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13 June 2019 |
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Restored 1965 Aston
Martin DB5 up for auction in California - “The Most Famous Car in the
World”
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No one could have
predicted back in 1965 the fabulously successful multi-decade synergy that
would develop when two men from the movie business visited Aston Martin’s
Newport-Pagnell plant in late 1963. Ken Adam and John Stears, respectively
a production designer and a special effects man, were on a mission from
producers Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman. They were to
source a pair of the latest Aston Martins for use in EON Productions’
third adaptation of an Ian Fleming novel, again about the virile MI6
superspy with a license to kill, James Bond. It was called Goldfinger.
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Chassis No. DB5/2008/R Engine No.
400/1995 |
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Extremely rare and pristine example of
“The Most Famous Car in the World” |
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One of
two examples directly purchased by
EON Productions for the launch of Thunderball |
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The
third of four examples built per Q Branch specifications as
featured in Goldfinger |
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Benefits from just three private caretakers, including noted
collector Lord Bamford |
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Restoration completed in 2012, including refurbishment of all 13
original special-effects modifications |
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Fabulous example of the special-effects wizardry of two-time
Oscar winner John Stears, as designed by Ken Adam |
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Documented with factory build sheet, prior British registration,
and restoration photos and invoices |
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Subject of numerous magazine articles and books |
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The
most iconic and recognizable Aston Martin ever built |
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Aston
Martin Assured Provenance on file |
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In typical moviemaking
fashion, the producers wanted two near-identical cars to fulfill various
roles during filming. One would be required for stunt driving and chase
sequences, and therefore needed to be lightweight and fast. The other, to
be used for interior shots and close-ups, was to undergo several
functional modifications created by Stears, the kind that would furnish
James Bond with an unprecedented amount of gadgetry.
Despite the filmmakers’ expectation that Aston Martin would happily give
them two cars for promotional benefits, marque president David Brown
insisted that the production company buy the cars outright. Eventually a
compromise was reached in which two cars were loaned to EON Productions
for the duration of filming, after which they would be returned to Aston
Martin.
Though John Stears’ revolutionary Oscar-winning work on the original
Star Wars movie of 1977 was yet more than a decade away, his ingenuity
was already evident in the modifications that he made for the
special-effects Aston Martin. The first James Bond car was also the DB5
prototype and bore a special chassis number prefix denoting it as a
development project, DP/216/1. As Desmond Llewelyn’s legendary
weapons-master Q would go on to explain to Sean Connery’s 007, the Snow
Shadow Gray–painted DB5 was equipped with front and rear hydraulic
over-rider rams on the bumpers, a Browning .30-caliber machine gun in each
fender, wheel-hub-mounted tire slashers, a retractable rear bulletproof
screen, an in-dash radar-tracking scope, oil-slick, caltrop, and
smoke-screen dispensers, revolving license plates, and a passenger-seat
ejection system. Also equipped, although never used during the film, was a
telephone in the driver’s door to communicate with MI6 headquarters, as
well as a hidden compartment under the driver’s seat containing several
weapons. |
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The smash success of
Goldfinger was also a success for Aston Martin, which received free
promotion around the world and saw DB5 sales surge to fuel an
unprecedented level of production. The producers at EON took notice of the
enormous appeal and potential marketing opportunities. In preparation for
Thunderball’s release, the company ordered two more DB5 saloons,
receiving chassis nos. DB5/2008/R (the featured example) and DB5/2017/R.
The two cars were shipped to the United States for media duties for
Thunderball. One was dispatched to the East Coast, and the other to
the West. The latter DB5 even appeared at Laguna Seca as a pace car driven
by Jackie Stewart.
