An Aston Martin car which was used for the classic James Bond film Thunderball is a record-breaker after becoming the most expensive DB5 yet sold.

The 1965 DB5 fetched $6,385,000 (£5.25m) when it went under the hammer in California on Thursday, August 15.

Auctioneer RM Sotheby’s had expected the classic Aston to fetch between $4m and $6m (£3.1 - £4.7m) but the final sale price went beyond that, breaking the previous DB5 sold at auction record by almost $2m.

The DB5 was specially adapted for its film role and its cinematic gadgets included Browning.30 caliber machine guns, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, smoke screen dispensers and revolving number plates.

It was originally commissioned and used in the promotion of the James Bond film Thunderball.

The 1965 DB5 used for the James Bond film Thunderball
The 1965 DB5 used for the James Bond film Thunderball

The car’s gadgets were designed by special effects expert John Stears after he visited Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory in 1963.

Two modified cars were built to be used in Goldfinger; one for stunt driving and chase sequences, and the other for interior shots and close-ups.

The success of Goldfinger was also a success for Aston Martin, which saw DB5 sales surge to unprecedented levels.

Bosses at Eon Productions took notice of the potential marketing opportunities and ordered two more DB5 saloons in preparation for Thunderball’s release.

These cars were fitted with all the Goldfinger modifications and shipped to the United States to promote Thunderball.

It is one of these which was sold at auction.

After the US promo tour for Thunderball the cars were bought by a collector in 1969 and sold to a museum in Tennessee where they spent 35 years on display.

The Bond DB5 has had just three private owners over 50 years and was sold after a full restoration of all its gadgets.

As Q explained to 007, the DB5 was equipped with front and rear hydraulic over-rider rams on the bumpers, a Browning.30 caliber machine gun in each fender, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, a raising rear bullet-proof screen, an in-dash radar tracking scope, oil, caltrop and smoke screen dispensers, revolving number plates, and a passenger-seat ejection system.

It was also equipped with a telephone in the driver’s door to communicate with MI6 headquarters and a hidden compartment under the driver’s seat for weapons.

The bidding war for the DB5 was furious, with six interested parties taking part.

A 1965 DB5 Shooting Brake changed hands for $1,765,000
A 1965 DB5 Shooting Brake changed hands for $1,765,000

Barney Ruprecht, car specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “It was an honour to offer the iconic James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin Lagonda.

“We are beyond thrilled with the fantastic result and proud to have set a new record for the most valuable DB5 sold at auction.

“Beyond this new auction record, the enormous amount of interest in the car and excitement surrounding it ahead of the auction solidifies its status as the ‘most famous car in the world’, along with the hobby’s great respect for the Aston Martin brand.”

The ‘Evening with Aston Martin ’ sale in Monterey also saw another Aston Martin change hands for an eye-watering sum.

A 1965 DB5 Shooting Brake changed hands for $1,765,000.

Andy Palmer, president and group CEO Aston Martin Lagonda , said: “The interest among collectors and enthusiasts worldwide underscores the enduring global appeal of this great British sports car company.

“Aston Martin Lagonda has stood tall at the pinnacle of the British automotive world for over a century.

“Recognised today for our excellence in design, engineering, craftsmanship and style, we of course would not stand in this position without a rich history of iconic models that have helped shape and define what this brand means today.

“Thanks to RM Sotheby’s, this event has been, without question, a highlight on the Aston Martin heritage calendar in 2019 and I, for one, look forward to seeing many more sales in the future, in partnership with our exceptional heritage division, Aston Martin Works.”

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