Aston Martin DB5
British grand tourer famed for its James Bond association.
The Aston Martin DB5 is a British grand tourer (GT) produced by Aston Martin and designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. The model was built from 1963 to 1965 and was a direct evolution of the final series of the DB4. The "DB" initials refer to David Brown, who had built up the company from 1947. The principal mechanical differences from its predecessor included a new all-aluminium engine enlarged from 3.7 to 4.0 litres, a more robust ZF five-speed transmission that replaced the earlier David Brown unit on most cars, and triple SU carburettors. This engine had first been available in the high-powered Vantage version of the DB4 from March 1962 and became the standard power unit with the DB5’s launch in September 1963. Standard equipment featured reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, an oil cooler, a magnesium-alloy body built using the Superleggera technique, full leather trim, and a fire extinguisher. All models had two doors and a 2+2 seating configuration. The DB5 retained a live rear axle. Initially, a four-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive was standard, but it was soon replaced by the ZF five-speed unit; a three-speed Borg-Warner DG automatic was also available, later changed to the Model 8 before the DB6 arrived. The car is best known for its role in the James Bond films, first driven by the spy in *Goldfinger* (1964). In 2013, it appeared on a "British Auto Legends" postage stamp issued by the Royal Mail.
- Designer
- Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera
- 0–60 mph acceleration
- 8 seconds
- Body style
- Two-door, 2+2 seating grand tourer
Lore & Background
The Aston Martin DB5 is a British grand tourer produced between 1963 and 1965, designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. It evolved directly from the final series of the DB4, with its "DB" initials referencing David Brown, who controlled the company from 1947. The car is most famous for its role in the James Bond film *Goldfinger* (1964). The principal mechanical upgrade over the DB4 was a new all-aluminium 4.0-litre inline-six engine, replacing the earlier 3.7-litre unit, which produced 282 bhp and gave a top speed of 145 mph. A more robust ZF five-speed manual gearbox was standard, though early examples used a four-speed unit with optional overdrive, and a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic was also offered. The body was built using the Superleggera patent technique with magnesium-alloy panels. Standard fittings included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, an oil cooler, full leather interior, and a fire extinguisher. The car had a 2+2 seating layout and retained a live rear axle. A high-performance DB5 Vantage variant, introduced in 1964, used three Weber carburettors and revised camshafts to produce 325 bhp; 65 coupés were built. A convertible version was produced from 1963 to 1965, with 123 examples made, though the "Volante" name was not used until 1965. The final 37 DB5 chassis were used for a separate convertible model known as the "Short Chassis" Volante, which featured DB6-style split bumpers and Triumph TR4 rear lights. A prototype shooting-brake was built for David Brown, and 11 or 12 coupés were custom-modified by coachbuilder Harold Radford.
Reader's Guide
The Aston Martin DB5 is a British grand tourer produced from 1963 to 1965, designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Its "DB" initials honor David Brown, who controlled the company from 1947. The DB5 evolved from the final DB4 series, featuring an enlarged 4.0-litre all-aluminium engine, a more robust ZF five-speed transmission (replacing an earlier unit), and three SU carburettors. Standard equipment included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, an oil cooler, a magnesium-alloy body, full leather trim, and a fire extinguisher. It had a 2+2 seating configuration and a live rear axle. A high-performance DB5 Vantage variant, introduced in 1964, used three Weber carburettors and revised camshafts. A convertible model was also produced, with 123 built, and a rare shooting-brake version was custom-built for David Brown. The DB5 is most famous for its role in the James Bond film *Goldfinger* (1964), after special effects expert John Stears modified a prototype. Four cars were used for the film: two for filming and two for promotion. One filming car, originally Dubonnet Red, later appeared in *The Cannonball Run* (1981) and was stolen in 1997. The DB5’s association with Bond continued in later films, cementing its status as the quintessential Bond vehicle and a classic British grand tourer. In 2013, it appeared on a Royal Mail "British Auto Legends" stamp.
Design & Engineering Evolution
Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera shaped the magnesium-alloy body using their patented Superleggera technique, giving the car a featherweight yet rigid structure. A new ZF five-speed manual gearbox replaced the earlier David Brown unit, offering greater robustness, while a three-speed Borg-Warner DG automatic remained as an option. Standard luxuries included full leather trim, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, and a fire extinguisher, all arranged in a 2+2 two-door layout.
The Bond Connection & Cultural Impact
Author Ian Fleming had originally written Bond into a DB Mark III, but Stears convinced the company to use the newer model instead. In total four DB5s were prepared for the production: two for actual filming and two for promotional duties.
Variants & Special Bodies
Beyond the standard coupé, the DB5 spawned several distinctive variants that expanded its appeal. A rare factory option was a steel removable hard top. The most unusual variant was the shooting brake: a prototype was custom-built for David Brown himself, an avid hunter and dog owner, and another 11 or 12 coupés were converted by independent coachbuilder Harold Radford, again using Triumph tail lights that would later carry over to the DB6.
Auction Records & Restoration
The DB5 has become one of the most coveted collector cars in the world, with auction results reflecting its rarity and cultural significance. The car, finished in silver birch with a higher-output engine, was one of only 39 built.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
Some people may assume the DB5 was an entirely new model, but it was actually an evolution of the DB4, with key upgrades including a larger 4.0-litre aluminium engine and a new ZF five-speed transmission. Another common error is thinking the DB5 was only available as a coupé—while most were, a prototype shooting-brake was custom-built for David Brown, and a small number of coupés were modified into shooting-brakes by Harold Radford.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The Aston Martin DB5 endures as a cultural icon not just for its engineering, but for its indelible association with James Bond, which cemented it as the ultimate symbol of British sophistication and espionage. Its blend of handcrafted luxury—from wool pile carpets to electric windows—and genuine performance capabilities ensured it remained a benchmark for grand tourers long after production ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who shaped the Aston Martin DB5's bodywork?
Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera was responsible for the exterior design, applying their trademark lightweight tubular-frame technique. The outcome is a long, flowing two-door silhouette that many enthusiasts still consider one of the most elegant GT profiles ever made.
How does the DB5 relate to the earlier DB4?
Rather than being a ground-up redesign, the DB5 was a direct evolution of the last DB4 series, inheriting its core mechanical layout while receiving updated trim, minor mechanical revisions, and the Touring-designed body. It effectively closed out a generation of Aston Martin grand tourers.
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