This month sees the 60th birthday of what is often regarded as the most famous car in the world, the Aston Martin DB5. Famous as being the transport of choice for the world’s least secret fictional secret agent, the DB5 celebrates its 60th birthday and reminds us of just what a stylish and seriously cool bit of kit it still is.
The DB5 took center stage amongst Aston Martin’s stand at the recent Goodwood Revival along with its spiritual DB successor, the latest DB12 and Lawrence Stroll, Chief Executive of Aston Martin and DB5 owner, sees the DB5 as one of the hallmarks of Aston’s 110 year history.
“The David Brown era gave us so many great Aston Martin sports cars but none more recognisable, revered, and desired as the DB5, which laid the foundations of our identity as a British luxury brand synonymous with style, performance, and exclusivity.
“It is only right that, as it turns 60, we take a moment to look back and reflect on this car’s incredible role in our storied 110-year heritage. We’re incredibly proud that the DB lineage continues today with the critically acclaimed DB12, which like those came before it, is a celebration of all we love about British hand built sportscars, with a new injection of the latest technology and highest levels of performance,” he says.
Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the DB5 was the fifth generation Aston Martin road car to feature the initials of the then chairman, David Brown. Its predecessor, the DB4, launched in 1958 was a considerable success and spawned a number of special editions like the DB4 GT and DB4 GT. The DB5 featured a new enlarged 4.0L straight six engine which produced 282hp.
Other features included the introduction of air conditioning and electric windows. With styling by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, its gorgeous lines are still stunning to look at today.
Production lasted until 1965 where upon coupe, convertible and rare shooting brake variants were built. The DB5 was produced in very limited numbers with 887 coupes, 123 convertibles and 12 shooting brakes produced.
Naturally, the most famous DB5 is the Silver Birch gadget laden example driven by James Bond in a whole host of 007 adventures including Goldfinger, Thunderball, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall and most recently, No Time to Die. Amazing to think that when Bond producer EON Productions approached Aston Martin to use a DB5 for filming Goldfinger, they originally said no. Thankfully, Aston came around and we have the legendary Bond DB5 as it exists today.
007 associations aside, a whole host of celebrities have become DB5 owners over the years including actor and comedian Peter Sellers, Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, Jay Kay, Elle MacPherson, and Paul McCartney all owned DB5s.
Today a DB5 will set you back at least seven figures New Zealand to even get a look in. So out of the reach for many, but to those who can, a DB5 should be part of any classic car collection.
Photos Supplied by Aston Martin AUS/NZ
