1965 Aston Martin DB5

History

Constructed at the works in Newport Pagnell on 17th November 1964, this beautiful DB5 was finished in Dubonnet Rosso coachwork with Beige Conolly VM846 hides and fitted with Selectaride shock absorbers, triple SU HD8 carburettors, Avon Turbospeed tires and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio.

Despatched to supplying dealer H.W.Motors Ltd on 31st December in readiness for collection by first owner R.D.Soole Esq of Coombe Park, Malden, Surrey. The DB5 was registered on 1st January 1965 and issued with ‘GPA 655C’ which remains on the car to the present day.

The service notes recorded on the original build sheet show the car was used extensively within the first few years and maintained by the factory, with mileage noted at 28,356 during a return trip to the factory in September 1966. By April 1969 the DB5 had passed to second owner, Major General R.C.M. King of Eversley Cross, Hampshire.

Major General Robert Charles Moss King C.B, D.S.O, O.B.E had an illustrious career that included being the Head of British Joint Services Mission in Washington D.C in 1951. He was later appointed as Deputy Director of Military Operations at the War Office in 1953 which together with the Admiralty, Air Ministry and Ministry of Aviation became the Ministry of Defence on April 1st 1964. Major General R.C.M.King also held the esteemed position of Deputy Constable of Dover Castle from 1954 to 1956.

Original AM factory invoices retained on file to Major General King dated 1st May 1969 document extensive work to the cooling system, cylinder head rebuild, timing chain adjustment, carburettor rebuild, 20,000 mile service and brake rebuild at 40,153 miles. Further invoices from H.W.Motors between 1969 and late 1970 detail his regular use with mileage noted at 49,144 miles on 31st December 1970.

By July 1971 the DB5 was acquired by third owner Mr Kenneth Kerr of Ashmac Service Ltd, Egham, Surrey, who is understood to have purchased the car via HWM after Major General King part exchanged it for a newer model. Throughout the 1970s Mr Kerr continued to use and enjoy the DB5 as evidenced by various service invoices from A.Tocock Motor Engineers of Market Square, Staines and Maybridge Auto Engineering with mileage recorded at 96,972 miles in March 1975.

By the late 1970s both Mr Kerr and his DB5 had repatriated to his homeland in the Scottish Highlands and it was subsequently sold to fourth owner Mr Alexander Grant on 26th October 1981, a close friend of Mr Kerr. For the next thirty-two years the DB5 remained in the hands of Mr Grant and saw little use in the latter years of his custodianship, eventually being sold to the previous owner on 2nd October 2013 in complete and original condition but needing complete restoration.

Between 2014-2017 the DB5 was the subject of a comprehensive restoration by marque specialist Rikki Cann, who stripped the car to its bare chassis and undertook an extensive body, chassis, mechanical and cosmetic restoration at a cost of GBP 400,000, fully documented with supporting invoices and photographs. The original engine was rebuilt to 4.2L specification and fitted with an uprated handling kit, the body repainted in Dubonnet Rosso and interior re-trimmed in Beige hides and the Aston returned to the road in August 2017 following the completion of the restoration.

Acquired by the vendor in late 2021 who has enjoyed the Aston on high days and holidays with all service and maintenance work undertaken by marque exponents R.S.Williams in recent times. Offered in superb condition having covered a mere two thousand miles since restoration, supplied with a well-documented history file and excellent provenance, this DB5 is ready for its next adventure!