The Aston Martin DB5 is one of those vehicles that simply needs no introduction. Recognized around the world, the DB5 was made famous in the James Bond movie Goldfinger, cementing Aston Martin’s status as the vehicle of choice for spies and gentlemen alike.

The example offered here, chassis no. DB5/1401/R, was originally delivered to Mr G.N. Lumb in Huddersfield, who by all accounts enjoyed the tourer immensely. Before passing the DB5 onto the second owner, Lumb had 1401/R serviced routinely by the factory; the build sheet records the vehicle as hitting nearly 10,000 miles within the first year of his ownership. According to the build sheet, the factory serviced the car through 1965, which was most likely when Lumb sold the car on to R.J. Chatting of Staffordshire. Chassis DB5/1401/R was originally equipped with a non-standard Laycock clutch, and early in 1965, a timing chain modification was carried out.

The DB5 benefitted from a restoration in the early ’80s while under the care of 30 years of single ownership. It is thought that the upgrade to Vantage specification, not yet available when the car was originally delivered, occurred during this ownership. Utilizing triple Weber twin-choke side draft carburettors and revised camshaft profiles, the Vantage engine was able to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 6.5 seconds. The Vantage-specification engine produced an astounding 315 bhp, nearly 40 more than the standard engine. Upon purchasing the vehicle, the current owner embarked upon his own full restoration.

This most recent restoration was quite comprehensive. Consisting of over 750 hours of labour, the restoration began by repairing dents in the chassis before powder coating. Both the front and rear suspension were rebuilt, and the engine was fully serviced, including a carburettor rebuild. Originally delivered in Dubonnet, the car underwent a bare-metal re-spray in classic Silver Birch before Aston Martin turned to the interior. The all-new interior is finished in Connolly black over black carpets, making for a tasteful and elegant colour combination. New wire wheels fitted with correct Avon radial tyres completed the restoration, which finished just earlier this year.

Photos of both the early restoration and this latest one show the extreme care and attention to detail that is so characteristic of an Aston Martin restoration. Today the car presents in excellent mechanical condition and appears as it would have leaving the factory over 50 years ago.

For those still enamoured with the schoolboy dream of owning their own DB5, 1401/R presents the perfect opportunity to own a mechanically sound, beautifully restored example.