Classic Aston Martin DB5 owned by one of Bletchley Park’s decoders goes to auction
The 1964 model was first owned by a British Intelligence Officer.
A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon, first owned by a member of the team that decoded and translated Enigma messages during the Second World War, is going to auction.
P.H. Manners Wood Esq. was one of the team responsible for interpreting decoded Enigma messages at Bletchley Park in World War II, allowing the Allies to gain valuable intelligence from German transmissions. Working as part of Air Ultra Intelligence, Wood was part of a group credited by General Dwight D.Eisenhower for speeding up the end of the conflict.
The car in question has only had two more owners since that period, with the present one having owned the DB5 for 56 years. In all, the Sports Saloon has covered 94,000 miles from new and comes equipped with its original interior and ‘matching numbers’ engine.
It even has its original green logbook, factory build sheet and heritage certificate.
Paul Cheetham, senior motor car specialist at H&H Classics, said: “James Bond was not the only British Intelligence Officer to take delivery of an Aston Martin DB5 during 1964, as seen with this wonderful example first owned by Mr Manners Wood.
“We are delighted to be entrusted with the auction of this notably original example, which is sure to attract strong interest from collectors and enthusiasts.”
It’s now going to auction with an estimate of between £350,000 and £400,000, which will be decided at the H&H Classics sale at Sandown Park, Surrey, on Thursday, December 10.