The Aston Martin DB5 is a British grand tourer produced by Aston Martin and designed by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Originally produced from 1963 to 1965, it was an evolution of the final series of the DB4, and it is best known for its role in the James Bond films, driven first by the fictional spy in Goldfinger (1964).
Aston Martin DB5 at a glance
| Produced | 1963–1965; launched September 1963 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0 L (3,995 cc) inline-six, bore and stroke 96 by 92 mm, three SU carburettors |
| Power and torque | 282 bhp at 5,500 rpm; 288 lb-ft at 3,850 rpm |
| Gearbox | ZF five-speed (a four-speed with overdrive at first); Borg-Warner three-speed automatic optional |
| Weight | 1,502 kg |
| Performance | 145 mph (233 km/h); 0–60 mph in 8 s |
| DB5 Vantage | three Weber carburettors, 325 bhp; 65 coupés built |
| Convertible | 123 built, called Volante from 1965 |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Aston Martin DB5
The principal differences between the DB4 Series V and the DB5 are the all-aluminium engine, enlarged from 3.7 to 4.0 litres; a new ZF five-speed transmission, more robust than the earlier David Brown unit (except for some of the first DB5s); and three SU carburettors. This engine produced 282 bhp and propelled the car to 145 mph; it had been available in the Vantage version of the DB4 from March 1962 and became the standard Aston Martin power unit with the launch of the DB5 in September 1963.
Standard equipment included reclining seats, wool-pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, an oil cooler, a magnesium-alloy body built to the Superleggera patent technique, full leather trim and a fire extinguisher. All models had two doors and a 2+2 seating layout. Like the DB4, the DB5 had a live rear axle. The automatic option changed to the Borg-Warner Model 8 shortly before the DB6 replaced the DB5.
Vantage and convertible
The high-performance DB5 Vantage, introduced in 1964, had three Weber carburettors and revised camshaft profiles for 325 bhp; 65 DB5 Vantage coupés were built. In December 2025 Aston Martin completed a three-year, £400,000 restoration at its Newport Pagnell works of a rare 1965 Vantage, one of only 39 built, which had been bought second-hand for £900 in 1973.
123 convertible DB5s were produced, also with bodies by Touring, though they did not carry the Volante name until 1965; the convertible was offered from 1963 to 1965 and only 19 of the 123 were left-hand drive. From October 1965 to October 1966 Aston Martin used the last 37 DB5 chassis to build another convertible model.
James Bond
The DB5 is best known for its role in the James Bond films, first driven by Bond in Goldfinger (1964). In 2013 it featured on a “British Auto Legends” postage stamp issued by the Royal Mail.
Design and features
- Engine: the all-aluminium 4.0 L straight-six, standard from 1963.
- Gearbox: a ZF five-speed that replaced the four-speed with overdrive.
- Body: Superleggera magnesium-alloy body by Touring.
- Equipment: electric windows, reclining seats, oil cooler and twin fuel tanks.
Aston Martin DB5 versions
- DB5 (1963–1965): the standard coupé.
- DB5 Vantage (1964): 325 bhp, 65 coupés.
- DB5 Convertible and Volante: 123 built from 1963 to 1965.
- Last 37 chassis: built as convertibles until October 1966.
More Aston Martin cars are in our Aston Martin collection, for example the DB4 it evolved from, the DB6 that replaced it and the DB7.
Aston Martin DB5 questions and answers
When was the Aston Martin DB5 built?
From 1963 to 1965.
Why is the DB5 famous?
It is the car James Bond first drove in Goldfinger (1964).
What engine does the DB5 have?
A 4.0 L inline-six with 282 bhp and three SU carburettors.
How fast is it?
145 mph and 0–60 mph in about 8 seconds.
How many DB5 convertibles were made?
123, with Touring bodies.
Video: James Bond 007 Original Aston Martin DB5 RM Auctions – The most famous film car
Video by mrp media on YouTube.
Sources
- Aston Martin DB5, English Wikipedia: design, specifications, variants, James Bond role
