Eaglemoss announced today that the 1:8 scale replica of the Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 is now available to buy online as a completed model.

The replica DB5 was originally released as a build-up kit that was distributed in weekly instalments, but now, to celebrate the release of the 24th 007 film SPECTRE on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD, Eaglemoss Ltd, EON Productions and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd are making this detailed replica of the DB5 available exclusively from Eaglemoss’s website: www.007db5.com.

Until now completed models have only been available at auction, with Bonhams selling several for in excess of £2,000.

Eaglemoss are making a limited run of 200 models, each of which will be hand built to order.

Each model costs £1,299 and is supplied with a numbered letter of authenticity and a unique collector’s book celebrating the Goldfinger DB5.

The model is shipped for free within the UK. International orders will currenlty only be taken for English speaking countries, contact Eaglemoss for more details, but other regions might be able to order the model at a later stage.

The model is a 1:8 scale replica of the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 that was featured in the movie Goldfinger. the model is 57.12cm long, 19.75cm wide and stands 16. 5cm tall. It weighs over 12kg. The body is made of die-cast metal, and the interior is constructed of high quality ABS.

It replicates many of the special modifications that were made by the film-makers for Goldfinger, including a working ejector seat, concealed machine guns, over-riders, tyre-slashers, bulletproof shield, tracking device and some extra features that were made for, but never seen in, the film: a weapons tray under the driver’s seat and a radio telephone in the door.

The model also has functioning electrics, with working headlamps, and an illuminated dashboard and tracking device. The brake lights can be activated by pressing the brake pedal; the horn sounds when you press on the centre of the steering wheel and putting the key in the dashboard makes the car produce the sound of a real DB5 engine.

Every care has been taken to make the model as accurate as possible. Replicating the original Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 isn’t as simple as it might sound. Two different cars were used during filming, and both had their Q-branch features stripped out after filming was completed. Four more DB5’s were then fitted with all the ‘gadgets’ and sent on tour to promote the film. The Eaglemoss replica was developed by working closely with Aston Martin and was made with careful reference to a real DB5 at Aston Martin’s workshop and to photography of the cars that were adapted for use in the James Bond films.

The first completed model to be shipped is being offered through a competition run by 007.com. You can order the completed model can on 007db5.com.

The spirit of 1960s classic cars like the Aston Martin DB5 lives on in the form of a brand new sportscar, the David Brown Speedback GT. I was able to have a close look at this beautiful automobile in the temporary showroom in Chelsea, London.

I think this car looks good on me, I'll have one please!

The first time I saw a David Brown Speedback GT in real life was in June 2015, on a highway in Belgium. I noticed a vintage looking car in my rear view mirror, and when it came closer I still thought it was a classic car. Only when it passed me I recognised the design that is so very reminiscent of the DB5. I had read about the Speedback GT and had seen photos online, but it was a very impressive sight to see the car drive on the highway. I was able to capture some shots of the Speedback GT which you can see below and on the Bond Lifestyle Instagram page here, and here.

Captured on the highway, the David Brown Speedback GT

Now, almost a year later, I'm invited for a private viewing of one of the first production models of the Speedback GT and I find out that the car I saw on the highway was one of the prototype show models, driven that day by the founder of the brand, David Brown himself with next to him David Brown's brand manager Michelle Gay who is now so kind to give me the viewing of the car.

The story of the Speedback GT starts with the vision of a man who's name happens to be the same as the name of the head of Aston Martin from 1947 to 1972, Sir David Brown. (The letters DB in the models DB2, DB3, DB4, DB5, DB6, DB7, DB9 and DBS are a reference to Sir David Brown). The Speedback GT's David Brown is a successful British entrepreneur with a love for vintage cars, but like many car enthusiasts, he is not so keen on the (reliability of) vintage technology. And rather than fitting an old Jaguar E-Type with a new engine, Brown decided to build a completely new car, based on state-of-the-art technology but with the looks of all the vintage cars he loves. Soon after starting his project, he realised more people might be interested in a car like this so he sets up David Brown Automotive and designs a car that can be produced in a very limited run.

