The Aston Martin DB5 and its iconic association with the James Bond film “Goldfinger” have become legendary in the world of cinema and automotive history. The DB5, produced by the British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, made its debut in 1963 and quickly gained fame as one of the most stylish and sophisticated sports cars of its era.
The DB5 was not just a stylish and powerful car; it also showcased cutting-edge technology for its time. Some of the advanced features included:
- Air Conditioning: The DB5 was one of the first production cars to offer air conditioning, adding to the comfort and luxury of the vehicle.
- Electric Windows: The car featured electrically operated windows, a convenience that was still relatively uncommon in the 1960s.
- Leather Interior: The interior of the DB5 was luxuriously appointed with high-quality leather upholstery, enhancing the overall comfort and elegance of the vehicle.
- Wood Trim: Fine wood trim and accents were used in the interior, adding a touch of refinement.
These features, combined with its powerful engine and the gadgetry added for the film, made the Aston Martin DB5 a symbol of both high-performance motoring and sophisticated luxury. It represented the epitome of style and innovation in the 1960s and has since become an iconic symbol of James Bond’s taste for the finer things in life.
The Aston Martin DB5 was equipped with a powerful and advanced powertrain for its time. It featured an all-aluminium, naturally aspirated inline-six engine. It had a displacement of 4.0 litres and was part of Aston Martin’s Tadek Marek-designed engine series.
The DB5’s engine produced 282bhp, which was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the DB4 Series V and was equipped with three SU (Skinners Union) carburettors. These carburettors ensured efficient fuel delivery and contributed to the engine’s performance. The DB5 used a ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen) five-speed manual transmission.
Thanks to its powerful engine and well-matched transmission, the DB5 could accelerate from 0-100km/h in around eight seconds and had a top speed of approximately 233km/h. It offered impressive performance for its era.
The Aston Martin DB5 is famous for its classic exterior design. It has a stylish chrome grille, round iconic headlights, and a sculpted body with sleek lines. The car’s sides have functional vents with chrome accents, and there are chrome details on the windows, door handles, and mirrors. At the back, you’ll find round taillights and a chrome bumper. The British grand tourer’s (GT) design is considered to be timeless.
Aston Martin made 887 saloons, 123 convertibles, and 12 custom shooting brake versions of the DB5. It was a favourite among celebrities like The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, comedian Peter Sellers, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
The grandest of grand tourers, this car set the stage for those that came after it. Today’s DB12, known as the world’s first Super Tourer, reaffirms Aston Martin’s status as a pioneer in performance, dynamics, engineering, and technology.
