A classic car owner has successfully restored an Aston Martin DB5 to its original condition, with an estimated value of £1million, despite being purchased for just £1,000.
John Williams purchased the Aston Martin DB5 in 1972, when he was just 18, for just £900, or £15,000 in today's money, after travelling from his home in North Wales to London.
He used the DB5 as his daily driver for four years, but was forced to consign the sports car to his driveway after getting a job in the Middle East in 1977.
The Welshman admitted that he had ample opportunity to sell the vehicle over the years, but always resisted, with his wife, Sue, saying that he would "never get another one".
Sue Williams said: "The neighbours' kids used to come round to play, and they'd play on her. Bouncing on the bonnet. One balanced on the exhaust pipe and snapped it off!"
Mr Williams admitted that it had always been a goal of his to get the vehicle restored, adding that he was "a bit ashamed that I'd let her get into that state".
He decided to have the DB5 restored at Aston Martin Works in the iconic Newport Pagnell facility three years ago.
The facility is the heritage home of the brand and has seen the production of more than 13,000 Aston Martin sports cars over the last 50 years.
The Aston Martin DB5 was restored to its original, pristine condition
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The right-hand drive DB5 saloon came equipped with a Vantage engine and the "most desirable exterior colour" of Silver Birch.
Only 1,022 DB5 models were built by Aston Martin between 1963 and 1965. Of these, only 887 were built as a saloon, while just 39 came with the Silver Birch paintwork, Vantage engine and right-hand drive.
A year into the restoration, Mr Williams visited the Buckinghamshire facility with his wife to see the progress that had been made to his beloved DB5.
He added: "It looks like an Aston Martin now. I'm thrilled. It's great to see all the old ways of building a car have been passed on, and younger people here are keeping up the tradition."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The Aston Martin DB5 had remained dormant on John Williams' driveway for many years
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The DB5 was restored at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell facility
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Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works, described the DB5 as "profoundly run-down" when it was entered into the workshop, adding that the restoration team "always relishes a challenge".
From start to finish, the restoration involved more than 2,500 hours of dedicated work across the Panel, Paint, Trim and Heritage Workshops, and support from the in-house Parts Department.
Mr Spires said: "While it might be uncouth to speculate on values for the car, I think it's reasonable to suppose that if it ever were to be offered to the market once more, and bearing in mind its specification and provenance, a value of up to £1million would be in order.
"In this 70th anniversary year of Aston Martin's presence here at Newport Pagnell, it is inspiring to see the dedication, commitment and pride of owners such as the Williams family."
The restoration process took just under three years
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John and Sue Williams said the restored Aston Martin DB5 was 'phenomenal'
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After seeing the fully restored DB5, Mr Williams said the restoration was "worth every penny", calling the new look "just amazing".
He added: "It's probably almost 50 years since I have driven this car, but the experience is phenomenal.
"It's just... unbelievable. My girl's back and up and running! Back to her former glory."