The Speedback GT, with its high built quality, gives contemporary Astons a run for their money

The result is the impressive Speedback GT, a car that aims to please the eye, is easy to drive, but appeals to the people that have it all, the richest people on the planet. To do this, each part of this car needed to be perfect, the quality of an extremely high level. So the Speedback GT is not only a beautiful car, but is made with the latest 3D sculpting technology, combined with countless man hours of skilled craftsmen. The body for example is made from 42 aluminum panels that are hammered, shaped and assembled by hand.

Powerful LED lights in the vintage looking headlights

The design is of course the first thing that touches the heart of the beholder, and the Speedback GT offers plenty of emotions. Chrome details, spoke rims, a large hood and short back, and the sensual lines of a classic Grand Tourer two-seater. Hardly anything of the exterior tells you that this is a modern car, only perhaps the slightly oversized side mirrors.

The car is obviously greatly inspired by the most famous movie car of all time, the Aston Martin DB5, although on closer inspection there are many differences with this style icon and other influences can be spotted as well, including those of 1960s Jaguars, Ferraris, Maseratis and Porsches.

Besides the overall similar shape of the DB5, there are some elements that clearly reference the DB5, for example the side vents with chrome stripe, the large air intake on the hood, the round headlights with smaller round parking/blinker lights below, and the shape of the rear lights.

The Speedback GT looks good from every angle

And what about the emblem - compare the DB5 logo and the Speedback GT's emblems below.

Compare the DB5 and Speedback GT emblems

But the Speedback GT is not a replica. Far from it. It dares to challenge it inspiring ancestor with some bold new design elements, like the fantastic leather picnic bench that slides out of the rear (suggested by a talented design intern). A feature that Q would be proud of, and James Bond would find appropriate (or inappropriate) use for.

Fancy having a picnic?

With an attention to detail in every aspect, the GT rivals the top of the range cars of top luxury and sportscar makers available today. And the Speedback GT offers something that even Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce have more and more difficulty in providing: exclusivity. Ferrari sold more than 7,500 cars in 2015, and Lamborghini sold more than 3,600 of their successful top model, the Aventador in the last 5 years. The Speedback GT? Only 100 of these cars will be made. Ever. Now that is something that appeals to the people that have it all and want to stand out. Together with the vintage looks, extremely high build quality and modern technology, it's a solid offer from such a young car producer.

Speaking of technology, you are probably wondering what is under that beautifully sculpted hood. No, it's not an Aston Martin engine, but the roaring 5.0 litre V8 of the latest Jaguar XKR, which is supercharged to produce 500bhp at 6000rpm. It elegantly accelerates from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. With a little extra weight compared to the XKR, the GT's not a pure racing machine, but as a Gran Tourer should, it will get you where ever you go fast enough and in style.

In fact not only the engine is based on an XKR. The chassis, drivetrain, automatic 6-speed gearbox, suspension and most other technical elements are taken from the powerful Jag. And it doesn't stop there: even the interior contains many technical elements of the Jag.

The benefits of these Jaguar influences are obvious: you can bring it to a local Jaguar dealership for maintenance and new parts will be easily available.

Beauty and comfort combined in the handcrafted interior

The cabin of the car is quite a step up from a Jaguar and even from many of the current Aston Martins. The leather and wood covered interior is a feast of the eye, and even for a tall person like me (1m95) it's very comfortable in the soft seats, with enough space between the top of my head and the roof.

Only the finest Scottish leathers and premium English wood veneers are used in the interior of Speedback GT.

The inside of the doors have unique shapes that can only be created by 3D sculpting techniques.

I was allowed to press the START button, and the deafening start-up roar gave half the people in the store a proper scare.

The central console with beautifully shaped solid aluminum details.

