Houston stand by. George Harrison’s celebrated 1965 Aston Martin DB5 will make its U.S. debut in the Lone Star State in May. The anonymous Texas collector, who made global news in December when he won the international bidding war for the legendary Beatle’s sports car at a London auction, has confirmed that it will be on display at the inaugural Concours d’Elegance of Texas, helping to raise some serious money for charity. “If you have ever wanted to have your photograph taken in a sports car that once belonged to a member of the world’s most famous rock band, this is your chance,” said Lolly Bezy, Executive Director. “We are delighted to be in a position to offer spectators such a great opportunity and look forward to a sensational event this spring.”
The iconic Aston Martin DB5 was best known for its role in James Bond movies like Goldfinger and Thunderball, and the DB5 may be about to make a comeback in the latest 007 blockbuster with Daniel Craig. Manufactured in 1964, this Aston Martin DB5 was delivered new to George Harrison at his Surrey estate in England on January 1, 1965. Supplied in platinum silver with black Connolly leather, it was packed with all conceivable top of the range options and it remains in largely original condition today. The car later spent a decade in a Japanese museum and another twelve years in Germany, until it was purchased in 2007 by James William “Jimi” Heselden, the late owner of Segway Inc. and a British inventor and defense contractor, credited for saving countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan with his invention of the Hesco Bastion wire framed container.
Back in December 2011, the buyer caused a media uproar when he “caught some people napping,” and made off with this “British National Treasure.” Characterized by the press as everything from a crazed Beatles fan to an opportunistic preacher who stole money from his congregation to buy an old car, he is in fact a lifelong car guy and philanthropist who is quietly building a small collection of some of the finest sports cars in the world, and using those cars to raise money for non-profit organizations and Christian causes. Spectators at the Concours d’Elegance of Texas will get the opportunity to enjoy the car and also to sit and be photographed in George Harrison’s famous Aston Martin in return for donations to his chosen charity, Faith Comes By Hearing. The organization produces the Military BibleStick, a miniature device that allows soldiers to listen to the Bible in the battlefield without compromising their position. Requests for these devices from every branch of the military are inundating the charity and there are still many thousands of U.S. troops in the field who are yet to be supplied.
The Concours d’Elegance of Texas is set to be one of the biggest vintage motoring and luxury lifestyle events in the state, a world-class gathering of collector cars and vintage motorcycles in a world-class setting. Scheduled to run from May 4th-6th, 2012, the event takes place just north of downtown Houston at the award winning La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa in Montgomery, Texas. Concours proceeds will benefit local and national charities, including the Texas Children’s Hospital and the Collector’s Foundation, an organization that supports young people and invests in the future of the collector car hobby. Admission to the Concours is $25 on Sunday 6th, discounted to $20 if purchased in advance, with children under 12 admitted free of charge.
The Concours d’Elegance of Texas will be presented alongside Worldwide Auctioneers’ long standing catalogue event, The Houston Classic Auction, scheduled for Saturday, May 5th at 11am. Full details on the weekend’s events are available online at www.concoursoftexas.org. Executive Director Lolly Bezy can be contacted at 1.855.262.9900, or by email at [email protected] . La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa is a four-star, all-suite facility situated just 50 miles north of downtown Houston. Visit www.latorrettalakeresort.com for information on accommodation and resort amenities. Visitors are urged to book their rooms early for the weekend, as the resort is expected to sell out. Contact La Torretta at 1.936.448.4400 and use special rate booking code WORLDAUC2012. Sponsorship opportunities and program advertising can be discussed with Lolly Bezy at 1.855.262.9900. Media inquiries should be directed to Jo Snyder at 1. 512.507.7867.
Read more of the story of how George Harrison’s Aston Martin DB5 made its way to Texas, and enjoy its official entry onto U.S. soil courtesy of Greg Riley at Garage Deluxe on www.concoursoftexas.org.
With thanks to John Jackson of NotStockPhotography for original images.