James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin
This Aston Martin DB5 was driven by Sean Connery in the James Bond movies "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball."
The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 has a top speed of 233 km/h
This DB5 model was one of only two cars used in the classic movies "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball." The other was stolen in 1997 and is believed to have been destroyed.
Mr. Jerry Lee purchased the car in 1969. He paid the Aston Martin factory $12,000 for it, and has been the sole owner for more than 40 years.
For a few years, Mr. Lee agreed to allow Aston Martin to continue to use the car for promotional purposes in the U.S.
This 1964 Aston Martin enjoyed record-breaking crowds at exhibitions on numerous occasions throughout the seventies, until it was pulled from public life in 1977.
Although the car is 46 years old, it has only 31,000 miles on its odometer.
The original dark grey interior remains in good condition, displaying a remarkably authentic and appealing original patina to match the mileage.
James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5: This car was recently restored by RM Auto Restorations, and is now in running condition after long-term storage.
The car needed a new clutch, head-off engine service and its braking and exhaust systems are new.
The RM technicians also checked and cleaned the DB5’s famous armaments and defensive systems, which are well known to Bond aficionados. Among them: a pair of machine guns that pop out from behind the turn signals, and an ejection seat that could launch villains through the roof (the actuator switch is hidden in the shift lever.)
The car was also equipped with nail and oil dispensers that were used to confound pursuing vehicles. (The oil dispenser had created a bit of a mess in the trunk)
For "Thunderball," the car was to have most of the screen time, so it was fitted with the full complement of gadgets which it carries to this day.
As the 'Road Car' used in "Goldfinger," the Aston Martin was featured in various locations and intended for the fast driving sequences, it was given substantial screen time, most notably the scenes at the Stoke Park Club and, even more recognizably, when Bond is spying on Mr. Goldfinger from the picturesque Furka Pass in Switzerland.
James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 and its gadgets were the brainchild of Oscar-award-winning special effects expert John Stears, also of "Star Wars" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" fame.
Proceeds of the sale will be used to further the charitable work of ‘The Jerry Lee Foundation’, a multi-national initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, with an emphasis on crime prevention.
1964 Aston Martin DB5 specs: Engine: 3,995 cc/ Power: 282 bhp (210 kW) at 5500 rpm/ Torque: 288 lb·ft (390 N·m) at 3850 rpm/ Top Speed: 145 mph (233 km/h)/ 0–60 mph (97 km/h) Acceleration: 7.1 seconds (all figures quoted are for a ‘standard’ car without gadgets)