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This Ultra-Rare 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sport Saloon Project Is Headed To Auction

Auction Block 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project 0 Hero
Photos: Bonhams

With clean examples routinely fetching well above half a million dollars at auction, it’s fair to say that the Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon is one of the most prized and sought-after classic sports cars in existence — an area furthered by the fact that only 1,021 specimens of the Sports Saloon-spec DB5 were ever made. And while typically acquiring one of these legendary British saloons comes at an enormous cost, one of these investment-grade rides is currently being offered at a markedly more attainable sum in the form of a complete 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon project — assuming you don’t mind putting in the necessary work to assemble the car. 

Auction Block 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project 1
Photo: Bonhams

Utilizing the same engine found in the also iconic Lagonda Rapide from 1961, this 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon was kicked along by a larger, bored-out 4.0-liter mill. Known as the “400,” this engine cranked out 282hp and came paired with a ‘proper’ ZF five-speed gearbox that would later become a standard option on the vehicle, before being replaced by the more potent 314-hp Vantage unit in 1964. This special Sports Saloon variant also benefitted from the DB4GT’s cowled headlight setup, twin fuel filler caps, Girling disc brakes, electronically-operated glass Sundym windows, and an oil pressure gauge — all as standard equipment. 

Auction Block 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project 2
Photo: Bonhams

One of 1,021 DB5s ever to leave the factory, this particular example was first sold to an owner in Scotland, before it would eventually be imported into Germany. From there, the plan was to treat the Aston Martin to a ground up restoration, though costs quickly snowballed, and after being fully broken down, the project — while complete — was left dismantled in parts. Under the hood, the car packs the 314-hp  triple-Weber carb-fed Vantage engine — a fact that makes this already prized example all the more rare and valuable, considering only 95 DB5s were ever built with this powertrain. So, while it is disassembled and in boxes, this sale includes everything needed to return this bucket list car to its former glory — minus some time, paint, patience, and elbow grease.

Auction Block 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project 3
Photo: Bonhams

Offered with no reserve price, this Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project is expected to fetch between £220,000 (~ $282,000) and £300,000 (~ $385,000) when it takes it turn going under the hammer at Bonhams’ upcoming Goodwood Festival Of Speed Sale on July 17th.