The rear light clusters were slightly changed from the Series 4 and feature individual indicator, stop/tail lamp and reversing lamp. The rear reflector was therefore re-located to the bumper. Also the boot handle/number plate light was changed to a larger Hella type also used on the Karmann Ghia. Another change can be seen with the front indicators which are noticably a little larger than previously – go back to the DB4 series 4 page if you wish to see the changes.
The car illustrated above is quite a special example of the Series 5 Saloon as it was fitted from new with the optional Special Series or ‘/SS’ engine, normally fitted as standard to the DB4 Vantage. As many of the Series 5 cars built have both the /SS special series engine and the faired-in headlights are thus are correctly referred to as DB4 Vantage. Strictly speaking, DB4 saloons with the Special Series engine but retaining the upright headlamps are not called DB4 Vantage even though they have the engine from the Vantage.
In total, a mere 55 Aston Martin DB4 series 5 saloons were built during a 10 month period between September 1962 and June 1963. It was replaced in the range by the popular DB5.