The sole surviving 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond movie car is going under the hammer, and is expected to achieve a sale price in the region of £3 million.
Well-known around the world by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, this Aston Martin is one of only two, and apparently the sole remaining, of the original '007' DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the Goldfinger and Thunberball movies.
With its 'rather interesting modifications' originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational 'Q-Branch' gadgets, including machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the centre arm-rest.
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 a subsequent promotional tour. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster, 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 in public since. The car recently underwent re-commissioning, returning it to running condition after many years of static display in the owner's home.
In advance of its auction debut at RM's sale on 27 October, the car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic/Thunderball concours and black-tie reception scheduled for 26 June at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London.
Bond fans should recognize the Stoke Park Club as the site of the first confrontation between 007 and Goldfinger.