• Offered from The 20th Century Collection
• A rare opportunity to acquire an intriguing restoration project
• Originally finished in Silver Birch over Dark Blue Connolly leather; now finished in a shade of silver blue
• Powered by a replacement 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six engine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox
• A UK-delivery example that was exported to Australia in the 1970s, and subsequently exported to the Middle East under current ownership
• An ideal contender for restoration

When the Aston Martin DB5 first broke cover in 1963, it became at a stroke one of the most desirable and sought after grand tourers ever created. Described by Autocar as “a car that defies definition”, the DB5 was all things to all men, as adept at storming the newly opened M1 motorway as it was burbling along quiet London mews—providing you could afford the £4,248 price of admission.

Already an object of desire for well-heeled automotive enthusiasts, Aston Martin’s DB5 became an icon after being thrust into the limelight while starring alongside Sean Connery in the 1965 spy thriller Goldfinger. Immortalised in celluloid, the Silver Birch dream machine became an overnight sensation that would alter, indelibly and forever, public perception not only of the model, but of the Newport Pagnell company as a whole.

Chassis 2147/R left Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell works in May 1965, finished in the stunning colour combination of Silver Birch over a Dark Blue Connolly leather interior and supplied by Francis Motors. The factory guarantee was made to a Mr. David John Brough of Nottinghamshire, with a later owners noted as B. Davis Ltd of Potters Bar and a gentleman from Wales.

By the end of the 1960s, the factory ledger notes that the Aston Martin had a recorded mileage reading of 44,154, and shortly after this the car was exported to Australia—thought to be around the beginning of the 1970s. Here, it was owned by Mr. Bill Rankin, who painted the car white to match his Aston Martin V8, and had the engine replaced with a unit numbered “400/4163/S”. In 1978, he sold the car to Raymond Millington of Kenthurst. Millington sold to Geoff Venn in 1980, who in turn sold it to C.J. Shilton who, according to the Aston Martin Owner’s Club, owned chassis 2147/R between 1986 and 1987. Bob Kirk of Victoria acquired the car in 1988, and sold to the next owner in 1998. In February 2002 the car was sold at auction, and by 2004 it was owned by an enthusiast in Victoria.

When purchased by the consignor, chassis 2147/R was exported to Kuwait, where it has remained in storage. Today, the car is finished in a silver metallic blue, over a dark blue leather interior. It is a true “blank canvas” restoration project that presents an ideal opportunity for its next owner to stamp their mark during the rebuild of an iconic British sports car.

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot est entré dans l'UE sous couvert d'une autorisation d'importation temporaire, qui doit être annulée soit en exportant le lot en dehors de l'UE avec une lettre de débarquement approuvé accompagné des documents douaniers nécessaires, soit en payant la TVA et les droits d'importation applicables pour que le lot reste dans l'UE.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mc24/.