The Immortal Elegance of the DB5
Luxurious; fast; elegance in its purest form; a true icon of how cars can be elevated to moving art pieces
Hi there. And once again, welcome back on Iron Masters.
Last time we explored Italy’s little legend, the Fiat 500. Now I think we can all agree that the 500 is a car that, divisive as it might be, is an iconic car in its own right. But, speaking of icons, that’s not exactly what what we’re going to talk about today. Because this car is one of the most elegant and refined vehicle that ever came out of ol’England. Of course, we’re talking about the Aston Martin DB5.
While personal preferences and expectations must be taken into account when discussing such complex topics, given the ample choice available, I truly believe that the DB5 is the car the can truly embody what a British icon should be. After all, it’s a car that transcends the confines of the motor world, partly thanks to its associations with the eye catching and utterly famous franchise born out of the masterful pen of Ian Fleming. Still…why does this timeless icon hold such a special place in the hearts of fan and collectors alike?
To really understand the how, we must first take a trip back to the 1960s.
You see, the DB5, which was first introduced to the market in 1963 as the successor of the DB4, was the fifth evolution of the DB1; it is the very first car that came out of Aston Martin with the badge DB mounted on.
While the entire DB line has always been something born to impress, the DB5 has something more than its predecessor. It didn’t take long before it became a symbol of refined elegance and power. Sure, the powerful engine mounted underneath the sleek and sensual lines of the bonnet strongly contributed to its commercial success. But it was thanks in no small part to its design and ample media cover that the DB5 really ascended the Olympus of the car world.
I’m pretty sure most of you have became aware of this automotive masterpiece thanks to its famous appearances in the hands of the world most famous secret agent, James Bond. Sure, the one pictured in the 1964 movie Goldfinger was far from the stock version, with its gadget-laden version causing awe among many car lovers; but that wasn’t the only appearance the DB5 made on the big screen.
Leaving aside the entire world Ian Fleming penned down, the DB5 made some sporadic appearances on the 1971 tv series “The Persuaders!”, and in “The Saint”, which was notably known for starring Roger Moore before his Bond days.
As you can see, the DB5 was marketed just right.
But, even with such ample media coverage, if the DB5 didn’t have such a fine dress to cover the powerful heart beating inside her iron vestige, she wouldn’t have stood out against the competition. Thankfully, that has not been the case.
Whatever you’re into classic cars or not, you’ve got to admit that the DB5 has aged like a fine wine. While its appearance is most certainly vintage by today’s standards, we cannot deny the majestic work that Aston Martin did with it. Or better, the designer did. Speaking off, who exactly penned down the lines of this timeless classic? Surely it was all done by their design team, right? After all, Aston Martin still celebrate this car nowadays.
Surprise of the surprises, the DB5 owns its timeless and captivating lines to a collaboration between Aston Martin and an Italian company called Carrozzeria Touring. It was thanks to the chief designer of this Milan based body shop, a man called Aldo Bozzini, and the chief engineer of Aston Martin, John Wyer, that the DB5 came out the way it did.
As we’ve already said before, it was immediately a hit.
However, not all blessing come wrapped in gifts.
While the commercial success of the DB5 proved to be a blessing for the Gaydon based company, the same didn’t prove to be true for the Italian body shop. For reasons that are closely related to financial struggles, Carrozzeria Touring closed down in 1966, after exactly forty years since its founding. Such a sad end for the shop that modelled the DB5…
Still, Aston Martin was raking in orders after orders. And that was all that mattered. Well, aside for the finishing touches, which had to be immaculate. After all, the colours had to reflect the brand’s image of elegance and power.
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It’s no wonder than that the most famous of the all is Silver Birch, thanks to its role in the cinematographic series of James Bond. But let’s not forget colours like Black, or the Aston Martin exclusive colour, Aston Martin Green, a classic that enhances the sensual and elegant lines that we all love. Still, that wasn’t all. The palette was ampler than that. As always, if you’re curious about it, check out this link for reference: https://www.supercars.net/blog/1964-aston-martin-db5-gallery/
The same approach was applied on the interiors, with fine Leather being offered in some colours that could really match with the paint, like Black, Red, and Tan.
Now, as always, here on Iron Masters we talk about tuning; about body kits. But with this timeless classic, things are a little bit more complicated than normal.
Don’t get me wrong.
If done right, I see nothing wrong in modifying a DB5.
Problem is, there are no premade kits, or body parts for that matter, that can be purchased from the get go. The only real option, for those of you really seeking to modify this classic, is to seek out a competent body shop that is also willing to work on such a priced possession. Personally I think the DB5 could greatly benefit from a bumper delete work; or the appliance of some wider fender flares. Nothing too crazy though, or you’ll ruin its masterfully crafted appearance.
Now, on to the part we all love talking about: the engine. What lies under the hood?
While the design is the thing that almost immediately catches the eye, the DB5 comes doeas’t lack in terms of power. Equipped with a 4.0L inline 6, 2 vavles per cylinder, DOHC, a rework of the engine that came equipped under the previous gen.
Sure, nowadays 282 Hp and a little less than 400 Nm of torque are not as jaw dropping as they used to be. But you’ve got to consider that this engine is more than 60 years old. For the time it came out, it really packed a punch. And that’s for the base version. For those looking for the Vantage one, the Hp raises to 325. Which, coupled with the five-speed manual transmission, it makes for a really fun car to drive; one that could let enjoy a smooth, relaxing ride, or provide quite a bit of entertainment.
But…should you consider upgrading it? Is the engine good for tuning purposes?
The answer is a muddy one.
The DB5, regardless of version and specs, is a collector item. And as such, it is worth a lot. Keep in mind that any modifications that are classified as irreversible are going to lower by a lot the total value of it. Should it be modified, then? I say, why not?
For those looking to gain some performance while staying true to the original engine, you could mount a better flowing exhaust and manifolds; maybe replace the carburettors for a better fuel system. Or maybe even mount a batter camshaft. The DB5 is getting on with the years. Any of those upgrades could really bring her back to the place she deserves. And those are all reversible upgrades.
Instead, if we really want to push this engine to the best it could perform, we’ll have to replace all the internal components with brand new ones. It would also be wise to somehow engineer a 4 valves per cylinder; though, given the car at hand, things get real expensive real fast. Not that you’ll have those kinds of problems if you’re considering buying one.
A DB5, like most Aston Martin, is expensive. Like, really expensive. But…how much?
For one used on any of the James Bond franchise, things are reaaaaly costly. Prices higher than 4 million euros are a normal occurrence. A normal one? Depending on the usual aspects that must be taken into account, it should be priced between the 700k and the 1.5 million euro.
So, most likely, you’re not going to buy one. Because for the kind of money needed you could purchase a bunch of other cars worth having and still have quite a sum left. But maybe the DB5 is more than car. Maybe it’s the kind of item that has the abilities to catapult us inside the world Ian Flaming created with his writings. Or maybe it’s a statement. One of elegance and refined tastes. And that, perhaps, is almost priceless.
Until next time.
P.s. If you’ve got any cars, motorcycle, or any other thing that has a motor in it that you want me to write about, please let me know!
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