James Bond’s gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most famous movie cars of all time, to the point the British automaker is synonymous with the movie franchise. And now an original example that was used during filming is heading to auction looking for a new owner. Sadly, this particular DB5 isn’t the one Sean Connery drove in Goldfinger. Instead, it’s the 1965 model Pierce Brosnan drove in the 1995 flick Goldeneye. After featuring in the movie, the car was used to promote the film and the Aston Martin DB7.
A few years later, it was sold at auction in 2001 and bought by entrepreneur Max Reid for ￡149,828 ($200,000). That may sound like a paltry amount for a classic Aston Martin, but at the time it “became the most valuable piece of Bond memorabilia ever sold” according to Bonhams. Clearly, the car’s value has significantly increased since then, because the auction house now estimates the car will sell for ￡1.2 – ￡1.6 ($1.6 -$2.1) million. “The DB5 is one of the most recognizable and desirable British classic cars in the world - it is also the ultimate Bond car,” said Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams Motor Cars Department Director.
“Every fan remembers Pierce Brosnan tearing through the hills in this car, and it must be up there as one of the most thrilling Bond car chases in history. This Aston Martin is something very special indeed.” The vintage film-famous Aston Martin DB5 will be going under the hammer at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on July 13. If you need a recap, the DB5 was driven in the thrilling opening chase scene of Goldeneye against a Ferrari F355 GTS through the hills above Monaco.
