A rare Aston Martin, just one of 50 built in fact — is set to go under the hammer.
The exceedingly rare left-hand drive 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 is one of just 50 DB4 Series 5 saloons built prior to the arrival of the DB5.
From September 1962, the DB4 received another round of changes that were sufficiently different to persuade the AMHT Register to designate the latest iteration, the final variant of the DB4 — as the ‘Series 5’.
The original James Bond ‘Goldfinger’ car used in filming was, in fact, a DB4 Series 5 Vantage, as they look virtually identical — and the DB5 had not quite been finished.
In order to provide more space and legroom for rear-seat passengers, the body was lengthened by 9cm and the roof raised a little too, yet all within the same wheelbase as previous examples (despite what you may read elsewhere).
This can be seen in the gap between the back of the rear wheel arch and the start of the rear bumper.
To keep the overall height of the car the same, the diameter of the wheels was dropped from 16 to 15 inches.
The rear light clusters were also changed slightly and feature individual indicators, stop/tail lights and a reversing light.
As a result the rear reflector was relocated to the bumper, the boot handle/number plate light was changed to a larger Hella type and the front indicators are noticeably larger than earlier cars.
In total, a mere 50 Aston Martin DB4 Series 5 saloons were built during a 10-month period between September, 1962 and June, 1963 prior to the arrival of the DB5.
The accompanying ‘Aston Martin Assured Provenance’ confirms that chassis ‘1182/L’ was delivered to its first owner in California in June of 1963.
Given that production of the DB4 ceased in 1963, this example appears to be one of the later cars built.
Assured Provenance also confirms this Series 5 was specified in Aegean Blue over a White Gold interior, colours that the car wears to this day.
The car still retains the same engine and gearbox numbers and also shows that non-standard features specified on the original build included electric windows, a heated rear windscreen and two seatbelts.
Since returning to the UK a few years ago, car has since been looked after by the world renowned experts at Aston Works, with various invoices on file that show the level of care and attention this car has received in recent times.
The car is set to go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions first sale of 2021 is The Race Retro Live Online Auction, which takes place on March 5-6.
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