It’s often said that they “don’t build them like they used to” and this seems particularly true of cars because, quite frankly, the vehicles from the 50s and 60s are in a league of their own so far as aesthetics are concerned. To admirably illustrate this point, we present to you this stunning 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible which is going under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s and would not look out of place with James Bond behind the wheel.
This glorious looking 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible from RM Sotheby’s was built as a show car for the Salón Internacional del Automóvil de Barcelona and it is incredibly rare being one of just 39 DB5 Convertibles specified in left-hand drive. It boasts a Concours-quality restoration at Aston Martin Works Ltd, the historic home of the marque; matching-numbers chassis and engine and it is finished in California Sage over Red Connolly leather, with ultra-rare matching factory hard top.
The chassis of this devilishly dapper steed was sand-blasted, properly aligned, and finished in factory-correct colours, with a high attention to detail that included applying red oxide paint in each of the foot wells. On the inside, the cabin was fully re-trimmed, with rebuilt seats finished in the correct Red Connolly hide, complemented by brand-new carpets and headlining. The original straight-six engine was fully stripped and rebuilt, with light modifications which included addition of hardened valve seats, replacement of rubber hoses with modern silicone, and modification of the cooling jacket waterways. The Weber carburettors were upgraded to the latest “Works” specification.
On top of being a hugely desirable convertible variant with an enviable period motor show history, this Aston Martin DB5—with matching-numbers chassis and engine—benefits from an the comprehensive restoration at the hands of leading marque experts Aston Martin Works Ltd. It has been finished to an incredibly high standard in the unusual and deeply attractive shade of California Sage, this sophisticated open example of Aston Martin’s iconic DB5 is without doubt one of the best of the breed, most deserving of its place in a leading collection of coach-built grand tourers.
Image Source: I Pokotylo / Shutterstock
