ASTON MARTIN
Except otherwise stated, all results below include the premium.
See also : Cars Cars II British cars Cars 1951-1959 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1958-59 Cars 1960s Cars 1960-61 Cars 1962-64 Cars in movies
Chronology : 1956
See also : Cars Cars II British cars Cars 1951-1959 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1958-59 Cars 1960s Cars 1960-61 Cars 1962-64 Cars in movies
Chronology : 1956
1935 Ulster LM
2015 SOLD for £ 2.9M by Bonhams
Tempted by competition, Aston Martin releases in 1934 a new sports model based on its T-Type equipped with an 1.5 liters engine. The new two-seater car is spectacular with its elongated shape, its outer wheels and its length, 4.20 m.
Effective and robust, this model is named Ulster in reference to the very good participation of three cars of the brand at the Ulster Tourist Trophy in 1934. Within two years 31 Ulster cars are built by Aston Martin including 10 team cars entrusted to the official drivers of the factory.
In 1935 all efforts are focused on Le Mans where no less than seven Aston Martin are entered. One of them finished 10th in the race and 5th in her class, and no longer appeared in competition until the following year.
Also prepared for Le Mans in 1935, CML 721 is one of only four Ulster equipped in a specific LM (Le Mans) configuration which are considered as the culmination of the Aston Martin cars of the 1930s. Kept in matching numbers, it was sold for £ 2.9M by Bonhams on June 26, 2015, lot 323.
Having retained its original chassis and engine as well as its registration number from 1935, CML 719 was sold for € 2M by Bonhams on February 9, 2017. The Ulster that belonged to Prince Bira of Siam was sold for £ 1.58M by Gooding on September 5, 2020.
This experience for the prestige did not clear the financial problems of the brand which will refocus from the following year on the production of its road models.
Effective and robust, this model is named Ulster in reference to the very good participation of three cars of the brand at the Ulster Tourist Trophy in 1934. Within two years 31 Ulster cars are built by Aston Martin including 10 team cars entrusted to the official drivers of the factory.
In 1935 all efforts are focused on Le Mans where no less than seven Aston Martin are entered. One of them finished 10th in the race and 5th in her class, and no longer appeared in competition until the following year.
Also prepared for Le Mans in 1935, CML 721 is one of only four Ulster equipped in a specific LM (Le Mans) configuration which are considered as the culmination of the Aston Martin cars of the 1930s. Kept in matching numbers, it was sold for £ 2.9M by Bonhams on June 26, 2015, lot 323.
Having retained its original chassis and engine as well as its registration number from 1935, CML 719 was sold for € 2M by Bonhams on February 9, 2017. The Ulster that belonged to Prince Bira of Siam was sold for £ 1.58M by Gooding on September 5, 2020.
This experience for the prestige did not clear the financial problems of the brand which will refocus from the following year on the production of its road models.
1955 DB3S
2014 SOLD for $ 5.5M by Gooding
In 1947, the British automobile industry restructures. Aston Martin and Lagonda are bought by David Brown, a company created in 1860 specializing in tractors.
It is then directed by the founder's grandson, also named David Brown, who will leave his initials to the new series of Aston Martin cars, numbered from DB1 to DB6.
Introduced in 1953, the sports racing DB3S model is certainly the most spectacular. 31 cars were built: 11 were used directly to represent Aston Martin in competitions, and 20 were sold to private owners. The results were honorable though the main goal, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was missed. The DB3S is a superb model which closely resembles its Italian rivals.
DB3S/111, made in 1955 and titled 1956, is one of the most authentic from the series of 20 customer cars, still fitted with its original engine block. It has a great pedigree in show and competition. After being kept for four decades in a single collection, it was sold for $ 5.5M by Gooding in August 2014, lot 32.
The 1955 customer DB3S/102 was sold for £ 3M by Gooding on September 5, 2020. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Its first owner was an Australian racing team. It has an early competition history in Europe and set a new Australian land speed record in class in 1957 at 143 mph. It is accompanied by its original engine.
