Gorgeous and luxurious cars - this is what the English company Aston Martin produces. In the mid-twentieth century, the famous spy machine of all time came into the world (pictured Aston Martin DB5). Today, this creation of the British is the subject of a collection, which indicates the welfare of the owner.
The origins of creating a model
The British company Aston Martin produces very expensive sports cars. The company is a division of Ford Motor Company.
Back in 1914, two designers, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, assembled a sports car with an engine of 1.4 liters. The year before this event on Aston-Clinton Hill, Martin won the amateur competition with the Singer-10. The name of the English company came from this significant event (Aston Martin).
It was a sports car of the first generation of the concern, which impressed the public.
Second generation
In 1919, the company developed the project of the second Aston model, although the machine was only launched in January 1920.
In the mid-20th century, the company was bought by David Brown, who at that time owned a large agricultural machinery company. A year later, the Aston Martin-Lagonda DB1 sports car was released. The letters in the name indicate the initials of the owner of the concern - David Brown.
"Lagonda" was also the property of a British businessman and it was their motors that were on the first models. In total, DB1 was released 15 pieces. After a year's wait, an updated DB2 model was released, which increased engine capacity to 2.6 liters and a capacity of 105 horsepower.
The second generation of David Brown participated in many racing competitions in the class of up to 3 liters. At the same time, it achieved excellent results and established itself from the sidelines exclusively as racing cars. It is worth noting that it was the version of DB2 that gave rise to the streamlined body of Aston Martin, and subsequently there were few changes in appearance. A distinctive feature was the trapezoidal radiator grille coated with chrome.
Change to older brother
The next version of Aston was produced for three years from 1953 to 1956 and had the name DB-3S. The model turned out to be an excellent sports car, and the special DBR-3 won a huge number of awards among various types of races. In the same years, the company released several cars for Formula-1, but they did not use special successes, unlike the racing cars of the company.
The next generation DB4 was significantly different from its older brothers. The model has acquired an aluminum engine with 6 cylinders and a volume of 3.7 liters. At that time, this monster gave out 240 horsepower. The 4th generation turned out to be the most successful development of the company in the Gran Turismo category. DBS Aston Martin developed a maximum of 257 kilometers per hour, while it is worth considering that this is a 4-seater sedan.
Zagato DB-4GT, which appeared in 1960 in the amount of 19 cars, has survived to our time. And all cars delight their owners with their elegance and sporty character.
Favorite of all
Three years later, after the release of version 4, the company sets up production of the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 generation. The sports car was distinguished from its older brother only by the presence of a 4-liter engine, which reached 282 “horses”.
Further, the company increased its car production. New models received more powerful motors. Changes in appearance, as well as the technical equipment of Aston Martin, were not left behind. The modern design and body style has allowed the company to win the hearts of many motorists.
Absolutely everyone liked the car, attractive appearance and catchy chrome details remained for a long time in the thoughts of passers-by.
But the speech in our article will not be about modern super-powerful coupes of the British company. Let's take a closer look at a model 55 years ago - the Aston Martin DB5.
Car interior
Salon at that time was not distinguished by luxury and high cost of materials. The pile floor upholstery looked very interesting and practical. The seats were very comfortable and allowed the driver to spend a long time behind the wheel without much difficulty.
To say that the dashboard is beautiful, to say nothing. The luxury of shiny elements indicates the high cost of the model. The entire tidy is strewn with round dials of various pointers, which are very striking. The chrome edging of the indicators looks pretty stylish.
The soft illumination of the sensors looks very restrained and does not underestimate the assessment of the interior.
Despite the presence of two doors, the Aston Martin DB5 has a 4-seater saloon. But in the back row, passengers are not particularly comfortable because of the low roof of the grand tourism sedan.
The main feature was the availability of power windows and air conditioning, which at that time were considered a luxury item.
Appearance
DB5 continues the traditional performance of the Aston Martin 3-generation body. The smoothness and dynamism of the lines are striking in their consistency. The proportions are met to the smallest detail. The company nameplate with the company symbol flaunts on the front of the car and immediately makes it clear that we are not just a sports car, but a real British citizen.
Stylish bumpers sparkling in front and behind are not only an element of beauty, but also a kind of car security system. In a collision, they transfer impact energy to the supporting structure of the frame.
Even then, the car acquired a proprietary radiator grill, the shape of which has survived to our time. Elegant rounded headlights are a continuation of the front fenders, on which the side mirrors are located. The rear optics are made in the form of three separate lamps, framed by metal rings.
On the hood there is a small air intake that does not spoil the appearance, but only gives expressiveness. The abundance of chrome parts will not allow you to take your eyes off this sports car. Even multi-spoke wheels are covered with chrome.
Specifications
With a weight of 1,500 kilograms, the Aston Martin DB5 accelerated to “hundreds” in 7 seconds. Such dynamic performance is achieved using a 4-liter engine with two overhead camshafts. Power indicators were simply amazing - 282 horsepower allowed to compete on the track with all the famous manufacturers of racing cars.
Initially, the motor worked in conjunction with a four-speed manual transmission. But then the company abandoned this design and developed a new 3-speed automatic transmission. Simultaneously with the "automatic" and produced models with 5-speed mechanics.
Thanks to the three-carburetor design, the car accelerated to 233 km / h. A little later, the Aston Martin DB5 Vantage got a 325-horsepower unit.
Low landing of the car provided excellent controllability and stability on the road. Managing it was a pleasure, many enthusiastic looks escorted the driver. A significant improvement in the technical characteristics of the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 was the use of an alternator and an advanced exhaust system.
Racing past
Almost all models of the company took part in racing competitions. Back in 1924, during the race at Monza, Renwick bought for 6,000 pounds a car broken in these competitions, a one and a half liter engine became the main power unit of all Aston Martin models. The company went through engine refinements by increasing power and applying new technologies.
From 1934 to 1936, the Ulster was successful in the 24-hour Le Mans racing competition.
The DB5 considered by us did not distinguish itself in the history of the company by significant victories at major competitions. But at the same time, the car could show itself on the streets of the city as an aggressively tuned sports coupe.
Modern models very often perform at eminent racing competitions. This is mainly a version of DBS and DB9 with engine powers that go beyond the 500 horsepower mark.
Movie work
A year after the publication of the Aston Martin DB5, he appeared in the James Bond film. The famous actor, Sean Connery, was in the lead. It was after this movie masterpiece that the model became famous among motorists. Many dreamed of buying a car of the best movie spy.
Subsequently, DB5 appeared in films such as Ball Lightning, Casino Royale and Tomorrow Never Dies. But few people know that initially the elder brother, Aston Martin DB3, claimed the role of the main character’s vehicle. But during the filming, Bond first sat behind the wheel of a 5th generation model of a British sports car.
Undoubtedly, the Aston Martin DB5 will be remembered for many years. After all, the first association with the car will be associated with the spy movie. Everyone would like to be in the place of Sean Connery and enjoy the magnificent racing coupe.
Not so long ago, at the American auction in Arizona, the famous Aston Martin DB5 by James Bond was sold for an astonishing price of $ 2,090,000.