Aston Martin and EON Productions have teamed up to bring back the iconic Aston Martin DB5 that appeared in the James Bond film, Goldfinger. The carmaker is producing just 25 DB5 continuation editions that will be based on Bond’s famous 1964 car.
The vehicles will be authentic reproductions with “sympathetic modifications,” according to a press release. The DB5 will feature a straight-six, 282 horsepower, 3,995cc motor with a top speed of 145 mph. It will also include several gadgets, such as revolving number plates, and will be Silver Birch in colour, just like the one in Goldfinger. Oscar-winning James Bond effects supervisor Chris Corbould was involved in the design process.
The one caveat? The vehicle is not road legal. Even if you afford to buy it, you can’t take it out for a spin to your local grocery store without risking a ticket or injury (it’s unclear if seat belts or airbags will be included).
Sean Connery drove the DB5 in the third 007 film. It was subsequently featured in six additional Bond films: 1965’s Thunderball, 1995’s GoldenEye, 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, 2006’s Casino Royale, 2012’s Skyfall and 2015’s Spectre.
The DB5 was so popular following its movie debut that 2.5 million Corgi die-cast models were sold in 1965, spawning a love affair with Aston Martin. Unfortunately, only 25 fans will be able to scoop up one of the continuation editions.
“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,” commented Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin. “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 DB5 continuation cars will cost £2.75m (US$3.5m) plus taxes with deliveries expected in 2020.
Legend has it that Aston Martin wasn’t exactly thrilled to have its DB5 featured in Goldfinger. Producers had to convince the carmaker to lend them a prototype for the film. When the movie hit theatres, it was a huge hit, and Aston Martin quickly realized the benefits of product placement. Of course, the film’s model featured some cool gadgets such as machine guns, tire shredders, and an ejection seat, which consumer models lacked.
