1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5

• One of the most iconic and coveted of all British sports cars
• A matching-numbers, UK-supplied, manual gearbox car in simply superb condition
• Meticulously restored by marque specialists Goldsmith & Young Ltd just over 2,000 miles ago
• Now resplendent in beautiful California Sage Green paintwork with a Biscuit leather interior
• On offer from a private collection of fastidiously maintained and correctly stored classics
• An exceptional example from Aston's finest hour

Not merely the best-known model produced by Aston Martin, the DB5 saloon (as the factory called it for tax purposes) is generally regarded as one of the most famous cars ever built by any marque. Introduced at the 1963 Earls Court Motor Show, the DB5 was an obvious extension of the DB4, featuring similar touring-designed coachwork and an enlarged 4-litre update of Tadek Marek's race-engineered aluminium engine.

With 170 improvements over the preceding model, the DB5 was undoubtedly a superior driver's car, and the company landed one of history's most famous marketing coups when the DB5 was chosen as superspy James Bond's transport for the 1965 film Goldfinger. With a modest production of 1,021 examples built through 1965, the DB5 has evolved into the marque's most timeless classic, appealing to dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers alike.

The car presented here is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive 1965 Aston Martin DB5 and is in simply exceptional condition, being one of the best examples of its type we have ever offered for sale. Originally supplied through HWM on 04/06/1965 to its first owner, a Mr Cecil Lewis Esq of Harley House, Marylebone Road, London, the original build sheet (copy in history file) confirms that the car was supplied new in Sera Blue coachwork, with blue hide. Early factory records indicate the car was driven regularly with the mileage recorded at 7,444 miles during a visit in July 1966 and by October 1969 that had increased to 20,348.

The car was used and maintained regularly throughout the majority of its life, before being entrusted in 2008 to marque specialists, Goldsmith & Young Ltd. of Wiltshire, for a comprehensive, fully-documented body-off, nut and bolt restoration. The quality of the project speaks for itself, with all works being completed in early 2011, and the Aston is now resplendent in, arguably the most beautiful of all Aston colours, California Sage. The original engine was fully rebuilt to 4.2-litre unleaded specification and returned to a triple SU carburettor set-up (previously it had been converted to Vantage specification with Weber carburettors). The suspension was uprated, with a thicker anti-roll bar and a telescopic rear shock-absorber conversion, whilst an aluminium radiator was also fitted. Since the restoration, the car has only covered just over 2,000 miles and is being sold from a private collection of similar quality examples, where they are professionally maintained and stored. Our vendor has recently commissioned various works to the car, including a new Borg & Beck clutch, a modified flywheel, a specialist coating on the manifolds and returning the cam covers to their original finish.

This beautifully presented and well-documented, matching-numbers DB5 has been professionally restored to a very high standard and is ready for immediate use by its next fortunate owner.