Aston Martin DB5 turns 60 years old

MANILA: The Aston Martin DB5 is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month, and the iconic car was spotted in Sussex at the recently held Goodwood Revival festival.

According to the British luxury carmaker, the Aston Martin DB5 appeared at the said event last weekend 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.

“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. 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,” Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll — himself a DB5 owner — said in a statement.

The Aston Martin DB5 nameplate has a rich history befitting its iconic status. 

It made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963 where it flaunted new design, technical, and equipment changes over its predecessor, the then commercially successful Aston Martin DB4. 

Produced at the Gaydon-headquartered brand’s Newport Pagnell factory in Buckinghamshire, the Aston Martin DB5 boasted a powerful 4.0-liter engine that could produce around 280 horses. 

The Aston Martin DB5 also made its mark on pop culture, most notably due to its appearances in James Bond films like Goldfinger with Sean Connery; GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies with Pierce Brosnan; as well as Casino Royale, Spectre, and Skyfall with Daniel Craig. 

Roger Moore, who also played the role of the British spy under Her Majesty’s service, drove the Aston Martin DB5 in the movie The Cannonball Run. 

Further, the Aston Martin DB5 has had an esteemed list of patrons with the likes of The Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger, and Master comedian Peter Sellers. 

The stylish saloon was also the car of choice for famous personalities such as Robert Plant, Jay Kay, Elle McPherson, and Ralph Lauren. 

Photos from Aston Martin

Also read: 

Car Of The Week: Aston Martin Rapide S