A Princess, Photographer, Film Star And A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Cabriolet

A Princess, Photographer, Film Star And A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Cabriolet

This must be one of those cars with one of the most interesting stories. A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 convertible connecting a film star and a Princess through a photographer. Originally owned by the great comedy actor Peter Sellers, then photographer Lord Snowdon, the husband of HRH Princess Margaret. Lastly his son Viscount Linley.

The car is going to the Bonham auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 9th of July 2021 is the star lot with a sale estimate of £1,300,000 to £1,700,000. The sale returning to Chichester for the best motoring garden party. 

This car’s A list ownership history is certainly impressive, and the car has had an interesting history. In 1964 Peter Sellers bought the car when he was at the peak of his acting career. having starred in such films as The Pink Panther and Dr. Strangelove. It was appropriate for the most desirable of sports cars at the time to be bought by the Aston Martin enthusiast.

The beautiful DB5 was designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggerra. The Caribbean Pearl Blue convertible was one of only 123 soft-top variants. It had the performance to match the looks. With its 282 bhp 4-litre straight-six engine, mated to a state-of-the-art five-speed ZF manual gearbox giving a 145 mph top speed.

ex-Peter Sellers, The Earl of Snowdon_HRH Princess Margaret, Viscount Linley,,1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

There are a few optional extras fitted to the car as Specified by Sellers. The fog lamps. a cigar lighter, a dark blue hood and cover and some non-standard chrome Roadwheels. He also included a wireless Motorola radio car telephone, which was state of the art technology at the time. All of which are noted on the original bill of sale, a copy is include with the car.

Sellers often changed his cars, and it would have been easy for his friend Lord Snowdon to have bought it from him in the late 1960s.

ex-Peter Sellers, The Earl of Snowdon_HRH Princess Margaret, Viscount Linley,,1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

During Snowdon’s ownership, the Earl drove the DB5 to Prague. He was more regularly seen cruising around Chelsea, Mayfair and Soho.

Though word has it, that the DB5’s boot was used to smuggle Lady Jacqueline Rufus Isaacs, the daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Reading, away from his country house when the Princess returned home unexpectedly one evening. So, it’s a practical car too.

The car also saw use as the family car. The second Earl of Snowdon, the Viscount Linley, recalled family journeys; “We always had the windows down so my mother could smoke her cigarettes.”

Linley saw the DB5 as the symbol of James Bond as at the time it was being driven by Sean Connery in the films.

He later commented: “I had the Corgi car, and my father had the real thing. It even had a special gadget – the very first car phone in Britain. It worked a bit like a walkie-talkie; you clicked a button twice and got through to the exchange.”

ex-Peter Sellers, The Earl of Snowdon_HRH Princess Margaret, Viscount Linley,,1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

The Aston has spent a few years on display at the National Motoring Museum at Beaulieu. The car was handed down from father to son in 1986 to mark his 25th birthday.

Going against the advice of keeping it in the museum, the second Earl fitted heat deflecting panels in the footwells to cope with modern traffic and even drove the car to Italy.

The DB5 has been maintained and rebuilt several times by the Aston Martin Works Service. It would often be parked next to the DB6 of his cousin, the Prince of Wales.

After more than 30 years of family ownership the second Earl sold the DB5 as he found “the pain and pleasure of owning a classic vehicle mounted up.”

The car has been cherished over its last 10 years of ownership the car has also been quite the fundraiser. Raising millions of pounds of UK children’s charities, via many tours and appearances.

To bid or view the car visit: bonhams.com

ex-Peter Sellers, The Earl of Snowdon_HRH Princess Margaret, Viscount Linley,,1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

Thanks to Bonhams for the images.

Simon

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