• September marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Aston Martin DB5
• A review of the exclusive appeal and extraordinary features of the world’s most famous cars
• Superior performance and timeless design characterize the DB lineage, from the DB5 to the stunning DB12.

September 13, 2023, Gaydon, England: The world’s most iconic car, the Aston Martin DB5, turns 60 in September and Aston Martin has kicked off its anniversary celebrations.

This month marks exactly 60 years since Aston Martin presented its newcomer, a model that would become an icon of British culture, design and innovation, and which would consolidate Aston Martin as one of the UK’s most important luxury brands to aspire to.

Six decades later, the DB5 remains one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable cars. The model was the star of Aston Martin’s presence at the Goodwood Revival festival in Sussex, along with the latest addition to the brand’s respected DB line, the world’s first supertourer, the DB12. The two models, which mark Aston Martin’s proud past and future, have been photographed together in images released today to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

Reflecting on the DB5’s appeal on its 60th anniversary, Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin and owner of the DB5, said: “The David Brown era gave us great Aston Martin sports cars, but none is as well known, revered and desired as Aston Martin. The DB5, which lays the foundation of our identity as a British luxury brand, is synonymous with style, performance and exclusivity.”

“It’s only right that, as we turn 60, we take a moment to look back and reflect on the extraordinary role this car has played in our 110-year history. We are incredibly proud that the DB lineage continues today with the renowned DB12, “As it was before, it is a celebration of everything we love about British-made sports cars, combining the latest technology and the highest levels of performance.”

Sixties icon

The year was 1963. Aston Martin was enjoying immense popularity and its DB4 had sold very well since its introduction in 1958. However, with strong competition from luxury sports car manufacturers both domestically and on other continents, something needed to be done. new. to keep the brand at the top.

At its official presentation to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963, the newcomer introduced several design, technical and equipment changes compared to its predecessor – especially major improvements to the engine that provided more power – that justified its use. a name that was completely new to the automotive world at the time, but is now synonymous with ultimate style and appeal: the DB5.

These self-explanatory sedans and later convertibles were produced at the brand’s factory and headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, for more than two years, but in that time they established a reputation and fame that, today, they make one. the most desired car of all time.

There is no doubt that the decision by the filmmakers at EON Productions to put the world’s most famous secret agent behind the wheel of the new DB5 in the James Bond film saga spanning more than half a century has cemented his place in the automotive halls of the world. popularity. But 007 isn’t the only “celebrity” seen behind the wheel of this iconic Aston Martin.

The Swinging Sixties were about to begin as crowds flocked to catch a glimpse of the new DB5 in Frankfurt and, in just a few years, many of the era’s most famous actors, pop stars and celebrities would be among the lucky members. exclusive range of Aston Martin owners.

Famous DB5 owners in the 1960s included Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles, and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Comedy master Peter Sellers also acquired the model. In the years since, famous names – from Robert Plant and Jay Kay to Elle McPherson and Ralph Lauren – have ensured that saloon and convertible versions of the car rarely leave the limelight.

Indeed, the DB5’s celebrity appeal proved to be a springboard to success, helping Aston Martin grow from British sports car maker to global automotive superstar.

This figure is even more astonishing when compared to the number of vehicles produced. In total, only 887 DB5 sedans, 123 convertibles, and 12 custom-made shooting brakes were produced. Even by the standards of the time, these figures were small, given that UK car production exceeded 1.8 million in 1963.

Power and glory

The DB5 introduced in Germany featured a new, modified 4.0 liter (3,995 cc) version of the 3.7 liter double overhead cam straight-six engine that powered the DB4. The new engine developed at that time had 282 HP as standard.

This welcome extra power is part of a series of detailed technical and equipment changes, such as the introduction of electric windows and the optional availability of air conditioning, which have been carefully designed to meet increasingly sophisticated and sophisticated customer expectations.

Its performance, which was an Aston Martin hallmark even 60 years ago, was on par with the sleek styling of the car – a product of Italian automaker Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera – and its top speed of 240 km/h led Aston Martin to announce the era to claim: “The DB5 is The fastest 4-seater GT in the world.”

Those impressive statistics, even today, help the British car magazine The Autocar conclude in its first road test of its new model: “this is a very exciting car to drive, to drive well and to drive long distances.”

The DB12, the world’s first supertourer, once again reaffirms Aston Martin’s position as the benchmark for performance, dynamics, engineering and technology.