1963 Aston Martin DB5
- Engine
- Twin-cam inline-six, converted to lead-free fuel, electronic ignition
- Colour
- Midnight Blue
Chassis 1330/R is an early Aston Martin DB5, delivered in December 1963 via H.W.M. in Midnight Blue over red Connolly leather and fitted with the rare David Brown four-speed overdrive gearbox rather than the later ZF unit — placing it among the final ten DB5s so equipped. The car passed almost immediately to a single private owner, in whose careful hands it remained for nearly six decades, accumulating a documented 81,579 miles. Two major factory and specialist overhauls maintained mechanical integrity, and the car retains its original engine, gearbox, colour, and UK registration. Notably, it accompanied the owner on a skiing trip with future Formula 1 World Champion Jochen Rindt, facilitated through a mutual friendship with racing driver Piers Courage.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €627,000 (≈ $690K)
- 1963-12-01 →Factory deliveryWalter Lewisfull documentation
First registered owner, residing in Denmark Hill, South London. Car delivered via HWM dealership in Midnight Blue with red Connolly leather. Held the car for only a few months before selling.
- 1965 →Private saleMr. Bondpartial documentation
Purchased aged 21, kept ownership for approximately 57 years. Initially stored the car discreetly at a nearby friend's garage in Sutton Scotney rather than at his Hampshire home. Commissioned two major mechanical and cosmetic overhauls during his tenure.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969MechanicalAston Martin Lagonda
Comprehensive overhaul at the factory works covering a full cylinder head rebuild with new valves and valve springs, carburettor rebuilding and adjustment, front and rear suspension and brake overhaul, plus replacement of the clutch assembly, clutch master cylinder, and propshaft. Total cost approximately £567.
Carried out at Newport Pagnell at 56,451 miles. An original invoice is retained in the car's file.
- 2019ServiceAston Engineering
Thorough road test, systems check, pressure testing, and MOT carried out.
Most recent recorded expenditure at time of cataloguing.
- —RestorationAston Engineering
Bare-metal repaint to the original Midnight Blue shade and a full interior retrim in the correct original Connolly leather with matching Wilton carpets.
Carried out circa the turn of the millennium alongside the mechanical overhaul below, at approximately 75,000 miles.
- —Engine rebuildAston Engineering
Full engine rebuild including conversion to lead-free fuel compatibility, installation of electronic ignition, and a complete dynamometer test and calibration.
Derby-based marque specialist. Carried out circa the turn of the millennium at approximately 75,000 miles.
- —MechanicalAston Engineering
Simultaneous major mechanical work including remediation of corroded bodywork and chassis sections, comprehensive overhaul of front and rear suspension, steering and braking systems, and a complete rebuild of both the gearbox and overdrive unit.
Carried out at the same time as the engine rebuild and cosmetic restoration, circa the turn of the millennium.
- —Modification
Original Moto-Lita steering wheel gifted by Jochen Rindt was removed and replaced with a period-correct replacement steering wheel.
The Rindt-gifted wheel was retained by the vendor for personal sentimental reasons.
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