A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage sold for a world record price of €414,500 (CDN$ 550,000 approximately at issue time) at the Bonhams auction held during the 'Weekend de l'Excellence Automobile' on the former site of the French Grand Prix circuit of Reims-Gueux, on Saturday 11th September 2010. It exceeded its pre-sale estimate of €300,000- 400,000.
This DB5 car is one of only seventeen left-hand drives manufactured to Vantage specification with a manual 5 speed transmission and has only had two previous owners.
A rare breed
Introduced in July 1963, the Aston Martin DB5 boasted a 4.0-litre engine, this enlarged unit having been seen first in the Lagonda Rapide of 1961. Equipped with three SU carburettors, the '400' engine produced 282bhp at 5,500rpm and was mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, a 'proper' ZF five-speed unit being standardised later. Outwardly there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the final Series 5 DB4 apart from twin fuel filler caps, though these had already appeared on some cars.
Beneath the skin however, there were numerous improvements including alternator electrics, Girling disc brakes instead of Dunlops, Sundym glass, electric windows and an oil pressure gauge as standard equipment.
From September 1964 the 314bhp, triple-Weber Vantage engine became available and was fitted to a total of 95 cars. The DB5 was also offered in convertible form (the 'Volante' name would not be applied to the soft-top Aston until the DB6's arrival) while independent coachbuilder Harold Radford offered a shooting brake conversion.
A total of 1,021 DB5s were manufactured between July 1963 and September 1965, 23 of them being convertibles and 12, shooting brakes.
An ultra-rare DB5
The ultra-rare DB5 sold at Bonhams auction comes with a letter from Aston Martin company historian and archivist, the late Roger Stowers, confirming that it is one of only 17 left-hand drive examples completed with the Vantage engine. AML's accompanying build information lists the five-speed manual gearbox, chromed wire wheels, a Motorola radio, Fiamm horns and two Marchal fog lamps as original specification. The colour scheme is listed as Silver Birch with red Connolly leather interior.
Chassis number '2217' was delivered new to Portugal via Mocar, remaining with its original owner until 1991 when it was purchased from his widow by its second owner. The car was restored in 1992, retaining the original interior, and has covered 76,419 kilometres from new.
Other good selling Astons
Four other Aston Martins made the top ten lots at this event illustrating the enduring interest in this classic brand. A 1969 DBS Vantage sold for an impressive €103,000 (CDN$ 137,000). An Aston Martin Vantage 1995, with a little over 37,000 kilometers from new sold for €92,000 (CDN$ 122,400). A 1986 V8 Volante reached €74,750 (CDN$ 100,000) and a 2003 Vanquish Coupé €59,800 (CDN$ 80,000).
In all 40 cars were registered in this auction sale held in France.
This DB5 car is one of only seventeen left-hand drives manufactured to Vantage specification with a manual 5 speed transmission and has only had two previous owners.
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| 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage (photo: Bonhams) |
A rare breed
Introduced in July 1963, the Aston Martin DB5 boasted a 4.0-litre engine, this enlarged unit having been seen first in the Lagonda Rapide of 1961. Equipped with three SU carburettors, the '400' engine produced 282bhp at 5,500rpm and was mated to a four-speed/overdrive gearbox, a 'proper' ZF five-speed unit being standardised later. Outwardly there was little to distinguish the DB5 from the final Series 5 DB4 apart from twin fuel filler caps, though these had already appeared on some cars.
Beneath the skin however, there were numerous improvements including alternator electrics, Girling disc brakes instead of Dunlops, Sundym glass, electric windows and an oil pressure gauge as standard equipment.
From September 1964 the 314bhp, triple-Weber Vantage engine became available and was fitted to a total of 95 cars. The DB5 was also offered in convertible form (the 'Volante' name would not be applied to the soft-top Aston until the DB6's arrival) while independent coachbuilder Harold Radford offered a shooting brake conversion.
A total of 1,021 DB5s were manufactured between July 1963 and September 1965, 23 of them being convertibles and 12, shooting brakes.
An ultra-rare DB5
The ultra-rare DB5 sold at Bonhams auction comes with a letter from Aston Martin company historian and archivist, the late Roger Stowers, confirming that it is one of only 17 left-hand drive examples completed with the Vantage engine. AML's accompanying build information lists the five-speed manual gearbox, chromed wire wheels, a Motorola radio, Fiamm horns and two Marchal fog lamps as original specification. The colour scheme is listed as Silver Birch with red Connolly leather interior.
Chassis number '2217' was delivered new to Portugal via Mocar, remaining with its original owner until 1991 when it was purchased from his widow by its second owner. The car was restored in 1992, retaining the original interior, and has covered 76,419 kilometres from new.
Other good selling Astons
Four other Aston Martins made the top ten lots at this event illustrating the enduring interest in this classic brand. A 1969 DBS Vantage sold for an impressive €103,000 (CDN$ 137,000). An Aston Martin Vantage 1995, with a little over 37,000 kilometers from new sold for €92,000 (CDN$ 122,400). A 1986 V8 Volante reached €74,750 (CDN$ 100,000) and a 2003 Vanquish Coupé €59,800 (CDN$ 80,000).
In all 40 cars were registered in this auction sale held in France.