1965 Aston Martin DB5
- Engine
- 4.2L DOHC inline-six, triple Weber twin-choke carburetors, ~300 bhp
- Colour
- Sierra Blue
A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 originally delivered in Sierra Blue to a Devon business, this left-hand-drive example was exported to the United States in 1980 and subsequently participated in the Oregon Columbia Gorge Classic vintage rally across three consecutive years. Between 2013 and 2014 it received a comprehensive bare-metal restoration by Connecticut marque specialists Vantage Motors, with engine work carried out in the UK by Richard Stewart Williams, representing one of the most thorough known restorations of this model.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$990,000
- 1965-10-22 →Factory deliveryMartins Caravan Company Ltdfull documentation
Original recipient of the car at delivery, based in Countess Wear, North Exeter. Factory warranty issued on this date and service records continue into 1966, including two engine rebuilds.
- → 1980Prior owner who exported car to USpartial documentation
Owner noted to have arranged export of the vehicle to the United States in 1980; further details not provided.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCameron Sheehanpartial documentation
Based in the Pacific Northwest; drove the car in vintage rally events in Oregon between 2001 and 2003.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLong-term Aston Martin enthusiast and collectorpartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive ground-up restoration during 2013–2014 by Vantage Motors in Stamford, Connecticut, including a left-hand-drive conversion and engine rebuild in the UK by Richard Stewart Williams.
Competition
- 2001Oregon Columbia Gorge ClassicDriver: Cameron Sheehan
Vintage rally event; the car participated under the same owner across three consecutive years.
- 2002Oregon Columbia Gorge ClassicDriver: Cameron Sheehan
Second consecutive year of participation in the vintage rally.
- 2003Oregon Columbia Gorge ClassicDriver: Cameron Sheehan
Third consecutive year of participation in the vintage rally.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1966Engine rebuildAston Martin factory service
Two separate engine strip-downs and refits carried out under factory service during the car's first full year on the road.
Recorded on factory service documentation.
- 2013RestorationVantage Motors
Full bare-metal, ground-up restoration documented with photographs and carried out to concours standards, including bodywork refinished in the original Sierra Blue by a specialist Aston Martin paint expert, and a new interior in Spinneybeck butterscotch leather with navy Wilton carpets.
Carried out in Stamford, Connecticut; completed by 2014. Described by an RM Sotheby's specialist as the most thorough DB5 restoration the firm could recall selling.
- 2013Engine rebuildRichard Stewart Williams
Period-correct DB5 engine shipped to the UK and rebuilt to the more powerful 4.2-litre specification.
Work performed in the United Kingdom concurrently with the broader restoration programme.
- 2013BodyworkWest Chester Classics
Exterior refinished in Sierra Blue by an Aston Martin paint and colour specialist.
Carried out by Dwayne Nosworthy of West Chester Classics, Connecticut, as part of the wider 2013–2014 restoration.
- —Modification
Conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, including reworking of the cowl to position windshield wipers correctly for a left-hand-drive layout.
Described as executed to the highest professional standard; date of conversion not stated in the prose.
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