One to Buy: 1 of 1 Vantage-engined 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting-break
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Thanks to an advanced specification and Rolls-Royce standard of luxury, the Aston Martin DB5 was already among the most expensive cars available during the mid 1960s.
However, the list price of a standard DB5 could be increased by around 50% should a buyer wish to have his or her car built to Shooting-break configuration at Harold Radford Coachbuilders in London.
Radford’s Shooting-break conversion came about as Aston Martin company owner, David Brown, wanted a car that could accommodate his gun dog, Candy. Having turned to Radford to create something suitable, Brown took delivery of his handsome new machine in April 1965.
Inevitably, some customers who saw Brown’s personalised DB5 in the press and at the factory requested their own example. Radford subsequently created a further eleven DB5 Shooting-breaks followed by another four on the DB6 platform.
One of those supremely rare DB5 Shooting-breaks is currently on offer at the Nicholas Mee showroom in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Chassis DB5/2047/R was configured with a California Sage exterior, Red upholstery, manual transmission and right-hand drive steering. Like all the Radford Shooting-breaks, it started life as a complete new car prior to conversion which went some way to explaining the enormous list price.
Following the completion of Radford’s work, DB5/2047/R returned to the factory where it was treated to a Vantage specification engine. None of the other eleven DB5 Shooting-breaks were equipped with this desirable option making DB5/2047/R unique among an already exclusive group.
Today the car is presented in beautiful restored condition having covered a little over 59,000 miles from new.
