Aston Martin DB5

By many, the Aston Martin DB5 considered the most beautiful Aston Martin ever built. This DB5 shows many similarities to the DB4 and was built between 1963 and 1965. However, the most significant change to the DB5 took place under the hood. The engine displacement was increased to 4 liters, resulting in a power output of 282 hp. The car had three SU carburetors, as fitted to the DB4 Vantage, and also shared the same headlights. With a weight of over 1500 kilos, the DB5 had a top speed of 230 km/h and went from 0 to 100 in 7,1 seconds.

Aston Martin DB5 with Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger

History and background

The Aston Martin DB5 was introduced in 1963 as the successor to the DB4 and almost immediately grew into the most famous model the brand has ever built. Not only because it was a beautiful evolution of its predecessor, but primarily because James Bond drove it onto the silver screen in Goldfinger in 1964. Since then, the DB5 has been inextricably linked to 007 and is regarded by many as the ultimate combination of British elegance and muscular performance.

Technically, the DB5 was largely based on the DB4 Series V, but Aston Martin had certainly implemented improvements. The chassis was refined, a 4,0-liter engine became standard, and the car received more modern technologies such as a 5-speed gearbox. Production ran until 1965, and in that short time, the DB5 managed to leave an indelible mark on the history of sporty luxury cars.

Compared to the DB4, significant changes were implemented in the form of Girling disc brakes, which had only been used on the DB4GT, along with 15” wheels. Additionally, this model received electric windows and dual hydraulic servos. A Vantage version was also released featuring 3 Weber carburetors and more power. Furthermore, a convertible version with an optional hardtop was introduced, and a small number of examples were built as a 'shooting break'. In total, only 1023 examples were built between 1963 and 1965. The model was succeeded by the Aston Martin. DB6.

Design and interior

In terms of design, the DB5 was a masterpiece by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, with the elegant Superleggera construction that managed to combine lightness and style. The car retained the long bonnet and the balanced proportions of the DB4, but looked slightly more mature and refined. Its flowing lines, chrome details, and that typical Aston grille ensured that you knew immediately that you were dealing with something special.

Inside, the DB5 exuded pure British luxury. Think top-quality leather, wood trim, and a dashboard full of classic Smiths gauges. Despite its sporty character, the DB5 felt more like a comfortable grand tourer than a hardcore sports car. You could easily drive it to the South of France without back pain – as long as you didn't stop too often to explain that you weren't a secret agent.

The interior of the Aston Martin DB5

Model variants

The DB5 appeared as a coupé and a Volante convertible, the latter being particularly exclusive and sought after. In addition, there was the DB5 Vantage, which received some extra power thanks to three Weber carburetors and sharper engine tuning.

The top model was the DB5 Vantage, which, with its 325 hp and approximately 390 Nm of torque, achieved a top speed of 230 km/h and managed the sprint to 100 km/h in about 6,5 seconds. In the 60s, that was downright impressive, and it ensured that the Aston Martin could easily compete with the fastest Italian sports cars of the time.

The DB5 Shooting Brake was not built by Aston Martin itself, but by coachbuilder Harold Radford. The idea came from David Brown himself (the “DB” in DB5), who wanted a sports car in which he could also take his hunting dogs and golf clubs along. A bit like a Range Rover avant la lettre, but a lot more stylish.

Aston Martin DB5

Competitors

The DB5 found itself in illustrious company. Its competitors included the Jaguar E-Type Series 1, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, and the Maserati 3500 GT. All beautiful cars, but none of them had Sean Connery behind the wheel and machine guns behind the headlights; that certainly made a difference in marketing.

The successor to the DB5 was the Aston Martin DB6, which was introduced in 1965. The DB6 offered more space and an aerodynamically improved rear end with the distinctive Kamm tail, but the design of the DB5 remains the ultimate Aston Martin silhouette for many.