1964 Aston Martin DB5
- Engine
- 4.2L inline-six with performance camshafts and triple Weber carburetors (rebuilt/enlarged from original 4.0L)
- Colour
- Silver Birch
Chassis 1715/L is a factory left-hand-drive 1964 Aston Martin DB5, one of only 193 produced in that configuration, finished in Silver Birch over Red Connolly leather and originally destined for the North American market. Built with Touring Superleggera coachwork and rare factory air conditioning, it was later used in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. The matching-numbers engine has been enlarged to 4.2 litres and paired with a ZF five-speed gearbox, while the bodywork features flared rear fenders accommodating wider wire wheels.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$797,000
- 1964-09-01 →Factory deliveryDr. Henry St. John Smithfull documentation
Original purchaser based in South Lancaster, Massachusetts; car was dispatched to North American distributor R. Dick & Company before delivery to this first owner.
- → 2020Private saleTheo Gruttmanpartial documentation
New York-based fashion photographer who kept the car on Shelter Island in a dedicated garage alongside three other Aston Martins. During his tenure the engine was rebuilt and enlarged to 4.2 liters with upgraded components, and rear bodywork was flared to accept larger wheels. The car was regularly maintained by specialist Steel Wings of Ivyland, Pennsylvania. Gruttman passed away in 2020.
- 2022 → 2022Acquisition unknownSteel Wingspartial documentation
Ivyland, Pennsylvania marque specialist offered the car following Gruttman's estate; undertook a preparation service covering brakes, clutch components, hydraulics, battery, and fluids before sale.
- 2022 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired the car from Steel Wings following the preparation refresh; car retains its original Silver Birch over Red Connolly leather specification.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDr. William Crowellpartial documentation
New Hampshire-based owner who subsequently sold the car in the late 1970s.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Engine rebuildSteel Wings
The matching-numbers engine was fully rebuilt and upgraded, with displacement increased to 4.2 litres, performance camshafts fitted, and triple Weber carburetors installed; the unit was subsequently mated to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox.
Work carried out during the long-term ownership of Theo Gruttman.
- 2022ServiceSteel Wings
A preparatory recommissioning service was completed, encompassing brake and clutch attention, replacement of master and slave cylinders, new brake servos, a fresh battery, and a full fluid change.
Carried out ahead of the car being offered for sale following the previous owner's death.
- —Modification
The original Normalair air conditioning system, a rare factory option, was removed at an unspecified point during the car's history.
- —Bodywork
The Superleggera coachwork was modified with flared rear wheel arches to accommodate larger-diameter wire wheels.
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