From the same series, DB3S/118 was sold for $ 3.7M by RM Auctions on August 18, 2012, lot 214.
It is then directed by the founder's grandson, also named David Brown, who will leave his initials to the new series of Aston Martin cars, numbered from DB1 to DB6.
Introduced in 1953, the sports racing DB3S model is certainly the most spectacular. 31 cars were built: 11 were used directly to represent Aston Martin in competitions, and 20 were sold to private owners. The results were honorable though the main goal, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was missed. The DB3S is a superb model which closely resembles its Italian rivals.
DB3S/111, made in 1955 and titled 1956, is one of the most authentic from the series of 20 customer cars, still fitted with its original engine block. It has a great pedigree in show and competition. After being kept for four decades in a single collection, it was sold for $ 5.5M by Gooding in August 2014, lot 32.
The 1955 customer DB3S/102 was sold for £ 3M by Gooding on September 5, 2020. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Its first owner was an Australian racing team. It has an early competition history in Europe and set a new Australian land speed record in class in 1957 at 143 mph. It is accompanied by its original engine.
From the same series, DB3S/118 was sold for $ 3.7M by RM Auctions on August 18, 2012, lot 214.
1956 DBR1
2017 SOLD for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's
When David Brown buys Aston Martin and Lagonda in 1947, his ambition is to lead Aston Martin to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans by relying on the innovative achievements of both brands. Twelve years of stubborn efforts will follow.
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 was sold for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 was sold for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
1959 DP199
2017 SOLD for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's
Everything goes very well for Aston Martin. Unveiled in September 1958 the new grand tourer DB4 will be a success. By winning for the first time at Le Mans in 1959 with the DBR1 the British brand also takes the FIA title of world sports-car champion.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 147.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It was sold for $ 6.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 147.
1960 DB4 GT Bertone
2013 SOLD for £ 3.25M by Bonhams
Italy dominates the market of Gran Turismo cars, and brands from the rest of Europe subcontract to the best Italian specialists. Aston Martin is one of the most ambitious.
The DB4 already has a strong Italian inspiration, but it is not enough to conquer the market. In 1960, the British brand is looking for new alliances, and has some DB4 GT coachworked by Zagato and Bertone.
The Zagato will have some success and 20 cars will be made. However the first DB4 GT Bertone coupe will not have a follow. It is believed that the failure of the Bertone project is not due to a competition from Ferrari but to the success of a new British chassis, the E-type by Jaguar.
The unique DB4 GT Bertone passed into private hands, but has been restored and maintained regularly by the workshops of Aston Martin. It was sold for £ 3.25M by Bonhams on May 18, 2013, lot 239. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This auction had been taking place in the Aston Martin facilities in Newport Pagnell and only offered cars made by Aston Martin and Lagonda.
The DB4 already has a strong Italian inspiration, but it is not enough to conquer the market. In 1960, the British brand is looking for new alliances, and has some DB4 GT coachworked by Zagato and Bertone.
The Zagato will have some success and 20 cars will be made. However the first DB4 GT Bertone coupe will not have a follow. It is believed that the failure of the Bertone project is not due to a competition from Ferrari but to the success of a new British chassis, the E-type by Jaguar.
The unique DB4 GT Bertone passed into private hands, but has been restored and maintained regularly by the workshops of Aston Martin. It was sold for £ 3.25M by Bonhams on May 18, 2013, lot 239. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This auction had been taking place in the Aston Martin facilities in Newport Pagnell and only offered cars made by Aston Martin and Lagonda.
DB4 GT Zagato
1
1961
2015 SOLD for $ 14.3M by RM Sotheby's
After the great successes of 1959 Aston Martin terminates its works teams in Grand Touring and then in Formula 1. The development efforts concerning the DB4GT include however competition versions. The domination of Ferrari calls for weight reduction for which Aston Martin cooperates with Carrozzeria Zagato. The DB4 GT Zagato coupe was unveiled at the 1960 London Motor Show.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10, 2015, RM Sotheby's sold for $ 14.3M the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, lot 215. Please watch the short video shared by the auction house.
