1963 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon

• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Exported to the USA in the 1970s
• Purchased and returned to the UK by the current owner in 1995
• Maintained by Aston Martin Works since acquisition

Aston Martin's post-war evolution took a giant step forward in 1958 with the launch of the DB4. Classically proportioned, the Carrozzeria Touring-styled 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. At its launch in October 1958, the DB4 marked a major turning point for Aston Martin as it was the first car of the David Brown era which neither used a chassis derived from the experimental Atom of 1939 nor an engine co-designed by W O Bentley. Moreover, it was the first Aston Martin to carry Touring's 'Superleggera' bodywork, in which light alloy panels were fixed to a supporting framework of light-gauge steel tubes. This method of body construction had been deemed incompatible with the DB2/4-type multi-tubular spaceframe, so engineer Harold Beach drew up an immensely strong platform type chassis. At the front, the DB4's suspension featured unequal-length wishbones instead of the DB2/4's trailing links, while the live rear axle was now located by a Watts linkage instead of the preceding Panhard rod.

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 like its predecessor, 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 latter 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 mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, a 'proper' 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 size as the lengthened, '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.

From September 1964 the 314bhp, triple-Weber Vantage engine became available and was fitted to a total of 95 cars. 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. 1,021 DB5s were manufactured between July 1963 and September 1965, 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 eight 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 particular DB5 was retailed via Brooklands of Bond Street and first owned by Messrs Belling & Lee Ltd of Enfield, Middlesex. The car left the Newport Pagnell factory finished in Snow Shadow Grey with red interior trim and equipped with a 3.31:1 Powr-Lok rear axle and heated rear screen. A Webasto sunroof was added later. There are bills on file dating from the 1970s addressed to former owner J E Hopper of Cocksparrow Hall, Westcote Barton from Robin Hamilton for a full rebuild costing a - scarcely credible these days - total of £3,200!

The Aston was then exported to the USA; owners noted on file include Jim Clary of La Mesa, California in 1977 and Joe Di Filippo in 1979. Our vendor purchased the DB5 from the USA and brought it back to the UK in 1999 via CARS UK. Since then it has wanted for nothing, as evidenced by detailed bills on file from Aston Martin Works relating to routine servicing and various repairs for the period April 2016 to October 2019. Repainted in Silver Birch by AMW, the car is described by the vendor as in generally excellent condition, with a well preserved and delightfully patinated original interior. Professionally stored when not in use, this iconic Aston Martin is offered with a copy guarantee form, a V5C Registration Certificate, and the aforementioned file of bills, etc. Stiffened front suspension is the only notified deviation from factory specification.