One of the most famous cinema icons - James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 - will be the star of RM Auctions' annual "Automobiles of London" event at the Battersea Evolution in London on 27th October. For the first time since it was originally sold in 1969, the mythical car will be offered for sale and it is expected to achieve in excess of $5 million.
Bond fans and collectors alike know the car by its original UK registration number: FMP 7B. It is one of only two (and only known remaining) cars featured on screen in the Goldfinger and Thunberball movies, with Sean Connery driving. The other Bond DB5 was reported stolen in 1997 and is believed to have been destroyed.
Twice a film star
As the 'Road Car' driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, FMP 7B was fitted with one of the first Vantage engine of any DB5, however, it displays triple SU carbs rather than Webers.
For Thunderball, the car was modified by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, also known for his work in Star Wars and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He fitted FMP 7B with a complete regalia of gadgets that were demonstrated in the film by major Algernon Boothroyd, also known as "Q", with his famous British phlegm. They include machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen. All gadgets are controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm rest.
One-owner car
The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory after its subsequent promotional tour. Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, convinced the factory to sell FMP 7B to him for $12,000 in 1969, thereby becoming its first and only ex-factory owner. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 40+ years.
Bond fans and collectors alike know the car by its original UK registration number: FMP 7B. It is one of only two (and only known remaining) cars featured on screen in the Goldfinger and Thunberball movies, with Sean Connery driving. The other Bond DB5 was reported stolen in 1997 and is believed to have been destroyed.
Twice a film star
As the 'Road Car' driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, FMP 7B was fitted with one of the first Vantage engine of any DB5, however, it displays triple SU carbs rather than Webers.
For Thunderball, the car was modified by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, also known for his work in Star Wars and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He fitted FMP 7B with a complete regalia of gadgets that were demonstrated in the film by major Algernon Boothroyd, also known as "Q", with his famous British phlegm. They include machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen. All gadgets are controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm rest.
One-owner car
The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory after its subsequent promotional tour. Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, convinced the factory to sell FMP 7B to him for $12,000 in 1969, thereby becoming its first and only ex-factory owner. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 40+ years.
 |
| Photo: Shooterz |