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UK V5
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.

Without a doubt one of the most spectacular and exclusive grand touring machines of the 20th century, Aston Martin’s DB5 represented Newport Pagnell at its very best, a period coinciding neatly with the 1960s golden era of European sports and touring car design and manufacture.

Though similar in appearance and general mechanical layout to its DB4 predecessor, 1963’s DB5 concealed a bevy of important upgrades beneath its strikingly handsome Carrozzeria Touring-designed coachwork; key among them a bump in engine displacement from 3.7 to 4.0 litres was particularly notable, raising output of Aston Martin’s fabulously smooth and sonorous twin-cam straight six from 266 to 282 hp. Even more tellingly, torque rose significantly from 255 lbs./ft. to a robust and willing 280.

Comfortably ensconced within this now legendary coachwork, privileged Aston Martin DB5 drivers were afforded a distinctly refined driving experience, much of which came courtesy of its newly standardized, fully synchromesh five-speed gearbox. Significantly quieter and easier to operate than the infamous David Brown-designed four-speed it replaced, the German-engineered ZF unit complemented the smooth, torque-rich delivery of Tadek Marek’s famous dual overhead cam straight six, itself now specified with three sidedraft SU carburetors even in standard, non-Vantage form.

Of the 1,021 DB5s built between 1963 and 1965, only 123 were convertibles; just 84 were right-hand-drive examples such as the car presented here. A copy of its original build record on file shows that chassis DB5C/1504/R was sold new to W. Morris Esq. of Brasted, Kent, England, on June 3, 1964, and finished in California Sage over a red Connolly leather interior. A total purchase price of £4,691 included extras such as a nonstandard hood color, Armstrong Selectaride-equipped suspension, a Motorola radio (which illuminates with an Aston Martin logo when powered on), and a power-retractable aerial.

Coming into the current owner’s possession in 1987, when he traded his DB5 Coupe toward it, the convertible has lived life along with him and his family, witnessing a proposal, serving as the family wedding car on two occasions, and having a securely belted child’s car seat in the center of the rear seat for his children, then grandchildren.

In about 2011, the consignor located an extremely rare removable hardtop for the DB5 – one of as few as seven made. In addition to the crispness it adds to the car’s road manners, it creates a sophisticated look, recalling the very rare and elegant notchback coupe versions of prior Aston Martin models of the David Brown era.

Though the convertible remains in largely unrestored and carefully preserved condition, it has benefited from regular care and maintenance as demonstrated by invoices and receipts on file spanning half a century. Documented work ranges from routine mechanical adjustments to a rebuild of the engine, during which a new, unnumbered replacement block was fitted, and its cylinder head was upgraded with modern valves and valve seats for lead-free petrol. The beautifully preserved original interior is of particular note, and it matches beautifully with the burgundy hardtop and the recently re-trimmed red Everflex hood, which stows neatly beneath its leather cover when lowered. The consignor reports that the DB5 Convertible received a bare-metal respray in classic Silver Birch in 2019, and the rear axle was rebuilt in 2021, underscoring his long-standing commitment to keep the rare Aston Martin in top cosmetic and mechanical condition. This is further evidenced by the fact that the car comes with one year MOT from July 2024, with no advisories.

The sale of any DB5 is worthy of attention; however, chances to own a factory Convertible are exceedingly rare. With its removable hardtop, original red hides, current passionate ownership term approaching four decades, and outstanding overall presentation, savvy collectors and devotees of the Aston Martin marque should take note, as this is an opportunity to be seized.