In 1964, one of the most instantly recognisable cars of all-time, the Aston Martin DB5 made its acting debut in Goldfinger, alongside Sean Connery as James Bond. It has gone on to feature in a further six James Bond movies: Thunderball (1965), again with Connery; GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) with Pierce Brosnan and three appearances alongside Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). James Bond and his DB5 have become two icons of popular culture and one of the most successful and enduring movie partnerships of all-time. Such was its popularity that a Corgi die-cast model of the car released in 1965 sold an astonishing 2.5 million in its first year of production.
Now, a fortunate 25 fans of James Bond and the DB5 can own a faithful and authentic tribute to that original car. Following the successful DB4 G.T. continuation project, a series of 25 Goldfinger DB5 continuation editions will be created for customers by Aston Martin Works and EON Productions. The latter is the UK based production company that makes the James Bond films and together with Danjaq controls all worldwide merchandising. The 007 franchise has produced twenty-four films since 1962.
The DB5 reproduction will be based on the car from 1964 and built by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell, the original home of the DB5. All of the 25 units will be produced to one specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original. However, there will be some sympathetic modifications to ensure better levels of build quality and reliability.
“The connection between Aston Martin and James Bond originated more than half a century ago. Creating 25 Goldfinger DB5 continuations and working with EON Productions and special effects supervisor, Chris Corbould, is something truly unique and a real career highlight for everyone involved here at Aston Martin Works.” – Paul Spires, Managing Director at Aston Martin Works.
The DB5 in Goldfinger was laden with gadgets and armaments installed by Q Branch and contributed significantly to the secret agent’s Aston Martin becoming an instant hit with moviegoers. It is only fitting that the reproduction will extend to include functioning gadgets such as revolving number plates and more, which were made famous in Goldfinger. The gadgets will be co-developed with Oscar-winner Chris Corbould, special effects supervisor on eight previous James Bond films, and who has worked with the SFX department on a total of fourteen 007 adventures.
Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin, said: “The connection between Aston Martin and James Bond is something of which we are very proud, and it is remarkable that the DB5 remains the definitive James Bond car after so many years. To own an Aston Martin has long been an aspiration for James Bond fans, but to own a Silver Birch DB5, complete with gadgets and built to the highest standards in the very same factory as the original James Bond cars? Well, that is surely the ultimate collectors’ fantasy. The skilled craftspeople at Aston Martin Works and the expert special effects team from the James Bond films are about to make this fantasy real for 25 very lucky customers.”
Each Goldfinger DB5 continuation car will be priced at £2.75 million plus taxes. First deliveries to customers are scheduled for Q4 2019.
