1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon

• Known ownership history
• Long-term enthusiast ownership 1972-2013
• Professionally restored between 2016 and 2019
• Fewer than 48,000 miles from new
• Comprehensive history file

Chassis number '1760/R' was sold new in December 1964 via Cyril Williams Motors Ltd of Wolverhampton and first registered as 'CJW 606B'. It was delivered finished in Sierra Blue metallic and equipped with the ZF five-speed gearbox, 3.37:1 final drive ratio, heated rear window, and a Motorola radio with manual aerial. The original purchaser was the Osborn Manufacturing Co Ltd of Birmingham for one W E Douglas-Osborn of Stourbridge, Worcester, who took delivery on 5th December 1964 but kept the car for only three months. On 5th March 1965, Terence Warren-Green of Charlton Kings, Gloucester acquired the DB5, keeping the car until June 1966 when Charles N Hill of Sidmouth, Devon became the third owner. Shortly thereafter the registration was changed to 'CNH 20', which was still on the car when Mr David Ettridge purchased it from Mr Hill in February 1972. Sadly, David Ettridge passed away in March 2011 and his executors instructed Bonhams to sell the car, which was offered as a 'barn find' at our dedicated Aston Martin sale at Works Service, Newport Pagnell in May 2013.
Its late owner had first seen the Aston outside Deans Station Road Garage in Sidmouth. He telephoned Mr Hill and the checklist from that 'phone conversation is on file together with his comments on viewing the car, dictated to his wife! These reveal that there appeared to be no trace of under-body corrosion, although there were superficial marks on the right and left side door/wing and the car obviously needed a service. It would appear that no service history was available, only the original logbook, a DB5 Instruction Manual and an MoT certificate.
David Ettridge agreed to buy the Aston for £1,500 (approximately £25,000 in today's money!), subject to the results of a detailed inspection by Brixham's Central Garage, whose proprietor was an Aston Martin owner. 'CNH 20' was handed over with 37,282 miles recorded on the odometer. David Ettridge's notes on driving the DB5 are on file together with the condition report compiled by Central Garage, which carried out the badly needed service and gave the car a thorough 'going over', drawing up an action list of works required. Accompanying detailed service records and invoices list the works carried out and parts replaced, together with dates and mileage (inspection recommended). The car had been last taxed for the road in July 1977 and last MoT'd in September 1979 (at 47,190 miles). 'CNH 20' was then laid up; when sold in 2013 the odometer reading was 47,226 miles, an increase of only 36 miles in some 30-plus years.
There were various periods during the 1970s - fuel crisis, economic downturns, reduced need to do longer trips, etc - where the car effectively had been laid up and off the road. During these periods it was routinely taken out for an up-to-temperature run, or at the least pushed in/out of the garage to ensure the brakes were free. From 1980 onwards the Aston was not started, remaining parked sardine-like with the owner's collection of other cars.
David Ettridge was an active member of the Aston Martin Owners Club, becoming the Area Representative for Devon and Cornwall and serving as Fire Marshall at the AMOC's Wiscombe Park hill climb for several years, which gave him the opportunity to drive the DB5 up the hill at the end of each day, which he greatly enjoyed. Correspondence on file, including a letter from AML Chairman, Victor Gauntlett, seems to indicate that David was trying to establish a 'spares register' within the AMOC to help members retain access to parts for their cars following the factory's announcement that it was selling a schedule of 'redundant' parts for models DB4-DB6. There is also correspondence from members rebuilding their Astons, including one from the USA and another from Nigeria.
In 2013 we said this: "Given that the DB5 has been in active use for less than a third of its (life), covering fewer than 48,000 miles in the process, it is not surprising that its condition appears generally very good. The body is straight and apparently solid, with very good panel fit, while the glass is similarly good, displaying no visible cracks or chips...
"Inside, the carpets are generally good, as is the headlining, sun visors and door trim. The leather upholstery naturally shows creasing and gentle rubbing to beaded areas, although in a charming (as opposed to worn) way. Looking all present and correct, the engine bay appears typical of a car that has been in long term storage and not used. Surface corrosion is evident but of little consequence..." Bonhams has handled many barn-discovery Aston Martins over the past 20 years and none of them has been in as good a condition as this example was back in 2013.
Sold to a new owner at the aforementioned sale, the DB5 was extensively restored between 2017 and 2019 by marque specialists Pugsley & Lewis at a cost of £288,318, while bodywork refurbishment and a repaint in Silver Birch by Prestige Paintworks added a further £66,000 to the total spend. Poor running led to the carburettors being replaced in February 2022 at a cost of £9,227. This car also benefits from some of the usual modern driving upgrades: alloy radiator, cooling fan, electronic power-assisted steering, and radio converted to negative earth. All bills for these works are available.
The history file also contains the aforementioned correspondence, notes and receipts; a DB5 instruction book and sales brochure/specification sheet; five expired MoTs; a 1977 tax disc; the original logbook; MoT to June 2024; and a V5C registration document. The car also comes with a jack; tool roll; the original leather/copper wheel nut hammer; a battery conditioner; and a Works Service tailored car cover. Retaining its nicely patinated black leather interior, this immaculate DB5 is described by the vendor as in excellent condition throughout, ready to enjoy.