass; electric windows; and an oil pressure gauge as standard equipment.

The DB5 was also offered in convertible form (the 'Volante' name would not be applied to the soft-top Aston until the DB6's arrival), while independent coachbuilder Harold Radford offered a shooting brake conversion. Just 1,021 DB5s were manufactured, a total that included 123 convertibles and 12 shooting brakes.

The DB5 was the first and remains the most famous of all the 'James Bond' Aston Martins, having appeared in no fewer than five movies of the series, beginning with Goldfinger in 1964. Equipped with rocket launchers and sundry other gadgets, 007's DB5 was finished in Silver Birch with red interior, in which specification it was later issued by Corgi Toys.

This matching-numbers DB5 chassis no. '2212' left the factory in July 1966. This is sometime after production of the DB5 had ceased with chassis '2275' in September 1965 for intriguing reasons unknown. Finished in Autumn Gold with beige trim and retailed via H W Motors Ltd, the first owner being recorded on the guarantee form as 'M Glasser'. The next owner, from 1971, was a Mr B Padgett of Hobbs Padgett & Co Ltd. In October 1995 the Aston passed into the present family ownership, having been purchased from a Mr Steel of Surrey, its owner since at least 1983.

Mr Steel had commissioned a comprehensive restoration in the mid-1980s undertaken and overseen by Medcalf & Co., during which the car had been refinished in its original Autumn Gold livery and the interior re-trimmed in deep red. Zeroed during restoration, the odometer now reads 6,760 miles.

Some older related invoices are on file together with others from RS Williams (1968-1972) and 12 expired MoTs for the period 1989 (00,000 miles) to 2004 (05,868 miles). The comprehensive history file also contains a V5C Registration Certificate; an old-style continuation logbook (issued July 1973); present family ownership and past ownership correspondence; copious invoices; insurance documentation; AMOC literature; and press cuttings and magazines. Also offered with this Lot is an original watercolour of the DB5 by Mike Harbar, and a cased diorama of the car in a workshop!

The owner had driven the DB5 sparingly, reserving its use for attending the occasional AMOC event and venues such as Goodwood, Silverstone, etc. Presented in generally very good condition, '2212' represents a wonderful opportunity to own what for many enthusiasts is the ultimate Aston Martin.

Saleroom notices

PLease note the chassis number should read DB5/2212/R. We are pleased to report that we have been in contact with the previous owner - Mr Reg Steel - who confirms that the factory's Aston Martin Works Service department at Newport Pagnell undertook the engine rebuild in the 1980s. Invoices for this work are not on the DB5's file as Mr Steel's company, Acsim Limited, were invoiced for the works. The history file does contain a letter from David Eales of Oselli Limited (dated October 1995) recalling that the engine was rebuilt for Steel by Aston Martin Works Service, during the time he was employed by the factory. Mr Steel also feels a factory replacement block was supplied during the rebuild, and stamped accordingly.

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