1963 Aston Martin DB5
- Engine
- 4.2L DOHC inline-six, 300 bhp
- Colour
- Silver Birch
Chassis DB5/1301/L is the first saloon body DB5 built, making it a historically significant example among the relatively small number of factory left-hand-drive cars produced. Delivered new to Frankfurt racing driver Peter Lindner, who died in a motorsport accident later in 1963, the car remained in German ownership until the mid-1970s, receiving a factory engine replacement in 1969. Subsequently exported to the United States, it passed through the hands of noted Aston Martin restorer Lance Evans before being acquired by actor Nicolas Cage in 2001. A 2003 restoration by Autosports Designs enlarged the engine to 4.2 litres. The car is finished in Silver Birch over black leather.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €1,100,000 – €1,300,000
- → 2001Acquisition unknownLance Evanspartial documentation
Recognised Aston Martin specialist and operator of the Steel Wings restoration business in the United States; conducted the car's initial restoration covering chassis, drivetrain components, and differential after the car arrived in the US around the mid-1970s.
- 2001 →Private saleNicolas Cagepartial documentation
Hollywood actor and serious automobile collector; during his ownership the car received a further restoration by Autosports Designs in 2003, which included enlarging the engine to 4.2-litre displacement and adding discreetly integrated air conditioning and audio equipment.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryPeter Lindnerfull documentation
Well-known Frankfurt racing driver who received the car as its first owner upon export to Germany. He died in a motorsport incident during the same year he took delivery.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSecond German owner noted in build recordpartial documentation
One of two additional owners recorded in factory documentation, based in Germany; car remained in German hands through at least 1969 when a factory engine swap was carried out.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownThird German owner noted in build recordpartial documentation
Second of two additional owners listed in factory records following Lindner; factory service documentation extends to 1971 during this period of German ownership.
Competition
- —Motorsport accident (fatal)Driver: Peter LindnerFatal crash
Peter Lindner, the car's first owner, lost his life in a racing incident during the same year he took delivery of the car; the prose does not identify the specific event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969Engine rebuildAston Martin factory
Factory-fitted replacement engine, unit number 400/2667, installed while the car was still under German ownership.
Documented in the factory service records.
- 2003RestorationAutosports Designs
Comprehensive restoration in which the engine was enlarged to 4.2-litre displacement; modern air conditioning and audio equipment were discreetly integrated, and exterior Lucas fog lamps were fitted.
Commissioned during Nicolas Cage's ownership; current Silver Birch exterior and black interior finish date from this work.
- —RestorationSteel Wings
First full restoration of the car carried out in the United States, encompassing chassis, engine, transmission, and differential.
Undertaken under the direction of Lance Evans; timing is post-mid-1970s export but pre-2001 sale.
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