The steering wheel also gives another subtle nod to the DB5 with the steel studded wooden design.

There are two seats in the back, making it a 2+2, but like with many GTs or sportscars, these seats are fairly useless, so you are better off choosing the optional storage space instead of the chairs.

The company prides itself on making each Speedback GT exactly to the taste of the lucky buyer, so most things can be customised. Which options would you have installed? A champagne cooler, naturally. A few hidden compartments, of course. And what about the colors? A red leather interior and gunmetal grey exterior? Or this light blue paint combined with tan leather?

The first Speedback GT was delivered to a client only a few months ago, and it is being driven around Paris by its owner regularly, proving this car can be your daily driver. This lovely blue specimen that I had the pleasure of meeting will be rolling to its new owner as we speak.

For the wheels you can choose between classic metal spokes (see above) or a modern interpretation of the British Flag.

...or wheels inspired by the British Flag?
photo © David Brown

Unfortunately there are no plans to make the Speedback GT into a convertible. Too complicated for a small motor company like David Brown Automotive. But who knows, if the Speedback GT is a success, maybe the next David Brown will be a reincarnation of... may I suggest an E-Type Convertible?

You can get yourself a brand new, customised Speedback GT for about £500,000 excluding taxes... which is almost the same price of a vintage Aston Martin DB5 (although the value of those is rising fast). I guarantee you the Speedback GT will turn just as many heads as the DB5 and you will be much more comfortable and a lot faster. If I had the choice, I would have to think twice. But people that have choice, probably just get both.

Contact
David Brown Automotive
+44 (0) 24 7722 0510
info@davidbrownautomotive.com
www.davidbrownautomotive.com

Instagram: @davidbrownautomotive

With thanks to Michelle Gay at David Brown
All photos © Remmert van Braam/Bond Lifestyle unless stated otherwise

The upcoming Bonham's Aston Martin Sale auction on 13 May 2017 features Aston Martins and related James Bond automobilia.

Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale License Plate

On auction will be a rear plate TT 378-20 as fitted to James Bond's Aston Martin DBS in the 2006 film Casino Royale. This is a Serbia and Montenegro rear plate, in acrylic with black lettering on white ground and featuring the Aston Martin logo, as fitted to one of the Aston Martin DBS V12 cars driven by 007, played by actor Daniel Craig, and featuring in several scenes in the film, 55cm wide, mounted to a presentation display stand.

The Aston Martin DBS V12 cars used in the film Casino Royale were specially modified versions of the Aston Martin DB9, as the DBS V12 was not officially unveiled until the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Item number 169
Estimated price: £2,000 - 3,000 (€2,400 - 3,500 / $2,500 - 3,800)

Aston Martin DB5 Casino Royale License Plate

A Nassau Bahamas license plate 56526 as fitted to James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in the 2006 film Casino Royale, pressed tin plate with yellow lettering on blue ground, one of two plates fitted to the left-hand drive DB5 won by 007, played by actor Daniel Craig, in the poker game from Alex Dimitrios at the One & Only Ocean Club, and appearing in several scenes in the film, measuring 30cm wide and with some soft dents and bends, mounted on a presentation display stand.

Item number 170
Estimated price: £2,000 - 3,000 (€2,400 - 3,500 / $2,500 - 3,800)

1982 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante

Although an earlier model, this green Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante looks very similar to the V8 Vantage driven by Bond in The Living Daylights (1987).

2007 Aston Martin Vanquish S

The 2007 S is an updated model from the Vanquish used by Bond in the 2002 film Die Another Day.

James Bond automobilia

Other Bond related items include signed photos of Aston Martin DB10, DB5 and Daniel Craig, and a 1:8 scale Aston Martin DB5 model.

