Aston Martin Convertible Sets World Record at Paris Auction

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible sets new world record at Bonhams Grand Palais sale in Paris, after an intense bidding war among rare car collectors. Image courtesy of Bonhams auctions

AUCTION NEWS: Rare 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible helps Bonhams achieve the most successful European motoring sale to date

PARIS- A rare 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible set a new world auction record at €1,897,500 (£1,430,715) during Bonhams Grand Palais sale in Paris. The sale was part of the over two million Euros worth of Aston Martin that went under the hammer at Bonhams Grand Palais sale recently. A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible also made an impressive showing selling at €1,060,000 (£750,000).

There was great excitement even before the Paris auction opened. At the center of the frenzy was the Aston Martin DB5 Convertible. As expected, when bidding began, the battle for who will own these precious cars became apparent. The bidding war was not unexpected.

Aston Martin, though synonymous with Britain, is celebrated across the globe. Throughout its decades of manufacture, this exceptional car stood out among the best car manufacturers in the world. Aston Martin’s iconic motor cars became synonymous with British film heroes, who gladly show off their exceptional priced possession. The DB4 and DB5 Aston Martin are even more sought after now by rare car collectors.

That the rare 1965 DB5 Convertible set up a bidding war at the Paris auction at the Grand Palais is not surprising. Only 35 DB5 convertibles were ever made in left-hand drive, making the offering a very rare find. First introduced in 1963, the DB5 was a development of the preceding DB4. The elegant and classically proportioned car caught the attention of many because of its Touring-designed body. For more than 7 years, the design of the DB5 gave it prominence during its time.

The 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible also did well because of its rareness. With only 70 produced, the 1962 DB4C is one of the rarest road cars of its time. The design of the DB4 Convertible also made it attractive to the celebrities of its era. The extraordinary car combines the brand’s traditional virtues of style and performance with the delights of open-air motoring and is today a most sought after and highly prized motor car.

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The world record auction price achieved by Aston Martin DB5 Convertible at the Bonhams Grand Palais sale in Paris sets the tone for Bonhams rare car auction of 2015. James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said:

Bonhams European motoring department has witnessed a tremendous start to 2015. The Paris auction has been the most successful to date, with a record breaking price for the stunning Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, international bidding, some stunning motor cars, and a record breaking total for a motor car auction held by the Bonhams Group in continental Europe. The market is in rude health – we look forward to continuing the trend for record setting motoring auctions as the year progresses.

The great outcome and exceptional prices recorded by the rare 1965 DB5 Convertible during the Paris auction at the Grand Palais places Bonhams on a great pedestal for 2015. Beyond the fact that this is Bonhams most successful European motoring sale to date, it also shows prospects for the future in the rare car sale auctions.