Chassis No. DB5/2051/L
Engine No. 400/2045

Sir David Brown's latest creation in a lineage of grand tourers carrying his initials emerged in the autumn of 1963 as the Aston Martin DB5. Its distinctive silhouette drew inspiration from its predecessor, the Series V DB4, maintaining the classic Touring-designed Superleggera coachwork draped over a 98-inch wheelbase chassis. The main external differences from the Series V DB4 included covered headlights, first seen on the short-wheelbase DB4GT by Zagato, and twin fuel filler caps adorning both rear wings. The DB5 retained the wider track and 15-inch wheels introduced with the Series V DB4 but received upgraded Girling disc brakes in place of the previous Dunlop units. The suspension was significantly enhanced, featuring adjustable front camber and Armstrong Selectaride dampers.

While outwardly similar, the DB5's most significant advancement lay beneath its elegant bodywork in the form of a Tadek Marek-designed alloy six-cylinder engine, enlarged from 3.7 to 4.0 liters. Equipped with triple S.U. carburetors as standard equipment, this enhanced powerplant delivered 282 horsepower, enabling acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed exceeding 150 mph. After approximately the first 50 cars, the model received the robust German-built ZF five-speed manual transmission, replacing the David Brown four-speed unit. Electric windows, reclining seats, wool pile carpets, and a leather-trimmed cabin ensured the DB5 was among the most refined grand tourers of the 1960s. Though produced for just two years, the DB5 achieved unprecedented fame as James Bond's vehicle of choice in the 1964 Hollywood blockbuster Goldfinger, cementing its status as perhaps the most famous Aston Martin ever made.

The Aston Martin presented here, chassis DB5/2051/L, is one of just 180 DB5s built in left-hand drive specification, denoted by the chassis number ending in "L" rather than "R." The car was completed on 1 April 1965 and dispatched five days later via British Motor Car Distributors Inc., finished in Silver Birch over Red Connolly leather interior and equipped with the ZF five-speed manual transmission. A copy of the original build sheet details its notable factory specifications, including rare Normalair air conditioning, engine breather scheme, chrome wheels, and Britax lap and diagonal front safety belts. The build sheet records Mr. Bruce B. Pierce of Hollywood, California, as the first owner, and according to previous research, the car is thought to have remained on the West Coast for the majority of its life.

In the early 2000s, DB5/2051/L underwent a comprehensive restoration in its original Silver Birch over Red leather livery, along with refinishing the brightwork and chrome wire wheels. Mechanically, the suspension system was overhauled, while the marque specialists at Steel Wings in Warminster, Pennsylvania, performed a complete rebuild of the matching-numbers engine. From 2006 to 2023, this DB5 formed part of the Academy of Art University Collection, where it received diligent maintenance and careful exercise when not displayed in a climate-controlled building. The car shows minimal evidence of the time elapsed since its restoration, a testament to both the quality of work performed and its subsequent care.

Now presented in fine mechanical and cosmetic condition since its acquisition by the current owner in 2023, this matching-numbers DB5 has received recent attention including a general fluid service and the renewal of rubber moldings. The car's exceptional quality earned it Second in Class at the 2024 Arizona Concours d'Elegance, followed by its participation in the Bond 60th Anniversary celebration at the 2024 Las Vegas Concours. It is now offered with its service book, jack, tool roll, a digital copy of its build sheet, and a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate confirming original build details.

DB5/2051/L combines the essential attributes that define the quintessential DB-era Aston Martin: rare left-hand drive configuration, a ZF five-speed gearbox, and four-wheel disc brakes. This exceptional example warrants careful consideration by collectors pursuing one of Aston Martin's most significant grand tourers, presented here in its definitive specification.