This will bring out the little boy in everyone, of any age and either gender. Who wouldn’t secretly love to own this genuine James Bond car from Goldfinger and Thunderball, complete with ‘Q-Branch’ gadgets such as machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil-slick sprayer, nail-spreader and smokescreen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the centre arm-rest. Oh yes.

Known around the world by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, this 1964 Aston Martin is one of the two original ‘007’ DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery – and it’s the only one remaining.

When RM (in association with Sotheby’s) puts the car under the hammer on 27 October, at its annual ‘Automobiles of London’ event at the Battersea Evolution venue, it will be the first time in history that this car has come to market. And I think we can confidently predict a packed auction hall, with plenty of less-usual buyers keen to get their hands on this ultimate boys’ toy.

The auction house expects the sale price to top $5 million – which, given the wide appeal of this unique car, certainly isn’t laughable. “Like ‘Q’, we never joke about our work,” confirms Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.

Originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, the DB5 was returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory and then, in 1969, sold to Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, for $12,000. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 40+ years.

Today, we’re told that FMP 7B is presented in ‘highly original condition’, having recently undergone a careful re-commissioning programme by RM Auto Restoration, after the many years of static display in Mr. Lee’s home. Mr. Lee plans to use the proceeds from the sale of FMP 7B to further the charitable work of The Jerry Lee Foundation, a multi-national initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, and crime prevention in particular.

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, near London.

For further information, see rmauctions.com.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Shooterz / RM Auctions