Commissioned by Eon Productions as a promotional car for Thunderball on the back of the wild popularity of Goldfinger, this Aston Martin DB5 is one of just two examples kitted out with all of the Q Branch gadgets as employed by Sean Connery’s 007 in the third adaptation of Ian Fleming’s spy novels. What’s more, they’re virtually all fully functional, from the Browning machine guns in the fenders and the wheel mounted tyre shredders to the deployable bulletproof rear screen, smoke screen dispensers, and famous revolving license plates.

Aston Martin’s enduring relationship with the Bond franchise has led the silver DB5, which has appeared in numerous 007 flicks, to become arguably one of the world’s most famous classic cars. After its promotional duties were complete, this particular DB5 was sold in 1969 to Sir Anthony Bamford and it subsequently wound up in a Tennessee museum, where it was displayed for 35 years. RM actually sold the car back in 2006, since when it’s been extensively restored by a marque specialist in Switzerland. 

On 15 August, RM Sotheby’s will stage An Evening with Aston Martin, an addendum to its flagship Monterey auction during which 30 of the world’s most significant road and race Astons will be sold, spearheaded by this very DB5. It’s been given a pre-sale estimate of 4–6m euros, although with such a high-profile vehicle, anything can happen. 

Imagery: RM Sotheby’s