This car had been completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10, 2015, RM Sotheby's sold for $ 14.3M the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, lot 215. Please watch the short video shared by the auction house.
This car had been completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
2
1961
2018 SOLD for £ 10M by Bonhams
John Ogier, owner of the Essex Racing Stable private team, desired to maintain a full British participation in international competitions. He bought two DB4GT Lightweight in 1960 and two DB4GT Zagato in 1961 and obtained for his team the support of the factory. At the same time the American sportsman Briggs Cunningham was trying a comparable approach to Jaguar.
In 1962 Aston Martin feels that it will not be enough for winning. Under the project reference MP209, Zagato goes even further in lightening including major changes in body shape.
One of the two 1961 Zagato of Team Essex is heavily damaged in May 1962 at Spa. Major repairs are needed and Aston Martin turns this car into the DP209 configuration. It is again crashed in August 1962 in Gooodwood, this time by the future world champion Jim Clark.
In the high end the victories generate sales. The Aston Martin berlinetta has a lot of issues in competition, including with handling and with tire wear. The collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato is ended after the 19th car while 25 had been originally planned. Only three cars had received the DP209 configuration. They can be considered as prototypes for the P214 chassis released by Aston Martin in 1963.
The ex-Ogier Zagato DP209 was restored to its 1962 configuration after a road accident in the 1990s. It was sold for £ 10M as lot 335 by Bonhams on July 13, 2018. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The rear view is shared by Hipwell on Wikimedia.
In 1962 Aston Martin feels that it will not be enough for winning. Under the project reference MP209, Zagato goes even further in lightening including major changes in body shape.
One of the two 1961 Zagato of Team Essex is heavily damaged in May 1962 at Spa. Major repairs are needed and Aston Martin turns this car into the DP209 configuration. It is again crashed in August 1962 in Gooodwood, this time by the future world champion Jim Clark.
In the high end the victories generate sales. The Aston Martin berlinetta has a lot of issues in competition, including with handling and with tire wear. The collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato is ended after the 19th car while 25 had been originally planned. Only three cars had received the DP209 configuration. They can be considered as prototypes for the P214 chassis released by Aston Martin in 1963.
The ex-Ogier Zagato DP209 was restored to its 1962 configuration after a road accident in the 1990s. It was sold for £ 10M as lot 335 by Bonhams on July 13, 2018. Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The rear view is shared by Hipwell on Wikimedia.
3
1962
2021 SOLD for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's
The penultimate DB4 GT Zagato had been ordered to Aston Martin by a demanding customer with some unique features such as a slightly heavier aluminum gauge for adding robustness, much chrome for protecting the brass components, and special anti-dust brake covers.
In May 1962, before its completion was declared by the factory, the car was entrusted to Roy Salvadori for testing it in a real competition, the BRSCC race at Brands Hatch.
Salvadori, who was a Formula One driver, had a long experience with Aston Martin in endurance racing, entering each year from 1953 to 1961 the 24 hours of Le Mans with a car of that brand. In association with Carroll Shelby, he had been the winner of the 1959 event in a DBR1. That feat accelerated the availability of the shorter wheelbase for both the DB4 GT and the Ferrari berlinetta.
The Brands Hatch test was highly satisfactory. The Zagato finished second overall behind a 250 GTO and first in class.
Fitted with its original engine and keeping most of the original bespoke goodies, it was sold for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 12, 2021, lot 120.
In May 1962, before its completion was declared by the factory, the car was entrusted to Roy Salvadori for testing it in a real competition, the BRSCC race at Brands Hatch.
Salvadori, who was a Formula One driver, had a long experience with Aston Martin in endurance racing, entering each year from 1953 to 1961 the 24 hours of Le Mans with a car of that brand. In association with Carroll Shelby, he had been the winner of the 1959 event in a DBR1. That feat accelerated the availability of the shorter wheelbase for both the DB4 GT and the Ferrari berlinetta.
The Brands Hatch test was highly satisfactory. The Zagato finished second overall behind a 250 GTO and first in class.
