Tempting Buys
A Bond Aston Martin DB5 – but not the one you’re thinking – comes up for sale, plus Ferrari 275GTS and unlikely French hot-hatch icons
Aston Martin DB5S are rarely a hard sell, but this one should have well-heeled enthusiasts metaphorically queuing round the corner. In a world where provenance can even outstrip condition, this car has boot-loads of it. It also has a charming tale attached. So when it’s offered at the RM Sotheby’s online ‘Open Roads’ sale that runs from 19-27 February, we can expect some spirited bidding. Less than a year after buying it in December 1963 the first owner, Walter Lewis, sold it to – no kidding here – Mr Bond. Bond was just 21 years old at the time and kept his purchase a secret from his family for some years, fearing disapproval. He stored it at a friend’s garage a short cycle-ride from his Hampshire home.
That same Mr Bond, now in his late seventies, still owns the car today. He has lovingly cared for it over those 57 years, taking it to 81,579 miles and carefully storing it when not in use. The car was also thoroughly refurbished by Aston Engineering around 20 years ago, including an engine rebuild with unleaded petrol conversion, along with some body work and a respray and retrim in the original colours of Midnight Blue with red leather. The car has been maintained by Aston Engineering since then.
The real Mr Bond moved in interesting circles and was a friend and skiing companion to the Grand Prix drivers Piers Courage and Jochen Rindt. In fact the DB5 was used for a holiday with Rindt in the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel, where Rindt gifted Bond a Moto-lita steering wheel that remained fitted to the car until
‘It was used for a holiday with Jochen Rindt in Kitzbühel, where Rindt gifted the owner a Motolita steering wheel fitted to the car until recently’
recently. That particular memento is staying with the owner. Another period-correct wheel has been fitted to the car.
There’s another more tenuous link to Kitzbühel, pointed out to us by 007 aficionado Richard Gunn. ‘It’s where Ian Fleming wrote that the fictional Mr Bond learnt to ski when in his teens.’
The real Mr Bond has finally decided it’s time to part with the car, so it comes to the market for the first time since 1964, temptingly being offered without reserve – because whatever the result it’s time for him to let go. Guide values would suggest it will land somewhere in the region of £500,000 to £700,000, but it could easily make more. Though you could find an Aston DB5 in more dazzling condition than this one, where are you going to find another with a back-story like this?