Aston Martin DB5. With Air Conditioning

This DB5 was first registered in October 1965 and left the factory in its original Autumn Gold over Beige Connolly to first keeper Mr A R Mackenzie from Brierly Hill, West Midlands. Factory records show the car returning to Newport Pagnell on various occasions for servicing and other work up to 1968 when it became the property of second owner Frank Aston & Co Ltd of Iron Bridge, Shropshire. It was subsequently purchased in 1978 by Aston Martin employee Jess Line, who worked in Newport Pagnell from 1975 until 2003, retiring as Chief Engineer. Apparently, Line took the opportunity of buying the DB5 when it arrived at the Aston Martin Service Department in need of ‘some work’, and took it on as a personal restoration project using the knowledge and resources, he had around him from his fellow Aston employees. He drove the car home on a ‘failing clutch’ and put it in his garage where the marathon restoration project began. Undertaken purely for pleasure and as a labour of love with no time limit the project lasted some 29 years with the DB5 remaining at the Line household throughout! Although he never quite finished the project completely to his satisfaction, Mr Line decided to part with his Aston, and in 2008 it was purchased by its next keeper.

The new owner kept the car for a few years but decided that although much work had been undertaken, some of it was now over 30 years old and in need of some remedial work. To enhance the DB5 to his preferred specification he commissioned marque specialist Desmond J Smail to undertake a full restoration which began in 2013.

This included a bare metal re-spay in Silver Birch and a complete re-trim in Black Connolly leather and Wilton carpets. The engine was completely re-built to 4. 2 unleaded specification with electronic ignition, electric cooling fans and a complete overhaul to the carburettors. All major mechanical components were overhauled; front and rear suspensions re-built with adjustable telescopic shock conversion handling kit to the rear. The DB5 has been further enhanced for driver comfort with discreet power steering and air conditioning along with sound and heat proofing.

The restoration was completed in 2014, and having moved temporarily to the United States the new keeper took his DB5 with him. After minimal dry state use, owner and car returned to the UK in 2021 when it was given back to Desmond J Smail Ltd to find its new keeper, which they duly did in 2022. This iconic Aston Martin has been seldom used but much admired since then, has been well maintained and serviced by Desmond J Smail, remains in superb condition throughout and comes with a comprehensive record of restoration and maintenance.