Javier F. Zardon
Creative… lineage. The legacy of the abbreviation: “The David Brown era gave us great Aston Martin sports cars, although none as recognised, revered and desirable as the DB5, which laid the foundations of our identity as a brand, synonymous with style, performance and exclusivity.” Lawrence Stroll, brand director, doesn’t mind dressing up when it comes to complimenting…the “Birthday Boy.”
In 1963, Aston Martin was very popular, with sales of the DB4 having increased since its launch in 1958; By not resting on its laurels, the manufacturer responded strongly to the commercial pressures of its opponents: Frankfurt Motor Show, September 1963… The arrival of the “5”: renewed design, greater equipment and more power; It was produced at the parent company in Newport Pagnell-Buckinghamshire, for just over two years, in closed and convertible versions.
The “Swing Sixties” were launched and, one might say, “crowded” around the DB5, Bond… James Bond, plus a whole list of celebrities: Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison (The Beatles), Mick Jagger (Rolling Stone) and the maestro of comedy Peter Sellers . Who would be joined in later years by Robert Plant, Jay Kay, Elle Macpherson and Ralph Lauren.
This attraction to celebrities ended up being a real springboard for the protagonist – and also for its manufacturer – although, oddly enough, to its credit – or perhaps because – only 887 units of the DB5 saloon, 123 convertibles and dozens of hand-built cars were registered. . Shooting brakes were in small quantities, even at the time, considering that in 1963, UK car production exceeded 1.8 million units.
Power…and glory. The trans-alpine Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera was responsible for decorating the “world’s fastest 4-seater GT”, as the ad said: 240 per hour at top speed – 60 years ago! – Thanks to the 4.0-litre, 282bhp engine resulting from a modification of the initial 3.7-litre V6 with double overhead camshaft that powers the DB4. Additional “power”, the DB5 was enhanced by a series of technical modifications and modifications to innovative equipment that was not common at the time: electric windows and optional air conditioning, to satisfy increasingly demanding customers.
The result: the DB5 not only laid the foundations of the ‘identity’, it not only put the world’s most famous secret agent behind the wheel… it reaffirmed – even then – the pillars of the manufacturer… With a century – and another 10 years – of the date.
Six decades after its birth, the DB5, like few other cars, still retains its iconic status as an iconic model: 5…DB5.
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