The Aston Martin DB5 celebrates its 60th anniversary

Six decades after its launch, theAston Martin DB5 continues to be one of the most iconic and recognizable cars in the world: on this occasion, it poses alongside the latest addition to the DB family, the DB12, to celebrate this historic anniversary.

“The David Brown era gave us so many great Aston Martins, but none are more recognizable, revered and desired than the DB5. It laid the foundations of our identity as a British luxury brand synonymous with style, performance and exclusivity. It’s only fitting that as it celebrates its 60th anniversary, we take a moment to look back and reflect on this car’s incredible role in our rich 110-year heritage. We are incredibly proud that the DB lineage continues today with the critically acclaimed DB12, which, like those that came before it, is a celebration of everything we love about hand-built British sports cars. hand, with a new injection of the latest technologies and the highest levels of performance”said Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin.

Aston Martin DB5: a presentation in Frankfurt in 1963

After the successful launch of the DB4 in 1958, Aston Martin renewed its sports car family with the arrival of the DB5, presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963. This new model featured several improvements in terms of design, technique and equipment compared to its predecessor, with a major mechanical update offering even more power.

Indeed, the DB5 presented in Germany had a new version of the six-cylinder in-line engine of 3.7 liters of the DB4, reworked with a double camshaft and a displacement inflated to 4.0 litersfor a maximum power of 286 horsepower, propelling the model to more than 240 km/h. According to the Aston Martin brochure of the time: “The DB5 is the fastest 4-seater GT in the world”.

There were also numerous improvements such as electric windows, air conditioning (optional), and even bodywork made by the Italians from Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.

An international star

Of course, his major role in the film series James Bond allowed the Aston Martin DB5 to become an iconic model, but Sean Connery was not the only celebrity to be seen behind the wheel of this desirable sports model. Indeed, many personalities of the time purchased a DB5, such as Paul McCartney and George Harrison of the Beatles, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Peter Sellers, Robert Plant, Jay Kay, Elle McPherson and Ralph Lauren. .

In total, only 887 examples of the DB5 Coupé, 123 DB5 Cabriolet and 12 DB5 Shooting Brake Custom-made were made, making it a particularly rare model, even for the period. Indeed, in 1963, British automobile production exceeded 1.8 million vehicles.

Read also :
• A collection of 25 Aston Martin Lagondas!
• Five car keys that push luxury even higher
• Video: This Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 sounds damn good!