Both cars were fitted with all of Adam’s Goldfinger modifications,
but this time the gadgets were installed by Aston Martin and intended to
be more durable than those on DP/216, whose gadgetry was comparatively
very primitive, as they were never designed to function for more than one
take thanks to careful editing! This car’s gadgets, on the other hand,
were designed and built to function repeatedly on command, as they do
today. |
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After completion of
Thunderball, the two cars were largely mothballed as yet two more Bond
films followed with different automobiles in the hero roles. Accordingly,
the production company’s parent financier, the Swiss-based DANJAQ S.A.,
quietly offered the two cars for sale in 1969, and they were soon bought
as a pair by the well-known British collector Anthony (now Lord) Bamford.
He quickly sold 2017/R but retained possession of 2008/R until 1970, and
the British registration for the car in his name remains on file. The
Aston Martin build record lists EON Productions as the original purchaser
along with the important designation of this being a “Bond Car.” Under
Bamford’s ownership the saloon returned to the factory for service, and it
received a host of freshening and mechanical measures, all of which are
documented on the build record.
Bamford then sold DB5/2008/R to B.H. Atchley, the owner of the Smokey
Mountain Car Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The unique Aston Martin
was soon featured as the museum’s centerpiece in a rather unusual display,
as the car was encased in a large wire-mesh cage that was bolted to the
floor, ensuring it would never be idly touched or pawed by starstruck
visitors. The DB5 remained in this pristine state of display for 35 years,
receiving regular start-ups for exercise during this time. |
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In 2006, RM Auctions was
privileged to offer this Bond DB5 for public sale. While some of the Bond
contraptions were restored into functioning order prior to the 2006
offering, a majority of the car remained otherwise unrestored. Since that
time a no-expense-spared restoration by the esteemed Roos Engineering in
Switzerland was completed, as documented by numerous invoices and
photographs. Roos Engineering is also one of 13 facilities whom Aston
Martin have appointed as official Heritage Specialists who have the
highest order of depth, expertise, and experience with the marque. Not
only were the chassis and body completely refinished to proper standards,
but all 13 of the Ken Adam–designed modifications were properly
refurbished to function as originally built. Following completion of the
four-year restoration, the Aston Martin was the subject of a feature
article on the Bond DB5 cars that was printed in the October 2012 issue of
Motor.
Being the third of just four Goldfinger-specification DB5 examples
built, this Aston Martin is automatically endowed with a high degree of
rarity. It should be noted that the first John Stears–modified car has
been lost since 1997, narrowing the number of surviving examples to just
three cars. Of these survivors, one car (chassis no. 1486/R) was
originally unmodified, as it was used for driving sequences and only had
gadgets added later. Most important, this car was built with all gadgetry
from new, elevating its status and importance. In addition to this
distinction, DB5/2008/R has benefited from an extremely minimal chain of
ownership: just three private owners over 50 years, including a 35-year
period of museum exhibition. |
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Reached through his
son, Stephane Connery, ahead of the sale, Sean Connery said, “These
DB5s are amazing. I remember the Furka Pass tire shredding, as well as
the promotional events with these cars—they have become increasingly
iconic since Goldfinger and Thunderball. In fact, I
bought a very fine DB5 myself relatively recently.”
Built for EON Productions, fitted with gadgetry from new, documented
with “Bond Car” designation on the Aston Martin build record, Anthony
Bamford’s 1969 registration, and restoration invoices and photos, this
James Bond Aston Martin is a fabulously rare example of what author
Dave Worrall termed “The Most Famous Car in the World,” as he titled
his 1993 book on the subject.
Noted historian
Stephen Archer, who rode in one of the cars in 1965, commented: “The
DB5 is a special Aston, but this one has an aura all of its own. Just
to be in its presence is exciting. The standard of Roos’ restoration
is extremely impressive, and the Swiss Furka Pass awaits…” |
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Quite simply the most
iconic car of all time, DB5/2008/R is the most legendary Aston Martin ever
built, as one of the cornerstones of a marketing relationship that exists
to this day. It would crown any important collection and offers a highly
desirable acquisition for the serious marque collector… or secret agent. |
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17 August 2019 |
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UPDATE: Sold for
£5.26-million ($6,385,000)
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PHOTOGRAPHS/ALAN
STEPHENSON |