Signed photographs

1:8 scale Aston Martin DB5 'Goldfinger'

Aston Martin Casino Royale Corgi set

Another interesting piece is this rare Corgi James Bond Casino Royale ‘first shot’ limited edition gift set, numbered 83/300, Corgi number CC99195, comprising 1:36 scale models of DB5 and DBS, each signed by the model maker, unpainted bare metal pre-production ‘first shot’ castings, in wooden display case fitted with a $1,000,000 casino chip as certificate, with card outer display sleeve.

The Bonhams Aston Martin Sale auction auction takes place on Saturday 13 May 2017 at Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell (the location of the original Aston Martin factory) in the UK. There are many other interesting lots in all price ranges for Aston Martin and James Bond enthusiasts, so check out the full auction catalog on Bonhams.com.

An Aston Martin DB5, purchased new by Paul McCartney in 1964, goes under the hammer at Bonham's on December 2nd 2017 during The Bond Street Sale.

Paul McCartney is a former member of The Beatles and wrote and performed the James Bond theme song for the Bond film Live And Let Die in 1973 with his band Wings.

Paul McCartney's Aston Martin DB5 "64 MAC" will be auctioned this December

The Aston Martin DB5 became world famous thanks to its appearance in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, the first movie that featured the DB5 as Bond’s car. Paul McCartney ordered the car in the summer of 1964, well before the movie came out, and he received the car on 22 September 1964, only five days after the Goldfinger World Premiere that was held at Leicester Square on September 17th 1964.

The purchase price of Paul's DB5 in 1964 was £3,800 plus purchase tax of £793.

Paul McCartney's Aston Martin DB5 "64 MAC" was originally blue, but after a restoration painted in silver grey

In a September 1967 profile of Paul McCartney, Time magazine wrote: 'Bachelor Paul, 25 (his favorite "bird" is 21-year old actress Jane Asher) is a movie addict, loves "the look of London" and tools around town in a spiffy blue Aston Martin DB5’.


The Aston was originally finished in Sierra Blue with black interior. Reportedly, the original interior leather also featured musical note-styled patterns in the stitching.

Paul McCartney's Aston Martin DB5 in 2012, before a RM Auctions sale, in the colour Sierra Blue (repainted but the same colour as Paul ordered it in 1964)
Photos © RM Auctions

Unusually, the car was also supplied with a Philips Auto-Mignon record player.

McCartney ordered a Philips record player with his DB5

McCartney owned the DB5 for six years, until 1970. Though Paul McCartney later owned a green Aston Martin DB6, which has been the subject of extensive media coverage, this lesser known DB5 is believed to be the first Aston owned by the musician.

He ordered it at a particularly important career juncture: just weeks after the Beatles' famous appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and the completion of filming 'A Hard Day's Night', their first film. 


This DB5 also made an impression on Roger McGuinn, guitarist with the Californian rock band, The Byrds. McGuinn once recalled a concert that his band performed during their 1965 UK tour. Apparently the Beatles were in attendance and, following the show, the two bands spent some time socialising. 'The next night,' recalled Guinn, 'I went to Paul McCartney's club in St James's and he took me out for a drive around London in his Aston Martin DB5. It was a really amazing time.'

The original interior was black, but after the recent restoration it was fitted with a red interior

The interior now features references to Paul McCartney and The Beatles



In 1970, the odometer reading was 40,513 miles and it is believed that the car was sold to Truebell Stationers in Wandsworth, Southwest London. In the next decades, the car changed hands a few times.



The car was later acquired by broadcaster and motoring enthusiast, Chris Evans, who purchased the car's most appropriate '64 MAC' registration for it.

Former owner Chris Evans added the 64 MAC licence pate to the car

Again the car was sold a few times and only recently the car exterior was repainted in silver (instead of the original Sierra Blue) and the interior changed to red leather, instead of the original black.

The car has been completely restored and is currently in an immaculate condition.

In 2012, before the major restoration, the DB5 in its original Sierra Blue colour was sold for £344,400 ($550,282) at RM Auctions' in London. The estimated price for the now restored car at the upcoming auction is £1,250,000 - 1,500,000 ($1,650,000 - 2,000,000 / €1,400,000 - 1,700,000).

