James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin from Goldfinger and Thunderball is going up for auction. The car could fetch at least $5 million (U.S.). Not a bad investment for a Philadelphia-area radio station owner who bought it from the Aston Martin factory for $12,000 (U.S.) in 1969.Mr. Lee kept the car in a specially-built room in his house, and has never driven it.
A specialist involved with the sale said, "This isn't a car. It's a cultural icon. There's nothing else like it."
Preparing the car for sale focused on some key areas. "Mechanics at RM’s restoration facility in Blenheim, Ont. overhauled the brakes and exhaust system, but refrained from repainting the car, or, God forbid, replacing the leather seats..."
The engine and transmission were working fine. (Although the car is 46 years old, it has only 31,000 miles on its odometer.) The RM technicians also checked and cleaned the DB5’s famous armaments and defensive systems, which are well known to Bond aficionados. Among them: a pair of machine guns that pop out from behind the turn signals, and an ejection seat that could launch villains through the roof (the actuator switch is hidden in the shift lever.)"
Of course, this brings to mind several other top movie cars of all time:
- 2003 Mini Cooper S from "The Italian Job"
- 1959 Cadillac ambulance from "Ghostbusters"
- 1974 Dodge Monaco, from "The Blue Brothers"
- 1932 Ford coupe from "American Graffiti"
- 1961 Ferrari 250 GT from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
But my all time favourite has to be the 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 from "Bullitt." The 7 minute car chase scene from the 1968 movie is still riveting. That, and the 'magic maker' car, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.
Any other favourite vehicles with great memories, in fantasy or reality?
