An original-condition Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon that had lain in a garage since 1980, forgotten and gathering dust, is to auction on May 18 in Buckinghamshire. The 1964 model has fewer than 48,000 miles on the clock and carries a presale estimate of £150,000-200,000 ($235,691-314,379).
 The 1964 model is offered from a deceased estate in good condition |
Having not been driven for more than 30 years, the Aston Martin became home to a mouse that made his nest, from newspaper, in the engine bay.
James Knight, group director of Bonhams' classic car department, commented: "The Bonhams motor car department has handled the sale of numerous 'barn-find' Aston Martins over the past 15 years, but none of them have been in as good condition as this DB5.
"It requires restoration in the true sense of the word, restoring existing original components as opposed to replacing them."
The car was bought by David Ettridge for £1,500 in 1972 - a figure that equates to approximately £14,000 in today's money. If it sells for £200,000 on May 18, it will have achieved an impressive compound annual growth rate of 6.70%.
Knight comments: "There can be no greater satisfaction for the true enthusiast than restoring a once-great motor car to its former glory, and we hope that the new owner of this time-warp will preserve as much of its integrity as possible."
For more information on the investment potential of the classic car market, visit Paul Fraser Collectibles' free guide to investing in classic cars.
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