In the same auction, another Aston Martin DB5 will be auction. This Vantage Saloon is left-hand drive and has an expected price of £600,000 - 800,000 ($800,000 - 1,050,000 / €670,000 - 890,000), more info here.

Another Aston Martin DB5, a right-hand drive Vantage, will also be offered during the same auction

The auction will take place on December 2nd 2017 at The Bond Street Sale in London. 

For the complete story of the car and recent restoration, visit Bonhams.com.

All photos © Bonham's unless noted otherwise

We can reveal some of the collectibles in the surprise The James Bond Collectors Box from A-Box that was announced earlier this month.

The A-Box (available here) will contain (among other things) a gold Aston Martin DB5 keychain and SPECTRE cufflinks. Other items are a t-shirt, stainless steel travel mug, movie poster pin set of 6 and a high end Bond villain coaster set.

It's the same keyring as offerd in silver on the official 007 store, but then in gold.

Gold Aston Martin DB5 keyring
This luxury keyring shows off the Aston Martin DB5, which is famous for being the most recognised cinematic James Bond car, first appearing in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964) and then Thunderball, a year later. It is considered to be the quintessential vehicle of the character.

SPECTRE Cufflinks
The metal cufflinks have the shape of the octopus logo from SPECTRE (an acronym of Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, and Extortion). SPECTRE is a global criminal and terrorist organisation featured across the James Bond novels and films.

The SPECTRE symbol has seen a number of changes over the past 50 years, but remains a important and recognisable piece of James Bond iconography and a potent symbol for James Bond's most tenacious adversary. The cufflinks feature the latest symbol as seen in the movie SPECTRE (2015).

About Limited Edition James Bond Collectors
A-Box announced a Limited Edition James Bond Collectors Box earlier this month.

The James Bond box contains officially licenced clothing, collectibles and more. Each box costs £39 (or $39 / €45). The Limited Edition James Bond Collectors Box can be ordered now and will ship on December 15th 2017.

A-Box is available in the USA, UK and across the EU.

Find out more on A-Box.com.

Find this and other gifts in the Bond Lifestyle 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.

Bonhams will auction an authentic and original Aston Martin DB5 on December 6th during the London Olympia Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia sale.

This Aston Martin DB5 with licence plate 2183RD has been used as a daily driver around London for the past three decades (see for example this spot from 2008 on Autogespot).

This beautiful car is from 1964, the same year as Bond drove his Aston Martin DB5 for the first time in the movie Goldfinger.

Finished in the same iconic Silver Birch colour scheme as the legendary James Bond vehicle.

It has been cherished by its current owner since 1988, when he purchased it from his father-in-law - a true family vehicle.

This is a fast car rendered even quicker by some engine enlargement, taking it up to an impressive 4.2 litre capacity and adding in V8 Vantage valves.

Due to its original state, it needs a lot of restoration work if you want to get the car in concours standard. Therefor the price of the Aston Martin DB5 2183 RD is relatively low, with an estimated £350,000 - 450,000 ($470,000 - 600,000 / €400,000 - 510,000).

A few days ago, on December 2nd, Bonhams sold the Aston Martin DB5 owned by Paul McCartney for £1,345,500 ($1,8m / €1,5m) inc. premium and another DB5 (left-hand-drive) sold for £830,300 ($1,1m / €943,683) inc. premium.

For more information about the latest auction, visit Bonhams.com.

Coys in the UK is offering for sale an Aston Martin DB5 which was modified to recreate the famous Goldfinger car, including revolving number plates, 'machine guns' and smoke gun.

