1965 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake (Radford conversion)
- Engine
- 4.7L inline-six, triple SU HD8 carburetors
- Colour
- Silver Birch
Chassis DB5/2273/L is one of only twelve Aston Martin DB5 Radford Shooting Brakes ever constructed, and among just four built in left-hand-drive configuration. Commissioned at the direct instigation of company chairman David Brown, the conversion involved extending the roofline rearward in steel and fitting a one-piece rear hatch, doubling the cost of an ordinary DB5. First delivered to a Swiss owner in December 1965, the car remained in that family for over three decades before passing to a second Swiss custodian who undertook a full body and chassis restoration, and subsequently to a third owner who commissioned a thorough mechanical overhaul by Aston Martin specialist R.S. Williams.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,765,000
- 1965-12-01 → 1996Factory deliveryRainer Heumannfull documentation
First owner, based in Switzerland; used the car as a daily driver for three decades and had it repainted Cumberland Grey during the 1980s. Died in 1996, at which point the car required restoration.
- 1996 → 2001InheritanceHeumann family estatepartial documentation
Car remained with the family following the first owner's death and was eventually sold from the estate approximately five years later.
- 2003 → 2009Acquisition unknownSecond Swiss ownerpartial documentation
Commissioned a full body and chassis restoration by Aston Engineering, including a repaint in Grigio Quartz, structural reinforcement of the Radford roof, and upgrades to a 4.2-litre engine with a five-speed ZF gearbox.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Described as a keen Aston Martin enthusiast who carried out extensive mechanical and cosmetic work through specialist R.S. Williams, including a 4.7-litre engine upgrade, suspension improvements, and a repaint in Silver Birch with a revised Dark Blue interior.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003RestorationAston Engineering
Full body and chassis restoration undertaken, with the bodywork refinished in Grigio Quartz. The Radford roof structure steel tubing was reinforced, and period-incorrect DB6 rear lights were replaced with the correct DB5 units as used on David Brown's own original shooting brake.
- 2003Engine rebuildAston Engineering
Engine capacity was increased to a 4.2-litre specification, and the original automatic gearbox was replaced with a five-speed ZF unit.
- 2009Engine rebuildR.S. Williams
Engine enlarged again, this time to 4.7 litres, and fitted with the correct triple SU HD8 carburettors.
Part of a broader overhaul programme initiated by the current owner.
- 2009MechanicalR.S. Williams
Suspension overhauled with R.S. Williams springs and dampers; period-correct 15-inch wheels installed; Fiamm air horns added to replicate an original factory option.
- 2009BodyworkR.S. Williams
Bodywork repainted in Silver Birch, the car's original factory colour; interior re-trimmed and carpets changed from Cavalry Grey to Dark Blue.
- —Bodywork
Car was repainted from its original colour to Cumberland Grey while in the first owner's possession.
Carried out during the 1980s at the direction of the first owner.
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