Purchased for a song, this Aston Martin DB5 rises from the dead thanks to a meticulous factory restoration. Just imagine, a car that has mingled with legends like James Bond regaining its former glory after years of neglect. We tell you this incredible resurrection story.
A Love Story and Passion
James Bond made it famous, and for many, the DB5 is the Aston Martin par excellence. This somewhat tired car changed hands in the early 1970s for less than 1,000 pounds. Today, it has undergone a complete transformation at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell.
John Williams, a Welshman trained as a welder, was an 18-year-old young man when he decided to buy the car of his dreams in 1972. With his savings, he managed to gather the sum of 900 pounds — the equivalent of about 17,000 euros today, inflation included. For comparison, even the most degraded models now reach peaks around 150,000 euros! In September 1973, just after his 19th birthday, he took the train from Wales to London to see a 1965 DB5.
The Find of the Century
This model was equipped with a Vantage engine, Weber carburetors, wire wheels, and Sundym electric windows. The ad in “Motorsport” magazine also promised complete documentation. Williams couldn’t let such an opportunity pass and completed the purchase for 900 pounds. For four years, he used this iconic car daily. It was only in 1977, when a new job took him to the Middle East, that he put the DB5 on hold.
Despite several tempting offers over the years, the car remained in the family. His wife, Sue, recalls that neighborhood kids enjoyed playing in it, even causing some damage along the way. Over time, Williams felt a pressing need to get this beauty back on the road. As a tradesman, seeing his cherished vehicle neglected was a real torment.
A Restoration Done Right
Thus, the decision was made to entrust his precious DB5 to Aston Martin Works, the historic site where more than 13,000 sports cars have been born. The work began in late 2022. After nearly three years of hard work, John and Sue were able to reclaim their restored vehicle. Throughout the restoration process, they closely followed every step of the chassis and hand-crafted aluminum bodywork restoration.
Aston Martin DB5 (1965) Restoration
Aston Martin DB5 (1965) Restoration
Images from: Aston Martin
The restored model is a DB5 from 1965 with a Vantage engine and right-hand drive. Its original Silver Birch paint is extremely sought after today. Its first owner lived in St George’s Hill in Surrey, a famous neighborhood that also hosted icons like John Lennon and Ringo Starr. Of the 1,022 DB5 produced, only 39 units featured this rare combination.
Aston Martin DB5 (1965) Restoration
A Triumphant Return
Aston Martin Works invested over 2,500 hours of labor in bodywork, painting, and technical work to bring this masterpiece back to life. Paul Spires, the president, emphasized that the team had completely renewed the car despite its initially deplorable condition. Given the unique specifications and the model’s provenance, he estimates its value could reach up to a million pounds on the market.
When he found his freshly restored DB5, Williams shared an emotion that still resonates: “It’s probably been almost 50 years since I last drove this car. The experience is phenomenal. It’s just… incredible. My beauty is back and running again! Back to its former glory.”
It’s hard not to imagine that every turn taken behind the wheel of this Aston Martin is like reliving the epic adventures of the famous British secret agent, a perfect blend of nostalgia and thrills.
