With the car featuring in many 007 movies, James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is probably the best car in movie history. At the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Aston Martin DB5 was praised as the "most famous car in the world." But the Aston Martin DB5 stands on its own as a luxurious sports car with a solid heritage and some very special features.
The Aston Martin DB5 produced between 1963 and 1965, has that classic feel, praised for its driving pleasure but also its aesthetic qualities such as that sensual exterior. Let's take a detailed look at the Aston Martin DB5, not forgetting its legacy in James Bond films.
9 The Start Of The DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 was created in 1963. It must be realized it was part of the evolution from the Aston Martin DB series, born from a heritage of racing where the DB1 and the DB2 competed in the Le Mans race, not to mention the DB3S.
The DB5 was designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Being the evolution of the DB4, it retained those features we loved from its predecessor, such as those smooth yet sophisticated design elements of its bodywork.
8 The DB5 In The Bond Films
James Bond is synonymous with Aston Martin and the DB5 is no different, featuring in Goldfinger (1964). It also featured in other films as one of the most awesome James Bond cars.
The DB5 has appeared in Skyfall (2012) and No Time To Die (2021), among others, not to mention featuring in video games from the James Bond franchise. It is no wonder that 50 years after the release of Goldeneye (1995), Aston Martin celebrates the DB5 with a special edition.
7 50 Years On — DB5 Goldfinger Continuation Car
The first new Aston Martin DB5 in over 50 years rolls off the line. This Continuation DB5 is limited to 25 customer cars, and they have some seriously awesome features. Under the hood, it has that 4.0 liter straight six, delivering 290 hp.
Some of the James Bond gadgets will excite any 007 fan. Some of these include rear smoke screen delivery system, driver's door telephone, simulated radar screen tracker map and remote control for gadget activation, just to name a few.
6 Look At That Body
The first thing that catches the eye with the original DB5 is that bodywork. The sensual lines along the side with the curve of that long bonnet and the roof of the coupe not only captures the classic sports car design with that Touring body but that feeling of classiness that the Aston Martin brand is known for.
It must be remembered that the DB5 came as a coupe, not to mention as a convertible. The DB5 body design was very similar to the DB4 Vantage, a reflection of its DB series evolution. As for its construction, its aluminum body panels clothes its mild steel chassis structure.
5 Under The Hood
The Aston Martin DB5 may have been a progression from the DB4, but there are features that are different, especially when looking under the hood. The DB5 had that 4.0 liter engine, enlarging the bore to 96 mm.
The DB5 featured three SU carburetors, the same as the DB4 Vantage. It also included a ZF 5 speed gearbox. Adding it all up, the DB5 could certainly move!
4 See That DB5 Move
It's not hard to connect the performance of the DB5 with the ancestry of the DB series, not only with their racing pedigree but with how they continued to be refined and to be improved. Just take a look at the stats.
The DB5 delivers 282 bhp at 5,500 rpm with top speeds of 142 mph. It's capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. It's not hard to see why it's one desired ride and why we see 007 behind its wheel.
3 Looking Inside
Sitting inside the DB5 conveys that feeling of not only nostalgia but luxury for its time. The leather upholstery with the reclining seats makes for a timeless ride. The DB5 also featured those wood-pile carpets.
The instrument cluster is quite symmetrical in the configuration of its gauges. Flanking the ammeter, the speedometer and the rev counter front and centre behind the steering wheel. Of course, there were differences to the look of that dashboard within the DB series.
2 Show Me The Numbers
From July 1963 to September 1965, 1,021 Aston Martin DB5s were produced, which included 123 convertibles and 898 coupes.
It is no doubt that the appearance of the DB5 in Goldfinger would have increased sales, and its popularity only rose with the Bond franchise. At the 1964 New York World's Fair, the DB5 was used as part of the promotion of the film. But it cannot be denied that the Aston Martin DB5 stands on its own as a very classy sports car with a solid reputation, but also a potentially lucrative option.
1 The Price
In recent years, the DB5 has gone under the hammer for some mouthwatering amounts. Paul McCartney's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 sold for a sweet $1.8 million, showing that all you need is love... for that classic DB5. We can't forget that the Aston Martin DB5 used for the Bond film went under the hammer for a jaw-dropping $4.6 million in 2010.
But let's not stop there! In 2019, the DB5 used for the promotion of Thunderball (1965) sold for a staggering $6.4 million. Oh yes, the Aston Martin DB5 is not only spectacular to look at, luxurious to drive, but can also be a nice little investment.