The car made famous by cinema’s greatest secret agent, James Bond, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is a true show stopper. While that pop cultural notoriety makes this model Aston Martin’s most unforgettable, this vehicle is more than a gimmick: it represents the paragon of mid-century automobile design and manufacture. As the folks at Charlotte AutoFair Produced by Hornets Nest Region, AACA, organizers of North Carolina’s largest and most extensive vintage auto show will tell you, it’s a vehicle that truly sets itself apart among collector cars.

What makes the DB5 so special? Let’s take a look at the specs:

• Engine: The 1964 model features an all-aluminum engine enlarged from previous models’ 3.7 L to 4.0 L. It produces 282 bhp, allowing the car to reach speeds of 143 mph.
• Transmission: Most DB5s feature a ZF five speed transmission.
• Body: These two door cars employ a sleek, modernist design in the exterior and chrome wire wheels. This was one of the first models to have electric windows, and the interior includes full leather trim, reclining seats and wool pile carpets.
• Acceleration: Even now, few cars match the power acceleration of the DB5: it goes from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds.

Elegant in design and extremely powerful, it makes sense, then, that the DB 5 would be one of 007’s favorites. This legendary and quite rare vehicle—only 1,023 were ever produced—is one of many beautiful vintage cars that are featured at Charlotte AutoFair. Bringing together thousands of antique automobile enthusiasts twice a year, this antique car show is a comprehensive source of vintage vehicles and restoration parts open to buyers and sellers alike.To learn more about the fair, find out the dates of the next one or register as a vendor, check out Charlotte AutoFair Produced by Hornets Nest Region, AACA's website or call (704) 841-1990.