Bletchley Park officer’s Aston Martin DB5 goes under the hammer
A Bond-era classic with a wartime story at Sandown Park
A red Aston Martin DB5 with a remarkable history is heading to auction at Sandown Park in Esher, and it could sell for as much as £400,000. The car belonged to PH Manners Wood, a British intelligence officer who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, where he helped interpret decoded Enigma messages. He bought the DB5 in 1964, the same year James Bond first appeared on the big screen in Goldfinger, which made the model famous. Auctioneers H&H Classics say the car is one of just under 900 DB5s ever produced, and it has had only two owners since Manners Wood. The current owner has looked after it for 56 years, which is a long stretch of careful ownership by any measure. For those of us who grew up watching the Bond films on a wet Sunday afternoon, the car is a reminder that the glamour on screen often had real people behind it. Paul Cheetham of H&H Classics described the car as having links to a real British hero whose work made a genuine difference to the end of the war. Sandown Park is a familiar landmark for many of us in Surrey, so it is fitting that the car will be on public display there before the sale. The auction itself is expected to draw collectors from across the country, and perhaps a few curious locals too.
What it means for Surrey car lovers and local collectors
For drivers and enthusiasts across Surrey, this sale is a rare chance to see a piece of motoring and wartime history up close. The display at Sandown Park is due to open on 9 December, with the auction the following day. Anyone living in Guildford or Woking can reach Esher in around twenty minutes by car, and residents of Dorking, Horsley and East Horsley are within a short drive too. Classic car viewings are often quieter than major events, so it is worth going along if you are curious rather than a serious buyer. Local classic car clubs and restoration specialists are likely to take a keen interest in the car’s condition and provenance, and a sale at this level tends to spark conversations about what well-kept vintage vehicles are worth. It is also a useful reminder that original paperwork, service records and a clear ownership history can add real value to any classic, whether it is a sports saloon or a family heirloom. If you own a classic yourself, now is a good moment to gather those documents together.
Why local homeowners might find the story familiar
The attention this car is attracting says something about how much people value well-kept things that have a story behind them. Here in Surrey, many of us own period homes or older properties where the same principle applies. Homeowners who are considering a bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation often find that careful restoration brings out the character of a house in the same way that a patient owner preserves a classic car. Local bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists regularly see growing interest from families who want to update their spaces without losing the original charm. If you are planning work of this kind, it is sensible to get several written quotes, check that tradespeople are properly insured, and ask to see examples of similar projects they have completed nearby. Keep an eye on the H&H Classics website and BBC Surrey for updates on the final sale price, which will be the next thing to watch. Whether you are bidding on a DB5 or simply hoping to freshen up your kitchen, the lesson is the same: good craftsmanship lasts, and it is worth taking the time to find the right people for the job.
Source: Bletchley Park officer’s Aston Martin DB5 to be sold at auction
