1966 Aston Martin DB5 V8 Factory Prototype 'The Mythical Beast' - Nicholas Mee & Company

The Mythical Beast
1966 Aston Martin DB5 V8 Factory Prototype
Every so often, a very special Aston Martin can come to market, one which is both, almost unbelievable and unbearably desirable. A car, which to those in the know, evokes thoughts of what it might be like to drive and how did it come about, what of its historical context and who was responsible for building it? The special and unique car, I’d like to bring to your attention, is as fascinating and thought provoking as it is exciting, it is simply put, an ex’ Aston Martin factory-built prototype, constructed and used in period, to prove the then, newly designed Tadek Marek V8 engine and a de Dion rear suspension designs.
This astonishing DB5, chassis number 001/D/P, is a mythical beast and surely the David Brown era classic Aston Martin that every devotee of the marque, would like to get behind the wheel of.
In trying to unravel the history and background of this original ‘brute in a suit’, we are immensely proud and honoured to be bringing you a conversation with the very man, who between 1966 and 1969, was responsible, with his team of engineer colleagues, for devising, engineering and building this former prototype, under the roof of Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell engineering and experimental department. Bill Bannard, when not ‘on the welding gear and spanners’ was also tasked with driving this very car, covering over 300 miles a day, in proving not only the new V8 engine, but engineering and testing the new de dion rear axle arrangement too, both, engineering developments which went on to be productionised later.
Just some of fascinating insight and facts we learned from Bannard, who rose to become director of Engineering at Aston Martin before his retirement, include:- knowing now that this prototypes mechanical configuration, could well have been productionised and fitted in later variants of the DB6, had it not been for a late board room decision, to first release the V8 engine and drivetrain, in a new and larger car, appealing more to the growing American market, that car was to yet to come and would become known as the DBS. We also learned that this experimental car was the very first prototype ever, to have been built at the then new Newport Pagnell facilities and that, the unique chassis, has a wheelbase measuring over 4 inches longer, than a period production DB5.
Unlike the V8 engine nestling under a slightly modified DB5 bonnet, It’s difficult to spot the additional 4 inches in the wheelbase, but having measured it, wheel centre to wheel centre, the additional length is there!
Restored over twenty years ago, driving this mythical beast is not only a privilege, but also highly rewarding with acres of torque and power, well controlled suspension and brakes to match. The restorers brief, of making the car useable on a daily basis, being well executed. To wonder what Aston Martin’s future would have held, had this car been productionised, is of course fantasy, but non the less a deeply interesting thought.
Now, we are immensely proud to have found a new custodian for what must surely be described as an important part of Aston Martin’s history. A true enthusiast, the new custodian owner we are delighted to have found, spent a portion his formative years living less than 15 miles from Newport Pagnell and many of his Sundays, peering over the fences surrounding the factory, fantasising, and wondering, if one day he could have an Aston Martin of his own. His dream of owning one coming true some years later. Adding 001/D/P to his collection, has been a highlight in his collecting pursuit and we look forward to seeing, this provocative former prototype car, at various concours and car events, over the coming years

[@cathfinlayson3373]

That’s my Dad - How proud am I 🥰 xx

[@Stratoszero]

Would you be able to pass on a couple of questions I have about working in the experimental shop in the 60s?

[@preservedmoose]

It's a shame, he is trying to be upbeat and light but the interviewer is too serious.

[@jumpstart9473]

To see a historic treasure presented by its original handler is just wonderful .

[@thedrivechannel83]

What a delight! So great to see the old guard talking about the cars they built..

[@stevemundy3817]

Saw this car prior to its rebuilt very cool car and cool to hear from the one of the people involved with it thanks spm

[@michaelcampbell4503]

Great video Nick. I’d heard and read a little about this very special car in the past. To see and hear so much more about it from Bill was excellent. What a pity AML didn’t put the V8 into production DB5 and DB6…

[@anridapu]

Kudos and thanks to Nick and the production team, and of course, special guest Bill the development engineer, for this amazing story. Like many, I’d heard of this car ‘The mythical beast’ for years but had never seen it covered in media. I had a few other questions that weren’t really answered in the vid (but I understand the requirement for brevity.) -Was this car’s handling and balance improved over the standard production DB5? -Was the V8 the same basic configuration as the first production V8? (Capacity? Fuel injection or carbs?) Did the car run a 5 speed ZF gearbox? Thanks again for a great story!

