1963→1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible
Perhaps the most famous Aston Martin because of the specially equipped silver birch DB5 that starred in the James Bond films “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball”. The DB5 made a comeback to the big screen in the 1995 film “GoldenEye”.
Regarded by many as the most beautiful Aston Martin produced, DB5 shares many similar traits to DB4. However, DB5’s most substantial change occurred under the bonnet. The 6 cylinder engine increased its capacity to 4 litres by increasing the bore to 96mm. Significant too was the introduction of a true full synchromesh ZF 5 speed gearbox. Other chassis changes included the adoption of the Girling disc brakes that had only been used on the DB4GT, and 15” wheels.
A convertible was also offered and was available with a steel hard top with an exceptionally large rear window.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1963 – 1965 |
| built at | England |
| production | 123 |
| price £/td> | £4,490 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| valvetrain | DOHC |
| displacement | 3995 cc / 243.8 in³ |
| bore | 96.01 mm / 3.78 in |
| stroke | 91.9 mm / 3.62 in |
| compression | 8.9:1 |
| power | 210.3 kw / 282.0 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 70.59 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 192.36 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 379.6 nm / 280.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Discs |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Watts Link, Trailing Links, Coil Springs |
| curb weight | 1466 kg / 3233 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2489 mm / 98.0 in |
| front track | 1377 mm / 54.2 in |
| rear track | 1359 mm / 53.5 in |
| length | 4572 mm / 180.0 in |
| width | 1676 mm / 66.0 in |
| height | 1321 mm / 52.0 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.73:1, 1.76:1, 1.23:1, 1.00:1, 0.83:1 |
| top speed | ~228.48 kph / 142 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.5 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~20.2 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~16.2 seconds |
Chassis & Sales
DB5/C/1911/R-Delivered new to a Dr. Fraser in 1965, finished in Silver Birch with a black convertible hood and burgundy hides. Largely original, re-painted to its original colour and installed a new black mohair convertible hood. Offered at RM Auctions’ Automobiles of London sale and did not sell with a high bid of £355,000.
Story by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Auction Sales History
Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company
1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible DB5/C/1920/L –
One of the 39 examples produced in left hand drive. Delivered new to the USA, ‘DB5/C/1920/L’ was purchased new by Charline Breeden, heiress to the Boettcher fortune. Originally finished in Goodwood Green with beige Connolly hide interior. Normalair air conditioning, a Bosch Koln radio, tan Everflex tonneau cover, chromed wire wheels and 3-ear hubcaps as factory fitted non-standard equipment. Today, the car is in generally excellent order, having covered only some 23,000 miles from new.
Auction Source: 2015 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible DB5C/1285/R –
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
