Aston Martin DB5 - V8 !!!!!! Hot Rod

A lost LEGEND – a SURVIVOR that escaped being crushed by Aston Martin out of pure love for this truly special, one-of-a-kind automobile: a V8 powered Aston Martin DB5. Yes V8 not a tiddly 6-cylinder.. Imagine what 007 could have done with this baby!!

Like most James Bond fans I LOVE the DB5 – ever since it scythed across the screen in Goldfinger it became a thing of wonder. Synonymous with 007 getting out of trouble by any means possible. I never imagined that one day I would get to skid one around in a Bond movie, let alone three Bond movies: Skyfall, Spectre and then to Italy with No Time To Die.

In 2021, the DB5 got quite the upgrade for No Time To Die with some creative Q-branch re-imagining to give it more power and less weight. The result was remarkable – an agile machine that could dance with just a tickle of throttle.

It turns out that back in 1964 somebody very clever at Aston Martin had the same idea: Tadek Marek. Tadek was like James Bond and Q rolled into one man. A gifted engineer who escaped the clutches of the Nazis during World War 2 and made it to England where he repurposed Merlin engines from crashed Spitfire fighters into Cromwell tanks. You can bet they were bloody fast tanks.

Tadek enhanced W.O. Bentley’s 6 cylinder engine for the DB5 but he was also working on a special V8 engine.. Tadek reconfigured one, ONLY ONE, DB5 to accommodate that V8 engine. And after he departed Aston Martin – that car was lost.. Until now.

A few years ago when I was writing my book about Aston Martin (available in all good stores) I heard a rumour that turned out to be a fact. After a few phone calls with some very fine people – I got to drive it. Goosebumps.

Thanks to Nicholas Mee for helping organise this shoot and to Bryan Webb the fortunate owner for his generosity.

Thank you MAGAZYN CLASSICAUTO in Polska for filming this bad boy

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#AstonMartin #DB5 #BenCollins #TheStig

[dbrown]

The V8 should be the soundtrack, no music needed.

[RebelsInc]

I do hate it when they put music over the sound of a V8, Please Ben forget the music ✌

[jamesfairmind]

Congratulations Ben, this is such a great video, not only about a car nobody even realised existed, but the amazing back story of Tadek Marek, who it seems was a real life Bond hero! What a fitting tribute to both the car and him.

[lestercombs]

I’m astounded. This is THE most beautiful DB5 I’ve ever seen. That blue paint is gorgeous.

[nathanb]

Just when you thought the DB5 couldn't get any cooler 😃🤩

[keyboarddancers]

Can you imagine an engine designer of today having such an enthralling back story?
No, neither can I!

What a truly stunning car!

[Nils_Martin]

What a hero story and template for Aston Martin’s victory and adventure. One of the reasons why i love Aston Martin, a proper gentleman car.

[DoubleDeckerAnton]

What a beautiful machine.
There should be a movie based on Tadek Marek and his life.
I'd definitely pay to watch that.

[papalaz]

This is the only DB5 that matches everyone's imagination of a DB 5 :)
If they made these today I reckon people would buy them. no hesitation

[Hostilenemy]

Some say, he once attached a V8 to a pepper grinder, and that as a teenager, his favorite hobby was counting sheep.

[LightBranches]

Hoping for a “car sounds only” version of this video. Nothing against Ben’s narration...it’s the Bames Jond soundtrack that needs to go.

[microsignzero]

Someone needs to make a movie about this Tadek Marek fella. Thanks Ben for sharing the story!

[iansheppard]

The Marek engine first went into the DB4 as a 3.7 litre in 1958. I had a 1962 DB4 Vantage.

[titiwin]

Tadek Marek life is worth of an action movie ... holy moly!

[nigeldewallens]

My word what a stunning car you had the chance to drive and then, talking about that amazing man! His history, deserves a film on its own! That was a delight to see thank you!

[allennewborn]

That is the most beautiful Aston Martin I've ever seen.

[paulelverstone]

Up until now I'd always considered my 'unicorn car' to be Jaguar's XJ13 - I may have to re-think that now.
Subscribed...

[maxcarter]

Lovely. Would be nice to hear more of the V8 though.

[ExhumedPutrifact]

What an inspirational story - I think that might be the finest car on the road

[ginogina]

When I was a student at Lancaster Uni in Lancs 1969-70, my friend had a mate with a DB5. The most gorgeous car ever.