Are you a Bentley-owning secret agent looking for his next set of wheels? Or perhaps you fancy intimidating school-run parents with a pair of machine guns and hydraulically extending bumpers. If so this Aston Martin DB5 could be the car for you.
It is no ordinary DB5 but FMP 7B (the car's original registration number), one of two cars built for the film Goldfinger, the sole remaining original 'James Bond' Aston; and it is up for auction later this year. Film buffs will know that the car features a variety of modifications dreamt up by special effects expert John Sears.
After the car's final film appearance in Thunderball in 1965 it was returned to Aston Martin and converted back to standard specification. The car was then purchased by an American, Mr Jerry Lee, who has owned the car for the last 41 years. Mr Lee had the accessories re-installed and put the car on display in his home. Now the car will be auctioned and the proceeds of the sale will support Mr Lee's charitable work.
The Aston has been returned to running order by RM Auto Restoration. It will make a rare public appearance later this month at a Bond-themed concours and black-tie dinner. The event takes place at Stoke Park Golf Club - one of the locations used for Goldfinger - on 26th June.
RM Auctions, in conjunction with Sothebys, will auction the DB5 on 27th October. It is estimated to sell for in excess of £3.4 million.
John Lambert - 2 Jun 2010