Vehicle Description
Chassis No. DB5/2051/L
Engine No. 400/2045
Sir David Brown's latest creation in a lineage of curvaceous grand
tourers carrying his initials emerged in 1963 as the Aston Martin
DB5. Its instantly recognizable silhouette owed much to that of its
iconic predecessor, the DB4, maintaining its Touring-designed
Superleggera coachwork draped over a small-diameter tube frame. The
main external differences from the Series V DB4 included sporting
covered headlights pioneered on the short-wheelbase DB4GT by Zagato
and twin fuel filler caps on both of the rear wings.
While outwardly similar, the DB5's most notable improvement was
nestled underneath its handsome bodywork in the form of a Tadek
Marek-designed alloy six-cylinder engine enlarged from 3.7 to 4.0
liters. Topped with triple SU carburetors, the bigger engine
delivered 282-horsepower through a fully synchromesh ZF five-speed
manual transmission for relaxed cruising. Electric windows,
reclining seats, wool pile carpets, and a leather-swathed cabin
ensured the DB5 was the most luxuriously refined and comfortable
grand tourer of the 1960s.
The Aston Martin presented here, chassis DB5/2051/L, is one of 180
DB5s completed from the factory in left-hand drive specification -
identified chassis number ending in "L" rather than "R" - with a
five-speed manual and finished Silver Birch over a Red Connolly
leather interior. A copy of the car's original build sheet on file
details its luxurious factory options, including Normalair air
conditioning, engine breather scheme, chrome wheels, and Britax lap
and diagonal front safety belts. The build sheet also records the
original owner as Mr. Bruce B. Pierce of Hollywood, California.
According to previously sourced documentation included with the
car, chassis DB5/2051L remained on the West Coast for the entirety
of its recorded history through today. Classically finished in
silver over a red leather interior, DB5/2052/L was the recipient of
a complete restoration in the early 2000s under previous ownership
which included refinishing the brightwork, chrome wire wheels, and
rebuilding the suspension system. The marque specialists of Steel
Wings in Warminster, Pennsylvania conducted the disassembly and
complete rebuild of the numbers-matching engine as part of the
restoration.
Since its acquisition by the Academy of Art University Museum
collection in 2006, chassis number DB5/2051/L has been diligently
maintained and carefully exercised when not on view in the
Academy's climate-controlled exhibition space. Showing little
evidence of the almost two decades that have passed since its
restoration, the car presents wonderfully throughout, attesting to
both the quality of its restoration and the care and maintenance it
has received. In fine mechanical and cosmetic condition, including
a clean undercarriage, and gorgeously presented in its
factory-inspired colors, this 1965 Aston Martin DB5 is offered with
its service book and a digital copy of its build sheet. Available
for the first time in 17 years, chassis DB5/2051/L offers the
opportunity to own an exceptionally rare, left-hand drive, factory
air conditioning-equipped example of Aston Martin's most
sought-after grand tourer.
