Despite popular belief, James Bond didn’t always drive an Aston Martin in the movies. 1962’s Dr. No had Sean Connery’s 007 in a Sunbeam Alpine, followed by a Bentley Mark IV in From Russia with Love. It wasn’t until 1964’s mega-hit Goldfinger that the DB5 was used on-screen, forever changing the cinematic landscape for automobiles. Of course, Ian Fleming’s novels had Bond in an Aston Martin, although it was a Mark III DB. The DB5 was new (at the time) and more impressive for moviegoers who idolized the secret agent, and it has since become one of the most famous cars in film history.
The Aston Martin DB5 would be used again in seven more Bond movie installments, including 1965’s Thunderball, where it was also driven by Connery, and last year’s No Time To Die, where Daniel Craig got behind the wheel for the final time. Now, Broad Arrow Auctions is offering up a one-of-a-kind example of a 1964 DB5 later this summer. What makes this saloon so special, other than its remarkable gray bodywork and red Connolly leather interior, is that it was owned by the original on-screen James Bond himself: Sean Connery.
Throughout his prolific career, the late Scottish actor portrayed 007 a total of six times; seven if you count the non-canonical Never Say Never Again. And while this DB5 up for sale wasn’t featured in any of those films, it does have the only distinction of being the only Aston Martin in Connery’s personal collection. The winner of the lot will not only take home this amazing vehicle, of which less than 1,100 were ever produced, but will be able to schedule a drive with F1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart, a close friend of Connery’s.
This monumental automobile is crossing the auction block at the Monterey Jet Center Auction this coming August from Broad Arrow Auctions. It’s estimated to go for between $1,400,000 and $1,800,000, with a large portion of the proceeds going toward the Sean Connery Philanthropy Fund.
