The Aston Martin DB5 was an evolution of the DB4 Series 5 Vantage, and looked virtually identical. The main change with the car was the adoption of a 4.0 litre engine and option of a five speed gearbox. Cars fitted with the standard 282bhp engine (triple SU carbs) could be expected to record a maximum speed of 148mph. Only 65 cars of a total production run of 898 coupes were fitted with the optional Vantage engine equipped with triple Weber carbs which produced 314bhp. The car only became famous after the James Bond movie.

There were many detailed improvements with the DB5 which included the fitting of an alternator, tinted glass, four exhaust silencers and electric windows. Unfortunately all this and more added an extra 113 kg to the weight.

Initially the DB5 had the same 4 speed David Brown gearbox from the DB4 with an option for the 5 speed ZF box. A little way into production and the 5 speed ZF box was made standard fitting. 

DB 5 Volante (1965 - 1966)

A very interesting car, the Short-chassis Volante, for many reasons. It was the first Aston Martin to be called Volante; the drop-head DB4's and 5's should never be call a Volante. The car was based on the last of the DB5 chassis but was introduced at the same time as the DB6 and so looks somewhat similar. During the single year of production, only 37 were built until the DB6 Volante was introduced before the car was superseded  by the DB6 Volante proper.

The bodywork is similar to the DB5 convertible but shares many DB6 features such as the interior trim, split front and rear bumpers and an enlarged oil cooler opening. Whilst at the back the boot lid is unswept with DB5 convertible like rear wings mounted with the Triumph sourced DB6 style rear light clusters. Knowing these details make this car easier to identify.