Aston Martin's post-war evolution took a giant step forward with the launch of the DB4 in 1958. Classically proportioned, the Touring-designed body established an instantly recognisable look that would stand the marque in good stead until 1970. The engine was still an all-alloy twin-overhead-camshaft six, but the old W O Bentley-designed 3-litre unit had been superseded by a new design by Tadek Marek. Proven in racing before it entered production in the DB4, the new 3,670cc engine featured square bore and stroke dimensions of 92x92mm and developed its maximum power of 240bhp at 5,500rpm. The David Brown gearbox was a new four-speed all-synchromesh unit.

Touring's Superleggera body construction, which employed a lightweight tubular structure to support the aluminium-alloy body panels, was deemed incompatible with the DB2/4-type multi-tubular spaceframe, so engineer Harold Beach drew up an immensely strong platform-type chassis. Independent front suspension was retained, the DB2/4s trailing links giving way to unequal-length wishbones, while at the rear the DB4 sported a live axle located by a Watts linkage instead of its predecessors Panhard rod. Five series were built as the model gradually metamorphosed into the DB5 of 1963. The latter's distinctive cowled headlamps had first appeared on the DB4GT, and the newcomer was the same size as the lengthened Series V DB4. The DB5's 3,995cc engine, first seen in the Lagonda Rapide, produced 282bhp and was mated to a four-speed overdrive-equipped gearbox, a proper ZF five-speed unit being standardised later. The Aston Martin DB5 was capable of an impressive 141mph. Other improvements over the DB4 included alternator electrics, Girling disc brakes instead of Dunlops, Sundym glass, electric windows and an oil pressure gauge as standard equipment.

A very unusual and now extremely sought after addition to the Aston Martin DB5 line-up was the 'Shooting Brake' variant, essentially an estate/station wagon version of the DB5. Although not actually available to buy through Aston Martin dealers as the shooting brake was built, and put on sale by, coach-building firm Harold Radford, the shooting brake is considered extremely desirable, despite dubious handling characteristics.

Other variants to the DB5, although this time built by Aston Martin, include the Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Coupe and Aston Martin DB5 convertible. The Vantage model was the range-topper and featured Weber Carburettors and produced 314hp. The DB5 convertible was only sold in small numbers and unusually didn't carry the 'Volante' name, as is usually the case with Aston convertibles.

Probably most famous for being the original and most recognised James Bond car, the DB4 has featured in Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and the most recent Bond film Casino Royale. In all, 1,021 DB5s were manufactured between July 1963 and September 1965, a total that included 123 convertibles and 12 shooting brakes.