When most people picture the iconic Aston Martin DB5, their minds instantly drift to cinematic spy gadgets, high-speed European pursuits, and sleek saloon lines. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful silhouettes ever penned.
But what happens when you love the unparalleled aesthetic of a DB5 but your lifestyle demands a serious injection of utilitarian versatility? You look to the rarest variant ever produced.
Heading to the auction block via RM Sotheby’s is a truly mythological piece of automotive history: the 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake by Radford.
Commanding a jaw-dropping auction estimate of £800,000 – £1,000,000, this magnificent machine represents the absolute pinnacle of ultra-exclusive, coachbuilt British luxury. It is a vehicle that doesn’t just celebrate history; it completely redefines it.
Built for a Hunting Dog and Polo Gear
The origin story of the DB5 Shooting Brake is the stuff of pure automotive legend. Aston Martin’s legendary chairman, Sir David Brown, was a man who demanded effortless performance and composed handling from any car bearing his “DB” initials.
He was also an avid country sportsman. He quickly realized that his personal DB5 Saloon was wildly impractical for carrying his polo gear, and his prized hunting dog was a recipe for disaster when paired with pristine Connolly leather.
According to company lore, Brown walked into a board meeting, dropped his hunting dog onto the boardroom table, and bluntly instructed his engineers: “Build me something for him to sit in.”
The engineering team delivered. Because the factory was completely backlogged with standard DB5 orders fueled by the global success of Goldfinger, Aston Martin outsourced the ambitious project to the elite coachbuilders at Harold Radford.
A 150 MPH Coachbuilt Masterclass
Transforming a sleek sports tourer into a high-capacity estate car was no small feat. Radford’s craftsmen essentially had to rebuild the vehicle from the windscreen back.
They stripped away the original Superleggera tubular roof structure, replacing it with custom steel fabrications that culminated in a striking, single-piece rear hatch.
* Core Rarity: One of only 12 factory Radford Shooting Brakes ever built
* Layout: Extremely rare right-hand-drive configuration (1 of just 8)
* Utility: Folding rear seats opening up over 40 cubic feet of cargo space
* Performance: Top speed of 150 mph; 100-0 mph braking in 6 seconds
Inside, Radford fitted ingenious folding rear seats, opening up a cavernous payload space of more than 40 cubic feet.
Remarkably, despite being four inches longer than the standard saloon, the Shooting Brake sacrificed absolutely none of its legendary performance.
It could still rocket all the way to a top speed of 150 mph and decelerate from a blistering 100 mph to a dead stop in a mere six seconds.
Impeccable Provenance and Matching Numbers
The specimen on offer from RM Sotheby’s, chassis number DB5/2014/R, is a holy grail for serious collectors. Not only is it one of the original 12 Radford conversions, but it is also one of just eight highly coveted right-hand-drive examples built for the British home market.
Coming out of nearly 20 years of continuous family ownership, the car is presented in a spectacular colorway, finished in gleaming silver over a stunning cabin lined with grey Machir wool-tweed and black leather upholstery.
It even features a black Webasto folding panoramic roof for open-air grand touring.
| Specification | Details |
| Chassis Number | DB5/2014/R |
| Engine | Original matching-numbers unit (V-suffix, likely Vantage spec) |
| Recent Resto | Full paint rectification and restoration in 2021 by Ball Hill Garage |
| Receipts | Over £105,000 in continuous maintenance invoices |
Crucially for purists, the car retains its original matching-numbers engine.
The block features a distinctive “V” suffix stamping, strongly suggesting the powerplant was upgraded to high-performance Vantage specification during its life.
The car has been maintained with an open checkbook. Invoices document over £105,000 in recent upkeep by top-tier British marque specialists, including over £92,000 of comprehensive work by the renowned RS Williams of Cobham.
Following a full paint restoration in 2021 and a thorough electrical overhaul and road test in January 2025, this pristine estate is a turn-key collector’s dream.
For the enthusiast who values unparalleled rarity, country pursuits, and unmatched mid-century style, missing out on this Radford masterpiece simply isn’t an option.
