Registration - AJW 646B

Chassis - DB5/1614/R

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 57,399

It is impossible to know how the DB5 would be viewed today had it not been immortalised by the James Bond franchise, which instantly transported it from the role of highly-desirable, hand-crafted GT car to one of the most lusted-after motorcars of all time. Then there’s the rarity factor – fewer than 900 coupe versions were produced in period, of which the DVLA can currently account for just 388. Good ones therefore retain their value and continue to be eagerly sought by aficionados of the model, so one can reasonably expect this notably well-presented low-owner, low-mileage, matching-numbers example to attract strong interest.

According to its accompanying paperwork, chassis DB5/1614/R came off-line at Newport Pagnell in the spring of 1964. Its Sierra blue paintwork was matched to fawn-coloured Connolly leather upholstery – the same attractive livery in which the car is still adorned 59 years later. Its factory-fitted equipment included: triple SU HD8 carburettors, Armstrong Selectaride dampers, Powr-Lok limited slip differential, Dunlop RS5 tyres and a heated rear screen.

The DB5 was delivered new to Cyril Williams Motors Ltd and then first registered in Wolverhampton on June 11, 1964 to Messrs William Sharp (Birmingham) Ltd for the benefit of Philip Horton, in the care of whose family it then remained for the ensuing 41 years. For much of that time it was maintained by Andy Chapman of marque specialist Chapman Spooner, and is on record as successfully contesting AMOC concours events as early 1966. Having passed a thorough inspection by former factory service manager Colin Thew, the Aston’s next keeper was noted photographer David Campbell, who acquired the car in the spring of 2005. Throughout his tenure it was maintained by Post Vintage Engineers (PVE) whose improvements included the installation of a high-capacity radiator, stainless steel exhaust system and unleaded cylinder head conversion. It was via them that the DB5 next changed hands, this time to the stewardship of solicitor Peter Mimpriss of Nayland, Suffolk in 2009. Prior to him taking delivery, PVE completely rebuilt the engine and increased its capacity from 4.0 to 4.2 litres – the company also installed an air conditioning system, Becker radio and boot-mounted CD multi-changer. Mimpriss is on record as having enjoyed the Aston on fault-free tours of Spain, Scotland and Northern England. The fourth keeper, Michael Wilson, continued the relationship with PVE, and it was on his watch that ‘AJW 646B’ was retrimmed in Connolly VM3234 to original specification, the glass all renewed, much of the brightwork re-chromed, and power steering fitted by Aston Engineering Ltd.

The latest keeper purchased the Aston from the Bonhams auction of June 2018, and has recently treated it to a comprehensive service courtesy of a renowned Aston Martin marque specialist. The vendor presently has no hesitation in describing the enlarged twin-cam engine, five-speed manual ZF gearbox, bodywork, paintwork and interior trim as all being in ‘excellent’ order, and is now offering this splendid example of a much treasured model complete with a comprehensive history file that includes: Heritage Certificate, the original manufacturer’s guarantee, numerous items of correspondence, a copy of the log book from the car’s spell on the Isle of Man (during which it was registered ‘1964 MN’), plus sundry invoices for work caried out over the years.

The famed DB5 was a direct development of the Aston Martin DB4 Series V model. The major differences comprised an increase in engine capacity from 3.7 to 4.0-litres and (with the exception of a few early examples) an upgrade from David Brown four-speed manual transmission to a five-speed ZF unit. Production ran from 1963 to 1965, during which a total of 1,059 coupes, convertibles and shooting brakes were created. The DOHC engine’s 282bhp was sufficient to propel the ‘Superleggera’-bodied four-seaters to 60mph in around 8.0 seconds and on to a terminal speed of some 145mph.

In summary

• An exquisite five-owner, 57,399-mile, matching numbers example
• Equipped with LSD, power steering and air-conditioning
• Engine comprehensively rebuilt and enlarged to 4.2-litres in 2009