Two Aston Martin DB5s on auction at RM Sothebys

A rare, unrestored 1963 Aston Martin DB5 and a rare red DB5 will be offered at RM Sotheby's in London on November 4, 2023.

Unrestored 1963 Aston Martin DB5

One of 706 right-hand-drive DB5s built from 1963 to 1965, chassis 1316/R was destined for Wolverhampton, England, and arrived at the offices of automotive lock manufacturer C.E. Marshall on October 22, 1963.

Finished in the elegant Dubonnet over Fawn Connolly leather with white cloth headlining, this DB5 was likely owned by an executive at Marshall and sported the registration number “7667 UK”.

Little is known about the history of this Aston from its delivery date to 1971, other than that it was later owned by the F.A.G. Bearing Co. Ltd., also based in Wolverhampton.

In 1971, Patrick Davey of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, purchased chassis 1316/R, noting that the original engine had been replaced with a unit numbered “400/1643”, which it retains today. Davey frequently used his new Aston Martin, reportedly averaging 7,000 miles per year during the 1970s, taking multiple long-distance trips across the British Isles and European continent. He stored the car for a five-year period while working overseas, but upon returning, he regularly drove chassis 1316/R throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2011, Davey decided to part ways with his beloved DB5 and entered the car into an auction. Throughout his four decades of ownership, chassis 1316/R retained the registration “7667 UK”. At the time of the sale, the car was reported as last running in 2010, while the odometer read 75,011 miles.

The current owner acquired chassis 1316/R at auction and shortly thereafter had the vehicle exported to join his private collection in Kuwait.

Today, chassis 1316/R is a project and will require a complete restoration to achieve the high standard of finish needed for concours events.

With just two owners since 1971, chassis 1316/R offers a rare chance for Aston Martin enthusiasts and collectors to acquire a UK-delivered project.

Estimate £300,000 - £350,000 GBP

Bidding and more information on the RM Sotheby's website.

1965 Aston Martin DB5

At the same November 4th auction in London, another rare, bright red Aston Martin DB5 will be offered.

Rolling off the production line in autumn 1965, chassis 2197/R would be one of the final DB5s built. Coated in the brilliant colour of Fiesta over a Black Connolly leather interior, this Aston Martin was despatched to the distributor Eton Motors before being sold new to wholesale tobacconist C. Baker & Co. of Portslade, Sussex, once one of the largest privately owned businesses in Britain. It is thought the vehicle was likely purchased by Alec Baker, the then Chairman and Managing director. According to the build sheet, Baker took his DB5 in for its 10,000 mile service in June 1969, having a new head gasket and fuel pump fitted.

By the early 1970s an Aston Martin enthusiast named P. Russel notified the Owner’s Register that he now owned 2197/R. In February 1972, he had the brake pads replaced, with the odometer noted as reading 43,582 miles on the service record. Clearly well maintained, Russel exhibited his DB5 on multiple occasions at the Knebworth Concours in 1976 and 1978, winning 2nd and 3rd place awards. He also displayed at the Greenwich and Goodwood Concours in 1980 and 1981.

On 5 November 1983, Russel sold the Aston Martin to Mr. J. R. Bleach, who remained a custodian until 1999, entering the DB5 in multiple concours events during his ownership. At the Stanway Concours in 1987 the car was awarded “2nd” in the “Newcomer” category. For 1988, the Aston Martin came 5th in the Elite Class at Silverstone Concours, and 2nd at the British Classic Sports Car Show Concours, where the following year the car received a 3rd place award.

Chassis 2197/R changed hands once more at the turn of the Millenium and was placed in the new owner’s name on 8 December 1999. Having been retained for eight years, the DB5 changed hands for a final time in 2007, when it was acquired by the fifth and current owner. Shortly thereafter the DB5 was exported to Kuwait, where it has remained in dry storage since.

Today, chassis 2197/R wears its factory-correct colour scheme of Fiesta over a black leather interior and retains its matching-numbers straight-six engine. Please note, that having remained in dry storage since 2007, this vehicle will require recommissioning. The car is accompanied by a copy of the build sheet, and a previous V5 registration document.

With continuous ownership history, matching-numbers engine, and a fantastic factory colour scheme, chassis 2197/R is an attractive example of Aston Martin’s DB5 that is ready to be brought back to its former glory.

Estimate £525,000 - £575,000 GBP

Bidding and more information on the RM Sotheby's website.