Fitted with its original engine and keeping most of the original bespoke goodies, it was sold for $ 9.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 12, 2021, lot 120.
1963 DP215
2018 SOLD for $ 21.5M by RM Sotheby's
Aston Martin was brilliant in competition in 1959 but failed in 1960. The owner, David Brown, does not take the risk of losing money. He terminates his competition team while maintaining his development abilities around manager John Wyer, chief engineer Ted Cutting and engine mechanic Tadek Marek.
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It was sold for $ 21.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 23, 2018, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It was sold for $ 21.5M by RM Sotheby's on August 23, 2018, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
1965 James Bond DB5
2019 SOLD for $ 6.4M by RM Sotheby's
The third James Bond film will be based on Goldfinger, a novel published by Ian Fleming in 1959. In the book, 007 was driving an Aston Martin DB3. A delegation from the production team decides that the most recent model, the DB5 coupe, will suit the new movie. With its bodywork designed by Touring, this English car has an Italian elegance.
In the previous film, From Russia with Love, the special effects were concentrated in a faked briefcase. The DB5 will accommodate gadgets, for example the emission of a smoke screen. Everyone adds his idea. The rotating license plate comes from a participant's desire of leaving a parking lot without paying. The master spy operates the gadgets from the dashboard or from the armrest.
The team in charge of the scenario retains thirteen gadgets for the car. The nail ejector is abandoned to avoid giving bad ideas to car users. Two DB5 are acquired. One of them incorporates all the gadgets. The other, intended for scenes of fast driving, will be equipped later.
Released in 1964, Goldfinger is an immediate success. Both cars are collectively referred to as The Most Famous Car in the World. The sales of the DB5 exceed all expectations and its model by Corgi Toys is a huge success. The first Bond car mysteriously disappeared in 1997. The other was sold for £ 2.9M by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
Thunderball, released in 1965, is featuring the same cars. To promote the film by touring the United States, the production team buys two additional cars. This time the gadgets are built by Aston Martin, the repetition of the demonstrations requiring a robustness that was not necessary for the shooting. They are identified as DB5 James Bond Works Replica in the Aston Martin archives.
One of them is in a Dutch museum. The other was sold for $ 2.1M by RM Auctions on January 20, 2006. After a meticulous restoration including the full operation of the thirteen gadgets, it was sold for $ 6.4M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by RM Sotheby's on August 15, 2019, lot 111. Please watch the video shared by the auction house, with a journalist named Florence in the role of 007.
In the previous film, From Russia with Love, the special effects were concentrated in a faked briefcase. The DB5 will accommodate gadgets, for example the emission of a smoke screen. Everyone adds his idea. The rotating license plate comes from a participant's desire of leaving a parking lot without paying. The master spy operates the gadgets from the dashboard or from the armrest.
The team in charge of the scenario retains thirteen gadgets for the car. The nail ejector is abandoned to avoid giving bad ideas to car users. Two DB5 are acquired. One of them incorporates all the gadgets. The other, intended for scenes of fast driving, will be equipped later.
Released in 1964, Goldfinger is an immediate success. Both cars are collectively referred to as The Most Famous Car in the World. The sales of the DB5 exceed all expectations and its model by Corgi Toys is a huge success. The first Bond car mysteriously disappeared in 1997. The other was sold for £ 2.9M by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
Thunderball, released in 1965, is featuring the same cars. To promote the film by touring the United States, the production team buys two additional cars. This time the gadgets are built by Aston Martin, the repetition of the demonstrations requiring a robustness that was not necessary for the shooting. They are identified as DB5 James Bond Works Replica in the Aston Martin archives.
One of them is in a Dutch museum. The other was sold for $ 2.1M by RM Auctions on January 20, 2006. After a meticulous restoration including the full operation of the thirteen gadgets, it was sold for $ 6.4M from a lower estimate of $ 4M by RM Sotheby's on August 15, 2019, lot 111. Please watch the video shared by the auction house, with a journalist named Florence in the role of 007.
