HOW a beautiful car like this could be left to languish in a dusty barn, unloved and seemingly unwanted, is beyond me.
But this 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe is set to have another day in the spotlight when it comes under the auctioneer’s gavel at the annual Bonhams auction at Aston Martin’s Heritage Showroom in Newport Pagnell this Saturday (May 18, 2013).
It is in original condition and has less than 48,000 miles on the clock. In need of restoration after 30 years off the road, in the garage of an Aston Martin Owners Club member, the DB5 will, it’s estimated, fetch between £150,000 and £200,000.
The car’s most recent owner, Aston Martin Owner’s Club member David Ettridge, bought it for £1,500 in 1972, an amount that equates to approximately £14,000 in today’s money. After initial use in the 1970s, the car has remained parked in his garage since 1980.
The engine had not been started since that date, as a result of which evidence of a mouse nest made of shredded newspaper can still be seen in the engine bay. But after careful preparation, the car’s engine was fired up after 30 plus years of silence with David Ettridge’s daughters in attendance to witness the momentous occasion.
The annual Bonhams auction is the 14th to be held at Aston Martin Works. It has the distinction of being the first major event to make use of the Heritage Showroom, the final stage of the major redevelopment of the historic Aston Martin Works site.
The sale has attracted some fascinating cars, not least a unique Aston Martin DB4GT pictured above which is expected to realise between £2.8 and £3.8 million.
The DB4GT going under the hammer is nicknamed ‘The Jet’ and was the last DB4GT off the production line at Aston Martin Works.
It is the only one of its kind with coachwork by Italian design house Bertone and made its debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. It was one of the first design commissions for Giorgetto Giugiaro, who went on to become one of the most celebrated automotive designers of our time.
The car’s recently deceased owner had it restored to concours condition by Aston Martin Works.
Other sale highlights include a 1966 DB6 Mk I and a 1969 DB6 Vantage Volante.
Kingsley Riding-Felce, Managing Director of Aston Martin Works, said: “The Bonhams sale is a keenly anticipated annual event at Aston Martin Works, and it is more than fitting it should be the first to make use of the fully refurbished Olympia Building which now houses our Heritage Showroom.
“The Heritage Showroom enables Aston Martin Works for the first time to sell heritage cars directly, allowing clients to draw on the vast knowledge of the Works team and its experience in handling sales, on-going service and of course, its world-renowned restoration division. Given its proximity to the new-car showroom, it also offers buyers the unique experience of being able to view and compare cars from every era of Aston Martin’s 100 years.”
Aston Martin Works is again offering its popular ‘premier lunch’ package for visitors to the Bonhams auction. Tickets, priced at £180, provide reserved parking, a sale catalogue, reserved auction seating, bespoke enamel lapel badge, refreshments on arrival, champagne, a three-course buffet lunch with wine, and afternoon refreshments.
Aston Martin Works is in Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell, and the auction gets under way at 11am
Details: www.bonhams.com