Considered by many to be the most beautiful and iconic British Grand Tourer ever made, this Aston Martin DB5 was first registered on 1st January 1965 and delivered to Mr Robert Symonds.
Built as a manual version with the desirable ZF 5-speed gearbox, the factory ‘build sheet’ shows that it was finished in metallic Black Pearl with White Gold, Connolly leather upholstery.
Built towards the end of 1964, it was purchased from Brooklands of Bond Street, Aston Martin’s agent in London’s West End. The documentation shows it was a regular visitor to Works Service before the car was exported to the US ending up in San Diego California where the exterior colour was changed to Caribbean Pearl. Not much is known of its history during its time in the States, and it remained there until 2016 when we brought it back home to the UK.
Launched in September 1963 and in production until 1965, a total of 1,059 DB5s were sold, 923 being the 2+2 coupé. Using the all-aluminium, 4.0-litre DOHC ‘straight-six’ engine from the DB4 Vantage and a ZF 5-speed gearbox, the DB5 used the Superleggera (‘super light’) patent of attaching magnesium-alloy panels to a structural framework of small-diameter steel tubes. Standard equipment included chrome wire wheels, an oil cooler, electric windows and a fully leather-trimmed cockpit.
The car is now in the Bell Sport and Classic restorations workshop undergoing a full restoration and will be returned to its original spec as per original build sheet. The engine has been fully re-built to factory spec with upgraded oil and water pumps for improved performance and reliability.
The car has been completely stripped back to its Superleggera structure, scanned and inspected for imperfections. The Superleggera steel frame has been re-wrapped and the nose and steel components of the body replaced with the floor and Superleggera frame powder coated. New body panels have been hand crafted by original factory team members to ensure absolute authenticity and correct shape and fit.
The next step will see the project progress to dry build and paint.
This car is available for sale.