An iconic Aston Martin that hadn’t moved from its Sidmouth garage in 30 years is the torque of the town and could sell for 10 times what the owner originally paid.

When David Ettridge’s family came to sell off his estate after his death in late 2011 they stumbled across the classic DB5 sports saloon – the same model as James Bond’s first car.

It is now set to fetch as much as £200,000 at auction.

The immobile motor needed some oil and a bit of TLC but came to life before the eyes of Mr Ettridge’s two daughters.

First they had to evict a mouse from the engine that had nested in a pile of newspapers.

The DB5 had been sealed away in the garage of the house Mr Ettridge built in Elm Way, Sidford, with just 48,000 miles on the clock.

It was among a small collection that also included an Aston Westminster and a Triumph TR2.

Dr Edmund Morris said he had lived next to Mr Ettridge for 30 years and occasionally saw him drive “a beautiful white Aston that purred” – but he normally opted for a little Citroën run-about.

The car collector paid just £1,500 for the vehicle in 1972 – around £14,000 in today’s money – but it is expected to fetch between £150,000 and £200,000 when it goes to auction in May.

Auctioneers Bonhams say the DB5 – one of only 1,023 ever made – will make a rewarding restoration project for an enthusiast.

Similar models have been selling for upwards of £320,000 once they have been refurbished.

James Knight, of Bonhams, said: “There can be no greater satisfaction for the true enthusiast than restoring a once-great motor car to its former glory.

“We hope the new owner of this time-warp will preserve as much of its original integrity as possible.”

He added that they had had numerous ‘barn find’ Aston Martins in the past, but this was the best-preserved he had seen in a long time.

Marc Aylott, general manager of the Aston Martin Owners Club, of which Mr Ettridge was a member, said: “It’s the iconic Aston Martin– who wouldn’t want to own one?”

“I’d certainly like to find one in my garage.”

The car will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ 14th annual classic car auction at the Aston Martin factory in Buckinghamshire on May 18.