The Aston Martin DB5 coupe is perhaps the most Iconic movie car ever made. It’s appearance in multiple James Bond films over the decades have ensured its place as one of the most recognized cars to come out of the UK, despite only 897 examples being built. The DB5 was an upgraded version of the DB4, which was Aston Martin’s first official Superleggera bodied car. With bodies built by Touring, in Milano, Italy, the skin is aluminum over a lightweight steel frame. Built as a 2+2 GT car, the DB5 looked much like the DB4, but featured a 4 liter version of all aluminum engine from the DB4, which displaced 3.7 liters. The DB5 was also fitted with a 5 speed ZF gearbox replacing the earlier 4 speed with optional overdrive, and was three SU carburettors, producing 282 horsepower, like in the DB4 Vantage spec. There was also a DB5 vantage spec created, with 65 built, which increased output to 325 horsepower. Even with the aluminum body, the car is fairly heavy, at nearly 500 pounds more than the contemporary Jaguar E-Type coupe, though with a noticeable power upgrade to help compensate. Along with the coupe, Aston Martin built a convertible version, also in small numbers. I purchased this Aston Martin DB5 while visiting the UK and shipped it back to the United States. This car was restored in the 1990s, with changes made to increase its performance and usability as a driver’s car rather than a show car. The engine was significantly bored out and a new crank was fitted, bringing displacement to 4.8 liters. The original SU carburettors were replaced with three Weber DCOE carbs and all these upgrades have taken the engine to 345 dyno proven horsepower and 353 Ft-Lb of torque. To go along with the increase in power, the fenders, both front and rear were flared out to fit larger more modern tires, fitted to custom alloy rimmed 16 inch Turrino wire wheels, modern power steering was fitted, along with air conditioning, upgraded brakes, and other creature comforts. The changes to the body and mechanicals rule this car out of concours competitions, but improve the car’s ability to function as a very comfortable touring car. Performance is impressive and handling is excellent, noticeably above that of a standard DB5 or even the Vantage spec car.