We have yet another superb Aston Martin DB5 for sale.
It was described by contemporary road testers, as a car “that defies definition with many widely differing characters, that is always tailored to one’s mood of the movement”. Capable of effortless high performance, quiet and refined, yet with a most satisfying and mellifluous snarl as the mood takes one. Elegant, rare, and with impeccable breeding, it is the epitome of all that was most elegant in its time, with that unmistakable British character, yet with the design flair of the very best of Italian styling. “It is a car which challenges and satisfies and always excites”.
The DB5 made its debut in October 1963 at the London Earls Court International motor show to rave reviews. The DB5 was a logical development of the DB4, which was built from 1958. The engine was further developed and enlarged to 4 litres and as standard came with triple 2 in SUs. A Vantage version, with increased power was also available. The DB5 came with a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard.
The car we have just acquired has been the subject of a full Aston Workshop restoration. A necessarily brief description of what was involved includes:,
1. Strip and Assessment –.
A complete strip, during the course of which all of the trim, all mechanical and electrical components, glass and external bumpers (fenders) and items of external trim are removed. The front and rear body shells, and sill were then removed for access and stripped of all old paint and the chassis bead blasted to identify all of the corroded sections. Trim was carefully stored. Mechanical items were cleaned and set aside for overhaul.
2. Reconstruction
Reconstruction then commenced, initially with jigging and to provide support to the platform chassis to ensure full and accurate alignment at all times. Once in a secured stage, all sill sections, front and rear suspension mountings, outrigger sections, floors front and rear, front bulkhead, boot supports, A and B posts, bonnet closure panels, rear wheel arches and spare wheel well were either repaired or replaced as required. As new sections were installed and welded up, care was taken to ensure all enclosed sections were primed and painted and on completion the chassis was then blasted again and then primed and given a hard, flexible and very durable powder paint covering. Exposed sections were then additionally undersealed.
With the chassis in a fully restored state, the external body shell was repaired, with new panels let in as required, and doorframes and skins repaired and replaced as needed. The body shell, front and rear were then carefully refitted to the chassis, fully aligned with all bonnet, door and boot apertures carefully gapped.
The body shell was then prepared & painted by Spray-Tec. The restored bodyshell was acid-washed to remove all oxidisation, oven dried and etch primed with epoxy high-build primer. The body was then painted with Two pack lacquer in Aston Martin Silver Birch primed and painted to the highest standard..
The engine was totally remanufactured. Engine overhaul commenced with ensuring that the cylinder block was recovered to as new, with new 4.2 litre cylinder liners, forged Cosworth pistons and reassembled to original tolerances. The oil pump was renewed as a matter of course. All rotating assemblies were then fully balanced statically and dynamically. The cylinder head was fitted with new valves, guides and seats to full unleaded specification and then reassembled with new timing chains and tensioner., studs etc. External components, such as the throttle linkages were sent away to be nickel plated and refitted. The completed engine was then dyno tested and carefully run in.
Gearbox and final drive were also fully overhauled., prior to refitting, as also was the steering rack.
3. Assembly
Assembly of the car then started with fitting all new brake pipes, wiring looms and fuel lines. With the font and rear suspension components having been enamelled, the front and rear suspension was then refitted with up rated fast road Monte Carlo springs, dampers and front anti roll bar with all new bushes and pivots.. Refitting of the overhauled steering system followed. Engine and transmission were then installed, and the under-bonnet systems and components, all new, then fitted, the whole having been superbly detailed to the highest standards. Up rated radiator and air-conditioning systems were included in the final specification. The dashboard and new grey headlining were refitted with fully overhauled instruments and new switches as required. Trim was in best quality soft Bridge of Wear leather and best quality black leather bound Wilton carpet. All new glass was fitted as a matter of course, and all chromed components, such as front and rear bumpers, and window frames re-chromed to the highest standards..
The car has covered approximately 1100 miles since it was delivered to her previous owner. This car offers the new buyer the opportunity to acquire a fully restored DB5 of the highest quality at a price that no other car restored today to a similar standard could be possibly acquired.
Offered for sale with a 5 speed manual gearbox, it has bee upgraded with electronic power assisted steering and is presently RHD. It can be offered as a LHD drive at the customer’s choice. It is also equipped with full air conditioning.
This car is undoubtedly one of the very finest DB5s that are available today. With very little additional preparation, it would be a suitable car to enter a major Concours competition. The car comes with a comprehensive guarantee and full history and is very highly recommended. Customers are urged to inspect this car at the earliest opportunity.
Original Literature for the DB5:
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