1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible – Exterior and Interior – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021
In 1965, the Aston Martin DB5 Convertible combined British grand touring refinement with open-top exclusivity. Built in very limited numbers, it offered the same 4.0-litre straight-six performance as the coupé, but with added rarity. Among DB5 variants, the Convertible—later called the Volante—remains one of the most sought-after.
Technical Details
The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible was powered by a 3,995 cc inline six-cylinder engine designed by Tadek Marek. Constructed from aluminum alloy, the twin overhead camshaft unit featured triple SU carburetors as standard. Output was rated at approximately 282 bhp (SAE gross), enabling a top speed in the region of 145 mph (around 233 km/h), depending on gearing and specification.
Power was delivered to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox supplied by ZF, replacing the earlier four-speed units used in previous DB-series models. A three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission was available as an option. The DB5 retained a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, mounted within a tubular platform chassis with aluminum body panels built over a steel frame.
Suspension consisted of independent front wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers, while the rear employed a live axle located by trailing arms and a Watt linkage, also suspended by coil springs. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard, reflecting Aston Martin’s focus on high-speed touring stability. Compared with the DB4 Convertible, the DB5 offered incremental improvements in engine displacement, interior refinement, and braking performance.
- Manufacturer: Aston Martin
- Model Name: Aston Martin DB5 Convertible
- Year of Manufacturing: 1963–1965
Design
The Aston Martin DB5 Convertible shared its core styling with the DB5 coupé, itself an evolution of the DB4 designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The proportions were defined by a long bonnet, gently sloping rear deck, and balanced cabin placement. The absence of a fixed roof emphasized the flowing beltline and accentuated the car’s grand touring character.
The folding fabric hood retracted neatly behind the rear seats, preserving the car’s clean profile when lowered. Chrome bumpers, wire wheels (often optional), and restrained brightwork underscored the DB5’s understated luxury. Inside, the cabin reflected mid-1960s British craftsmanship: leather upholstery, wool carpeting, and a dashboard populated by round Smiths instruments. Electric windows were standard equipment, an advanced feature for the period, alongside reclining seats and high-quality trim materials.
Although visually similar to the coupé, the Convertible’s reinforced structure subtly altered its proportions, with minor differences in rear deck contour and roofline integration. Production numbers were low—fewer than 125 Convertibles were built—making it significantly rarer than the coupé version.
Historical Significance
The Aston Martin DB5 occupies a central place in the brand’s history, representing the culmination of the DB4/DB5 development cycle before the introduction of the DB6 in 1965. The Convertible variant marked Aston Martin’s commitment to offering open grand touring cars within its flagship range.
While the DB5 coupé achieved global fame through its association with the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964), the Convertible was not the primary on-screen Bond car of that era. Nevertheless, its close visual identity to the cinematic DB5 reinforced its desirability. In later decades, a small number of DB5 Convertibles were commissioned with Bond-style features, further enhancing their cultural profile.
Production concluded in 1965 as the DB6 began to replace the DB5 in the model hierarchy. Because the Convertible was built in limited numbers during a short production window, it became one of the rarest factory DB5 variants, contributing to its long-term collector status.
Quirks and Pop Culture
Although overshadowed in media exposure by the DB5 coupé, the Convertible gained its own cultural significance through rarity and exclusivity. In Aston Martin terminology, the name “Volante” would later become standard for convertible models; retrospectively, many DB5 Convertibles are referred to as DB5 Volantes, even though the term was more formally associated with the subsequent DB6 Volante.
Among collectors, the DB5 Convertible is valued not only for its mechanical specification but also for its limited production numbers. Its connection to the broader DB5 legend ensures strong recognition, even without direct cinematic prominence. Over time, it has come to symbolize the open-top expression of Aston Martin’s 1960s grand touring philosophy.
Display and preservation:
The vehicle was exhibited at the Auto Zürich Classic Car Show in 2021. As part of the broader Auto Zürich Car Show, the Classic section has grown into a key attraction for lovers of historic vehicles in Switzerland. In 2021, the event took place at Messe Zürich and featured a dedicated hall showcasing a curated selection of vintage automobiles, spanning from pre-war icons to youngtimers. The atmosphere combined elegance with accessibility, allowing visitors to admire rare collector cars alongside enthusiast vehicles. Special displays highlighted Swiss automotive heritage and featured club presentations and dealer exhibits.
Conclusion
The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible represents a refined and exclusive chapter in Aston Martin’s DB lineage. Equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-cam straight-six engine, five-speed gearbox, disc brakes, and a lightweight aluminum body, it combined performance with craftsmanship. Its elegant open design and limited production distinguish it within the DB5 family. As part of Aston Martin’s mid-1960s evolution, the DB5 Convertible remains a rare and significant example of British grand touring tradition.
