Bond in motion
Aston Martin’s Goldfinger DB5 brings to life the car vehicle driven by the world’s most famous spy, writes Natalie Glorney
For years, the legendary character of James Bond has graced our screens with style, mystery and sophistication. Every man wants to be him, every woman to be with him. The iconic man embodies the ideal of the British gentleman and what it means to be one. Cars have played an important role in every James Bond film and book, with Bond at the wheel of a wide array of vehicles that have been modified to include weapons, anti-pursuit systems and alternative transport modes. None have been featured more so than British car manufacturer Aston Martin.
Featured primarily in the third Bond film Goldfinger, the DB5 is the most famous Bond car of all time, equipped with the Q Branch refinements that became famous throughout the series of films. Now, for the first time in almost 55 years Aston Martin is once again building one of the most iconic sports cars in the world as engineering development starts on the forthcoming Goldfinger DB5 continuation cars.
Aston Martin and EON Productions, the company that produces the James Bond films, are working on the 25 new cars that, aside from being remarkable as new-build DB5’s, will also feature an exciting array of working gadgets first seen on screen.
Built at Aston Martin Works in Buckinghamshire, UK, the historic home of the brand for more than half a century and the place where all 898 original DB5 sports cars were manufactured, the 25 continuation models will include an array of functioning devices created by Bond film special effects expert Chris Corbould OBE.
As development works continues, and the first engineering car takes shape, the team are working through the testing challenges of bringing legendary cinema scenes into the real world.
“The main challenge has been to recreate the gadgets from the film world and transfer them into a consumer product. We have licence in the film world to ‘cheat’ different aspects under controlled conditions. For instance, we might have four different cars to accommodate four different gadgets. We obviously don’t have that luxury on these DB5’s as all the gadgets have to work in the same car all the time,” Corbould explains.
The DB5 featured in the Goldfinger film included all manner of ‘non-standard’ equipment supplied by Q Branch, from battering rams that emerged out of the front bumper to a retractable bullet-proof rear screen and oil slick delivery system. The 25 Goldfinger DB5 continuation cars are set to feature a similar array of extras, all standard-fitment on the new cars.
Subject to final engineering approval, the list of Bond-inspired gadgets will include rear smoke screen and rear simulated oil slick delivery systems, revolving number plates, simulated twin front machine guns, bullet resistant rear shield and battering rams front and rear.
Inside, the cars also have some exciting features familiar to viewers of the classic 1964 big screen hit. A simulated radar screen tracker map, a telephone in the driver’s door, gear knob actuator button, armrest and centre console mounted switchgear and under-seat hidden weapons tray are all incorporated in to the stylish interior.
Every new car will be authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, with some sympathetic modifications to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability. Similarly, all the Goldfinger edition cars will be produced to one exterior colour specification, Silver Birch paint, just like the original. With a price tag of £2.75m for each Goldfinger DB5 continuation car, this is for the serious car collector or James Bond fan that simply can’t resist playing 007 themselves. First deliveries to customers will commence in 2020.
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