The Aston Martin DB5 Sports Car

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe Image

from Classic to Modern

Aston Martin DB5 Coupe

The Aston Martin DB4 sports car evolution ended with the DB4 GT Zagato, production of which ceased in 1963.

This was succeeded, in late 1963, by the Aston Martin DB5, a luxury 2+2 fixed head coupe, that was designed by the well know Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, and included covered headlights.

It was powered by an alloy 4 litre, straight-six, DOHC engine, that developed 282 bhp at 5500 rpm, and 288 ft/lbs of torque at 3850 rpm.

Fitted with a David Brown five speed manual gearbox (all synchromesh ZF box as an option, as was a three speed Borg Warner automatic), an 8.9:1 compression, and triple SU carburettors, it produced a top speed of 143 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 secs.

It had magnesium-alloy body panels on a steel platform chassis, with a curb weight of 1565 kg, which produced both light weight and strength, plus Girling disc brakes all round.

In terms of the interior, standard fitments included leather trim, deep woollen carpets, electric windows, reclining seats, wire wheels, and even an oil cooler.

When production ended in 1965, 887 units of the DB5 coupe had been built.

The DB5 subsequently developed a following who regarded it as the most desirable and beautiful of all cars produced by Aston Martin up to that time.

In an historical footnote, the original prototype DB5, plus an additional standard DB5, were used in the 1964 James Bond film "Goldfinger", as well as being showcased at the World Fair in New York that same year.

Technical Data DB5 DB4 DB4 GT Zagato
Production 1963-1965   1958-1963         1960-1963
Engine, cc 3995 3670                   3670
Cylinders, bhp 6, 282           6, 240                 6, 314
Torque ft/lbs 288 240 279
Top Speed mph 143 141 154
0-60 mph, secs 8.1 8.5 6.1
0-100 mph, secs 25.7 21.0 14.1
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 16.0 16.1 14.5

1964 Aston Martin DB5 This 1963-65 classic used a 282 bhp, 4 litre, straight-6, which gave it a 143 mph top with 0-60 in 8.0 secs. A dramatic pic

1965 Aston Martin DB5 This gorgeous Aston was seen during the 2015 London to Brighton Classic Car Run

1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe Image

1965 Aston Martin DB5

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Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

In October 1963, the convertible variant was introduced, with body styling also by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, and priced at £4,490, a 5% premium to the coupe.

An interesting distinguishing feature was that the dashboard was finished in the same colour as the external panels.

A steel hardtop, with an unusually large rear window, was offered as an optional extra. The power plant and mechanics were as per the coupe.

With production of the coupe ending in 1965, from October 1965 for the next 12 months, the convertible used the remaining 37 DB5 chassis, and was duly designated as the DB5 Volante sports car.

These variants differed from the earlier DB5 convertibles by incorporating the split front and rear bumpers, used in the forthcoming DB6, and using rear lights from the Triumph TR4.

When production ended in 1967, a combined total of 123 units of the convertible were built, with 12 being fitted with the more powerful Vantage engine.

1963 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible Image

Aston Martin DB5 Vantage

In September 1964, a variant of the DB5 coupe was launched, and designated the DB5 Vantage sports car.

The outstanding feature was the modification of the coupe engine with the addition of:

An improved intake manifold
A head containing larger inlet ports
Alterations to the ignition timing
A redesigned camshaft
Increasing compression to 9.4:1
3 twin choke Weber carburettors

This resulted in an engine that developed 325 bhp at 5000 rpm, and 288 ft/lbs of torque at 3850 rpm.

Fitted with a robust all synchromesh, ZF five speed manual gearbox, this produced a top speed of 162 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 secs.

By the time production ended in 1965, only 65 units of the DB5 Vantage variant were built.

Technical Data                  DB5 Vantage DB5 DB4 GT Zagato
Production 1964-1965       1963-1965          1960-1963
Engine, cc 3995 3995                    3670
Cylinders, bhp 6, 325 6, 282 6, 314
Torque ft/lbs 288 288 279
Top Speed mph 162 143 154
0-60 mph, secs 5.9 8.1 6.1
0-100 mph, secs 13.9                 25.7                      14.1
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 14.3                 16.0 14.5

Aston Martin DB5 Engine Image

Aston Martin DB5 Estate

In order to cater for the hunting fraternity, and dog lovers in general, Aston Martin introduced the estate version of the DB5, which was designated the DB5 Shooting Brake.

Accordingly, the specialist coachbuilder, Howard Radford, modified the rear section of around twelve DB5 coupes, to produce this limited edition variant.

As with the Volante, the tail lights were courtesy of the Triumph TR4 sports car.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake Image

COMPETITION

Typical competitors of the Aston Martin DB5 included the following sports cars: Ferrari 250 GTO, and the 2+2 Jaguar E-Type Series 2

Jaguar Ferrari
Technical Data DB5 Vantage E-Type S2 2+2 250 GTO
Production 1964-1965 1968 1963
Engine, cc 3995 4235 2953
Cylinders, bhp 6, 325 6, 266 12, 296
Torque ft/lbs 288 283 217
Top Speed mph 162 150 174
0-60 mph, secs 5.9 6.1 4.4
0-100 mph, secs 13.9 16.0 -
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 14.3 14.9 12.7