Aston Martin DB5 Vantage

La Rochefoucauld once said, '..some beautiful things are more impressive when left imperfect than when too highly finished.' I think when you are talking about Cindy Crawford in relation to that famous mole or the red-topped balconies at stages of the Chrysler Building, then yes, slight variance to the norm, or symmetrical imbalance can actually enhance how you aesthetically appreciate an entity. But, in the world of cars, the DB5 is perfection. There is no imperfect angle. It's the most glorious car.

Oft-mentioned as the 'most famous car in the world', due to the relentless correlations with it being James Bond's steed in Goldfinger and Thunderball, the DB5 certainly has outstanding provenance. For it's day it was scorchingly quick, luxurious and suited for all seasons. With a media image second to none, the DB5 was handsome and pretty. A very rare combination.

There were just 65 versions made in Vantage-spec. What in effect this entailed were three sidedraft Weber carburetors and a new performance cam. Thick shagpile carpets, electric windows and a change from dynamo to alternator were the key upgrades over the earlier DB4, and remained in the more powerful version of the DB5. With 325bhp now available in Tadek Marek's straight-six, acceleration was more than impressive, with 0-60mph coming in 7.1 seconds. Probably as recession-proof as a car can be in these times, a May auction held by Bonhams saw a standard DB5 sell for £249,000, nearly £100,000 over the estimated opening bidding.

Still, more than 45 years after the first DB5 was launched, it remains Aston Martin's most important and recognised car. It's performance, it's interior appointments, all the factual aspects have been well surpassed. These matters are always ephemeral. But Touring's landmark design and the DB5's incontestable beauty remain timeless.