Aston Martin DB5 Coupe

Aston Martin DB5 Coupe

The Aston Martin DB5, produced from 1963 to 1965, is perhaps the single most recognizable automobile in the world, thanks to its starring role alongside Sean Connery in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Yet to reduce the DB5 to its cinematic fame would be a grave disservice to what was, and remains, one of the finest grand tourers ever constructed.

The DB5 evolved from the DB4 Series V, sharing its basic Superleggera tubular frame construction by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The body, designed by Touring with input from Aston Martin, represented a subtle yet significant refinement of the DB4's already gorgeous lines. The slightly raised tail, faired-in headlamps under glass covers, and elongated bonnet scoop gave the DB5 an elegance that has proven utterly timeless. Over sixty years later, the design still looks contemporary — a testament to its perfect proportions.

At the heart of the DB5 lay Tadek Marek's masterful 4.0-litre twin-cam inline-six engine. Enlarged from the DB4's 3.7 litres by increasing the bore to 96mm, the alloy-block engine produced 282 bhp at 5,500 rpm when fitted with three SU HD8 carburetors. The engine was mated to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox — a significant upgrade over the DB4's four-speed David Brown unit — which gave the car long, relaxed cruising gears while maintaining excellent acceleration through the lower ratios.

Performance was outstanding for its era. The DB5 could reach 145 mph and dispatch the 0-60 mph sprint in approximately 8.1 seconds. More importantly, it delivered its performance with a silky refinement that set it apart from more agricultural rivals. The engine note, a magnificent straight-six howl, has become one of the most evocative sounds in motoring. Autocar magazine, testing the car in 1964, described it as 'a car of immense character and breeding.'

The DB5's chassis featured independent front suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, while the rear used a live axle located by trailing links and a Watt linkage, also with coil springs. Girling disc brakes were fitted on all four corners with servo assistance, providing excellent stopping power. The steering was a Marles worm-and-roller system that offered good feel, if not the precision of a rack-and-pinion setup.

Inside, the DB5 was pure British luxury. The cabin was trimmed in Connolly leather, with a comprehensive set of Smiths instruments set in an aluminium dashboard. Reclining seats, electric windows, twin fuel fillers, and a Motorola radio were all standard equipment. The level of hand-craftsmanship was extraordinary — each DB5 required approximately 1,200 man-hours to build at the Newport Pagnell factory.

Of course, the DB5's legend was sealed when Eon Productions selected it for the third James Bond film, Goldfinger, released in 1964. The Bond car was fitted with fictional gadgets including an ejector seat, revolving number plates, oil slick dispenser, and machine guns behind the front indicators. The association between Bond and the DB5 has endured through multiple films and has made the model the most famous movie car of all time.

Only 1,023 DB5s were built — 887 coupes, 123 convertibles, and 12 shooting brakes converted by Harold Radford. This limited production, combined with the Bond association and the car's intrinsic excellence, has made the DB5 one of the most valuable and sought-after classic cars in the world. Concours-quality examples regularly exceed one million dollars, while the two original Bond film cars are essentially priceless cultural artefacts.