Bond DB5
Probably one of the most famous cars ever built, the DB5 has featured in various James Bond movies. To this date, most of use would like to have at least some of those lovely gadgets in our own cars and I, personally haven’t met anyone who didn’t fantasise about owning this car.

Here we have a little bit of history on the car and a few photographs to reminds us how beautiful this master piece by Aston Martin really is.

The Aston Martin DB5 is a luxury grand tourer that was made by Aston Martin and designed by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Released in 1963, it was an evolution of the final series of DB4. The DB series was named honouring David Brown (the head of Aston Martin from 1947–1972). The DB5 is famous for being the first and most recognised cinematic James Bond car, first appearing in Goldfinger (1964)

The principal differences between the DB4 Series V and the DB5 are: The all-aluminium engine was enlarged from 3.7 L to 4.0 L, A new robust ZF five-speed transmission (except for some of the very first DB5s) and three SU carburettors Producing 282 bhp (210 kW), which propelled the car to 145 mph (233 km/h), this engine, available on the Vantage (high powered) version of the DB4 since March 1962, became the standard Aston Martin power unit with the launch in September 1963 of the DB5.

Standard equipment on the DB5 included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, oil cooler, magnesium-alloy body built to superleggera patent technique, full leather trim in the cabin and even a fire extinguisher. All models have two doors and are of a 2+2 configuration. A three-speed Borg-Warner DG automatic transmission was available as well. At the beginning, the original four-speed manual (with optional overdrive) was standard, but it was soon dropped in favour of the ZF five-speed. The automatic option was then changed to the Borg-Warner Model 8 shortly before the DB6 replaced the DB5.

DB5 also made an appearance as a convertible. 123 cars were built between 1963 to 1965. From 1965 Aston used the last 37 chassis to make a “Short Chassis” Volante. These later cars featured DB6 split front and rear bumpers and rear TR4 lights, as also used on the DB6.

On 1 June 2010, RM Auctions announced the upcoming auction of a DB5 used in both Goldfinger and Thunderball. The owner (Jerry Lee, president/owner of WBEB Radio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) originally bought the car from the Aston Martin company in 1969. At the auction, the DB5 was sold for 2,600,000 Pounds Sterling.

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