Aston Martin DB5 restoration Returns John Williams’ 1965 Vantage to Factory Glory

Aston Martin DB5 restoration Takes Three Years, Value Soars to $1.3 Million

Between its potent performance, gorgeous lines, and presence in the James Bond film Goldfinger, the Aston Martin DB5 has achieved legendary status. Now, the grand tourer’s desirability has been underlined by a spectacular rebuild. The Aston Martin DB5 restoration of John Williams’ 1965 model has been fully completed by Aston Martin Works, skyrocketing its value to over £1 million (around $1.32 million).

Williams purchased the DB5 as a teenager in 1973 for just £900, using it as a daily driver before mothballing it for decades. The meticulous factory restoration has resulted in a car that is better than new, closing an extraordinary 50-year ownership chapter.

Here is a look at the car’s rare specification and the massive return on investment.

The Teenage Dream and the Long Wait

John Williams accomplished what few do: purchasing his dream car as a teenager. He bought the DB5 in 1973, aged 19, after saving up for over a year.

The car ended up standing on his driveway for decades after Williams secured a job in the Middle East in 1977. Despite its profoundly run-down condition, Williams resisted numerous offers to sell, famously citing his wife’s advice: “you’ll never get another one.”

Vantage Specs and Factory Glory

Williams chose Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell—the car’s original birthplace—to complete the Aston Martin DB5 restoration, a process that took three years. The resulting GT is one of the most desirable specifications ever built:

• Engine: Higher-output Vantage-spec 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, complete with triple Weber carburetors, producing 325 horsepower (330 PS).
• Rarity: This particular example is a right-hand drive 1965 DB5 saloon finished in Silver Birch—the color made famous by James Bond. It is one of only 39 saloons originally built in this highly sought-after Vantage specification and color combination.
• Work: The restoration involved a full bare-metal rebuild of the chassis and Superleggera frame, with each aluminum body panel being hand-formed to original factory specifications.

The successful Aston Martin DB5 restoration is one of the most remarkable pieces of automotive appreciation in history, ensuring Williams and his family can enjoy many years of happy motoring in their “new” classic.

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