A dilapidated Aston Martin DB5 that spent nearly five decades rotting on a driveway has been restored to its former glory and is now valued at up to £1 million. Welsh welder John Williams purchased the sports car for just £900 in 1973 at age 19, but mothballed it four years later when he took a job in the Middle East.
The classic car remained on Williams' driveway in a state of severe disrepair for decades. Local children played on the vehicle, with one incident breaking its exhaust pipe. Williams said he felt «a bit ashamed that I'd let her get into that state» and it «became a goal of mine to get her restored».
Three-year restoration
Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, began the restoration in late 2022. The project required more than 2,500 hours of dedicated work across the company's panel, paint, trim and heritage workshops.
Paul Spires, president of Aston Martin Works, acknowledged the challenge. «Although the car was in a profoundly run-down condition when it arrived, we always relish a challenge and I knew we have the skills, dedication and expertise to return the car to a better-than-new condition,» he said.
Back to former glory
Williams drove the restored DB5 for the first time in nearly 50 years. «It's been a long time coming, a long time saving, but it's been worth every penny,» he said. «It's probably almost 50 years since I have driven this car, but the experience is phenomenal. It's just … unbelievable. My girl's back and up and running. Back to her former glory.»
Spires said the finished car «looks absolutely stunning». He noted that only 1,022 DB5s were produced between 1963 and 1965. Williams' car is painted in Silver Birch, the same color as the Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in 007 films.
«While it might be uncouth to speculate on values for the car I think it's reasonable to suppose that if it ever were to be offered to the market once more, and bearing in mind its specification and provenance, a value of up to £1 million would be in order,» Spires said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
