Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 219
The Stan West Collection 1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon Registration no. MPB 379 Chassis no. DB5/1365/R
Sold for £423,200 inc. premium
Lot 219
The Stan West Collection 1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon Registration no. MPB 379 Chassis no. DB5/1365/R
Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|18 September 2021, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood
The Stan West Collection
1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon
Registration no. MPB 379
Chassis no. DB5/1365/R
1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon
Registration no. MPB 379
Chassis no. DB5/1365/R
*Formerly owned by Baron Diego Von Buch
*Engine rebuilt and upgraded by R S Williams in 2005
*Numerous invoices on file
*Part of the Stan West Collection since 2009
*Engine rebuilt and upgraded by R S Williams in 2005
*Numerous invoices on file
*Part of the Stan West Collection since 2009
Footnotes
"Like all classic GT cars, it combines enormous speed with comfort and the more you put into your driving, the more the car returns for your entertainment. And the DB5 really is entertaining to anyone who can exploit its outstanding performance, handling and brakes. It will also carry four people (just) and a fair amount of luggage so the merits of family transport (if need be) have not been entirely sacrificed to speed and elegant looks." – Motor.
Arguably the best known of all Aston Martins, thanks to starring roles in the James Bond films Goldfinger and Thunderball, the DB5 was an evolutionary development of the DB4 that had represented such a giant step forward for the company on its arrival in 1958. Classically proportioned, the DB4's Touring-designed body established an instantly recognisable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970. The engine was still an all-alloy twin-overhead-camshaft six, but the old W O Bentley-designed 3.0-litre unit had been superseded by a new design by Tadek Marek. Proven in racing before it entered production in the DB4, the new 3,670cc engine featured 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 92mm and developed its maximum output of 240bhp at 5,500rpm. The David Brown gearbox was a new four-speed all-synchromesh unit.
Touring's Superleggera body construction, which employed a lightweight tubular structure to support the aluminium-alloy body panels, was deemed incompatible with the DB2/4-type multi-tubular spaceframe, so engineer Harold Beach drew up an immensely-strong platform-type chassis. Independent front suspension was retained, the DB2/4's trailing links giving way to unequal-length wishbones, while at the rear the DB4 sported a live axle located by a Watts linkage instead of its predecessor's Panhard rod. Five series were built as the model gradually metamorphosed into the DB5 of 1963. The latter's distinctive cowled headlamps had first appeared on the DB4GT and the newcomer was the same size as the lengthened Series 5 DB4. The major change was the adoption of a 4.0-litre version of the (previously) 3.7-litre six-cylinder 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 mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, a 'proper' ZF five-speed unit being standardised later, with automatic transmission an option. Outwardly there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the final Series 5 DB4 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. From September 1964 the 314bhp, triple-Weber Vantage engine became available and was fitted to 95 cars out of the total of 1,021 DB5s manufactured up to September 1965. Capable of reaching the 'ton' in under 17 seconds on its way to a top speed of 148mph, the DB5 was one of the fastest production cars of its day and a match for Europe's best.
Despatched from the Newport Pagnell factory on 6th January 1964, chassis number '1365/R' was owned by Baron Diego Von Buch between 1987 and 2002, having previously belonged to one Rajiv Tandon of London W9. The Aston's new owner was Mr Michael Baker of West Sussex, who would be the car's custodian until he offered it for sale at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival sale in September 2009 (Lot 222) where it was purchased for the Stan West Collection. In 2005 the Aston's engine had been rebuilt to 4.2-litre unleaded specification by world-famous marque specialists, R S Williams Ltd. Accompanying bills for the rebuild total £27,000 and there are other invoices on file for work undertaken throughout the car's life, including an interior re-trim. Additional documentation includes a quantity of expired MoTs; a 1998 accident damage repair invoice; an AML Test Report (2003); copies of previous registration documents; and a current V5C. Finished in blue metallic with beige leather upholstery, 'MPB 379' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a fine example of this much-loved British thoroughbred benefiting from considerable expenditure.
Additional information
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