Video: Aston Martin rebuilds James Bond’s DB5, with ‘guns’ and gadgets
British sports car maker Aston Martin has wound back the clock to reproduce the DB5 from the classic 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger.
The first of 25 limited edition vehicles – complete with movie stunt gadgets such as revolving number plates, pretend machine guns, a bulletproof shield, and an oil slick delivery system – was finished last week.
Aston Martin has released a video that illustrates the attention to detail and how each gadget works (shown at the bottom of this story).
The vehicles are being produced in co-operation with Bond filmmaker Eon Productions, and include a number of functioning devices created by special effects supervisor Chris Corbould.
Aston Martin says each of the 25 cars takes 4500 hours of labour to produce – about six months – from start to finish. The price of the cars and the names of buyers are not disclosed.
“Each of the 25 new cars are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, with some sympathetic modifications and enhancements to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability,” a statement from Aston Martin said.
All the Goldfinger Edition Aston Martin DB5 cars are finished in Silver Birch paint, as with the movie car.
The list of Bond-inspired gadgets includes:
Exterior:
Rear smoke screen delivery system
Rear simulated oil slick delivery system
Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)
Simulated twin front machine guns
Bullet resistant rear shield
Battering rams front and rear
Simulated tyre slasher
Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)
Interior:
Simulated radar screen tracker map
Telephone in driver’s door
Gear knob actuator button
Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear
Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray
Remote control for gadget activation
The car pictured is the first Aston Martin DB5 built by the British sport car specialist in more than half a century, and was completed at the company’s original manufacturing base in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.
The modern versions of the Aston Martin DB5 have aluminium exterior body panels cloaking an authentic DB5 mild steel chassis.
Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine with a six-plug head, three SU carburettors and oil cooler, with a claimed output of 290hp (216kW) paired to a five-speed ZF manual transmission and mechanical limited-slip differential.
Fewer than 900 examples of the Aston Martin DB5 were built between 1963 and 1965, the most notable of which was the movie car.
In a media statement, Marek Reichman, head of design for Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “The DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association with James Bond. To see, the first customer car finished, and realise that this is the first new DB5 we have built in more than half a century, really is quite a moment.
“It is a genuine privilege, and significant responsibility, to have been involved in the shaping of this new DB5 and to be helping to lead the creation of new versions of this automotive icon. I’m absolutely certain that the 25 lucky owners who are beginning to take delivery of these cars will be thrilled with them.”
Aston Martin says the first DB5 Goldfinger Continuation car has been delivered to its buyer; others will follow in the second half of 2020.