[@paullubliner6221]

Thank you very much for your successful efforts to display the DeDion rear suspension as you have from beneath this fabulous car. I have read about but never seen a single image of this wonder. The added square tube transmission tunnel sub-frame for the differential's mounting to the chassis is clearly visible. Also is the retained, DeDion tube lateral locating Watt's Linkage... AND those inboard mounted discs further reducing unsprung weight! A DeDion rear suspension is truly significant in achieving improved road-holding/ride comfort etc. As a matter of fact, I sold my 1983 live axle long cockpit Caterham 7 and bought the then new DeDion version some 36 years ago for these very reasons. The T. Marek V8 must give this experimental car blistering performance. Are there any "numbers" available? I appreciate the extra wheelbase as in my view this restores the DB5 body work more towards it's original and correct Carrizoza Touring proportions, without the unsightly, overly long rear overhang as was with the standard cars from the Series V convertible DB4's onward. If there were any way on Earth I would be able to purchase this example, ....I would.

[@dazboot2966]

Fabulous - looks incredible

[@lestercombs1871]

Best looking car I’ve ever seen. That blue is incandescent.

[@peterzangerl7927]

One word: Phantastic.

[@paulking54]

Great to know the origins of the V8 . I knew that sound didn't come from a normal DB6. Do like the evolution to the DBS.

[@nigelwest3430]

I worked at Astons from 1989 to 99 I didn't know this beautiful car existed

[@sigmamale7241]

I envy you! What did you do there?

[@nigelwest3430]

@@sigmamale7241 I spent 10 years building the wiring harnesses, all built from scratch buy hand

[@sigmamale7241]

@@nigelwest3430 Sounds kind of...monotonous, especially after the first couple of years {doing the same thing, day in an out}. You got to be around some awesome cars!

[@nigelwest3430]

most factory work is doing the same thing day in day out, I found it quite therapeutic actually, at the end there were just 2 of us building V8 Coupe, LWB Volante and Vantage harnesses

[@sigmamale7241]

@@nigelwest3430 Curious, did you ever get to take any of those beauties out for a..."test drive" just to make sure that everything was tits? If so, that would be a major "benefit" itself!

[@jamespink4202]

Fabulous proportions... wonderful in every way!

[@richardcarter1000]

Wonderful. So glad it's gone to a good home.

[@kevinhabener1279]

I love these Aston Martin DBs. However, I thought 1965 was the last year of the DB5 and the first year of the DB6. Well, doesn't matter much. They were all plenty fast. I wonder if anyone even bought one with a 3 speed automatic as opposed to be far more ideal 5 speed manual. And the optional power steering and air-conditioning, were those optional on the DB5, or just the DB6? I'm not sure they were very popular options. All those creature comforts, the power steering & brakes and A/C were pretty standard on the 1967-72 Maserati Ghiblis which were heavier but had V8s with more horsepower and were speedier than these DBs. But I could choose either a DB5 or DB6 over that Maserati and have no regrets, even though it would be a pretty close decision.

[@garygranato9164]

woooowzers its magnificent

[@sigmamale7241]

{25:10-25:27} That is a stunning Lagonda! I absolutely LOVE it!

[@preservedmoose]

Yeah! That's what I though - totally amazingly rare car. Clearly an AM enthusiast.

[@johnnyboy1586]

My old p6 rover v8 had a Deon rear suspension

[@janvandekerk6877]

I suppose if one was a very rich upper class toffee nosed RAF fighter pilot in the 1960s then this is just the car that one would have driven to base in .

[@UberLummox]

Can me has it?

[@justinwaite26]

...but you were only supposed to blow the bleddy doors off

[@janvandekerk6877]

Why is it ? I tend to associate Astons with the RAF !

[@vladimirkrysenko]

V8 better, than i6