1965 Aston Martin DB5 Short-Chassis Volante Convertible
- Engine
- 4.2L inline-six twin-cam, triple SU carburettors, Cosworth rebuild spec, 289 bhp (dyno tested)
- Colour
- Claret
Chassis DBVC/2310/R is one of only 37 short-wheelbase Aston Martin Volantes built in 1965–66, making it the lowest-production open Aston Martin of the David Brown era. Constructed using Touring's Superleggera coachbuilding method and powered by a twin-cam alloy straight-six, it was delivered in May 1966 to the Burton retail dynasty of Leeds. After a period of storage and a lime-green repaint under a second owner, the car underwent a comprehensive three-year concours restoration by marque specialist Desmond J. Smail, including a 4.2-litre Cosworth engine rebuild and left-hand-drive conversion, completed exactly fifty years after its original delivery.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,400,000 – US$1,800,000
- 1966-05-13 → 1971Factory deliveryMontague Burton Ltdfull documentation
Delivered new to the Leeds-based retail company; believed acquired for one of the founder's twin sons, likely Raymond Burton, who used the car at motoring events including a lap of honor at Oulton Park.
- 1971 → 2013Private saleKen Hipwellpartial documentation
Undertook a three-year bare-metal repaint restoration to lime green; kept the car largely in storage with minimal mileage accumulated over nearly four decades of ownership.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent ownerfull documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive three-year restoration by marque specialist Desmond J. Smail; work included engine rebuild to 4.2-liter Cosworth spec, conversion to left-hand drive, full repaint, and interior retrim in Claret leather.
Competition
- 2016Blenheim Palace Concours
One of several prestige concours appearances made by the current owner in 2016 following the completed restoration.
- 2016Festival of Aston Martins at Burghley House
- 2016Salon Privé
- 2016Aston Martin Owners ClubAutumn Aston Martin Owners Club Concours, Compton Verney1st overall
Held at Compton Verney in Warwickshire; the car won the event outright.
- —Oulton Park lap of honorDriver: Raymond Burton
Raymond Burton chauffeured two female racing drivers on a ceremonial lap of the Cheshire circuit; a photograph of this occasion is held in the car's history file.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971Restoration
Three-year bare-metal restoration including a full repaint in lime green, carried out by or on behalf of Ken Hipwell.
Restoration spanned approximately 1971 to 1974 based on the stated three-year duration.
- 2013RestorationDesmond J. Smail Limited
Comprehensive three-year concours-level restoration encompassing an engine rebuild to 4.2-litre Cosworth specification, conversion to left-hand drive, full repaint, interior retrim in Claret leather, heat-proofing, and fitment of discreet electric power steering.
The interior was retrimmed by the same Aston Martin craftsman who originally trimmed the car approximately 50 years earlier. Engine was dynamometer-tested to 289 bhp during this work.
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