The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery portraying James Bond in Goldfinger and Thunderball will be auctioned Oct. 27 by RM Auctions of London, the world’s largest collector car auction house.
One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, the James Bond car will be part of the annual “Automobiles of London” event at the Battersea Evolution in London.
The car will be for sale or the first time and is expected to attract a purchase price of $5 million.
Globally known by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, the Aston Martin is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original ‘007’ DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunberball movies.
With its ‘rather interesting modifications’ originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, the 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 center arm-rest.
AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES
Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars
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 its subsequent promotional tour.
Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, 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 publicly over the past 40-plus ears.
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, with an emphasis on crime prevention.
“The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” said Lee. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.”
Today, FMP 7B is presented in highly original condition and recently underwent a careful re-commissioning program by RM Auto Restoration, returning it to running condition after the many years of static display in Lee’s home.
In advance of its auction debut at RM’s Automobiles of London sale, the car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic/Thunderball concours and black-tie reception June 26 at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London.
Bond fans will recognize the Stoke Park Club as site of the first confrontation between 007 and Mr. Goldfinger.
For event and ticket information, visit: JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN
Article Last Updated: June 1, 2010.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
