Aston Martin looks back at DB5’s 60-year history

Aston Martin is looking back at the rich history of the DB5 saloon as it celebrates the nameplate's 60th anniversary.

The Aston Martin DB5 made its official public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963. The nameplate then featured design, technical, and equipment changes over the DB4, most notably a major engine development delivering even more power.

It packed a 4.0-liter powerplant that made around 280 horses.

Since then, the Aston Martin DB5 has become an icon that is synonymous with the storied British brand itself and quickly rose to popularity after its release.

One reason is its silver screen appearances, most notably in the James Bond franchise. The late Sean Connery sat behind the steering wheel of the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger. Likewise, Pierce Brosnan also drove the DB5 in GoldenEye and briefly appeared in Tomorrow Never Dies.

The Aston Martin DB5 was also featured in Casino Royale (although owned by the villain, Alex Dimitrios), Skyfall, and Spectre, where Bond was played by actor Daniel Craig.

In addition to the Aston Martin DB5’s James Bond appearances, it was also the car of choice for many celebrities like The Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger, and Master comedian Peter Sellers.

Further, Robert Plant, Jay Kay, Elle McPherson, and Ralph Lauren were among the Aston Martin DB5’s esteemed patrons.

“The David Brown era gave us so many great Aston Martin sports cars but none more recognizable, revered, and desired as the DB5, which laid the foundations of our identity as a British luxury brand synonymous with style, performance, and exclusivity,” said Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll, who himself is a DB5 owner.

“It is only right that, as it turns 60, we take a moment to look back and reflect on this car’s incredible role in our storied 110-year heritage. We’re incredibly proud that the DB lineage continues today with the critically acclaimed DB12, which like those came before it, is a celebration of all we love about British hand-built sports cars, with a new injection of the latest technology and the highest levels of performance,” he added.

The Aston Martin DB5 took center stage at the recently held Goodwood Revival festival in Sussex where it was showcased alongside the latest addition to the marque’s revered DB bloodline, the DB12 Super Tourer.

Marking Aston Martin’s proud past and exciting future, the two models have been photographed together in images released today to celebrate the landmark anniversary.

Photos from Aston Martin

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