This very interesting DB5 Saloon was delivered new on 19th February 1964, finished in Sierra Blue with a contrasting grey connolly leather interior, and optioned with a sliding roof, wireless radio and heater. By the late 1990s the Aston was advertised for sale at Aston Martin specialist Nicholas Mee of London at 57,500 miles, selling the DB5 to Fawaz Al Hasawi, businessman and former owner of Nottingham Forrest football club. The sale was completed on the basis that the car was refinished to “James Bond specification”, as such the DB5 was repainted in Silver Birch and the interior retrimmed in black leather.

Al Hasawi kept the DB5 for a number of years as part of his collection, during which time he entrusted maintenance and repair work to Aston Service London and specialists Ian Mason and Trinity Engineering, supported by invoices on file totalling £65,000.

The DB5 was later sold in 2015 to our current vendor via the specialist dealer Movendi in Duesseldorf, Germany, at which point it had been converted to left hand drive specification. Our vendor, a very keen James Bond enthusiast, decided to recreate the Goldfinger car with most of Q’s associated weapons and gadgets, and as such he entrusted a London-based specialist with the work.

Revolving number plates were fitted to the front and rear of the car, very authentic “machine guns” spitting real flames appear from the grille at the flick of a switch, and a rear mounted “smoke gun” creates the desired smoke screen where necessary.

Showing now approximately 60,000 miles recorded, and offered with a current and older UK V5 documents, a file of servicing a repair works completed, copy of original build sheet, and a number of MoT certificates dating to the 1990s, this is a wonderful proposition for the serious Bond fan.

Enquire at Coys for more information and the price.

Thanks to Morgan Lobb for the alert
Photos by Coys

On 13 July at its Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale, Bonhams will offer the ultimate Bond car – the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye. The estimate is £1,200,000 - £1,600,000 (€1.4m - €1.8m / $1.6m - $2.1m).

The DB5 has become synonymous with James Bond, and this example featured in the famous opening chase scene of GoldenEye where Bond dices with arch villainess Xenia Onatopp in her Ferrari F355 GTS through the hills above Monaco.

2001 Auction
In 2001 the car was first sold at auction. Entrepreneur Max Reid patiently held on through fierce bidding to purchase the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 used in the film GoldenEye on the 14th February 2001 at Christies.

The sale was one of more than 250 lots from all 21 Bond films, all for auction at the largest ever sale of gadgets and garments from 007 movies.

The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 was sold for £157,750 and made the Guinness book of World Records as the highest price ever paid for James Bond memorabilia at the time.

Following the sale Mr Reid said: "I think I got the Aston Martin for a bargain, a great price and I would have paid much more for it. February 14 is a big day for my wife. I had two reasons for the purchase - it's a great present for my wife and it will be wonderful publicity for my business as well. This is the first auction I have been to, but I am a big fan of James Bond."

The entrepreneur now stands to get a great return on his investment.

The DB5 has been on display at both The National Motor Museum and recently the Bond in Motion exhibition at Covent Garden. 

Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams Motor Cars Department Director, commented: "The DB5 is one of the most recognisable and desirable British classic cars in the world - it is also the ultimate Bond car. Every fan remembers Pierce Brosnan tearing through the hills in this car, and it must be up there as one of the most thrilling Bond car chases in history. This Aston Martin is something very special indeed."

The Silver Birch with Black Leather DB5 will be on display at Bonhams Aston Martin Sale on 2 June at Englefield House, Reading and sold at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on Friday 13 July 2018.

Current owner of the car Max Reid has created a website about the car on db5.co.uk.

More information about the sale can be found on the bonhams.com website.

All photos of the DB5 © Marc Wilmot

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato '2 VEV'
Although the DB5 is a major attraction of the upcoming auction, the most expensive star of the show might be the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Registration no. 2 VEV, the most valuable British motor car ever to be offered at a European auction.

The Essex Racing Stable team 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato '2 VEV' is the most celebrated of all of the Newport Pagnell marque's early 1960s Grand Touring cars, and arguably the most important of all of Carrozzeria Zagato's creations, with an incredible history. This truly charismatic competition car is to be offered - absolutely fresh from 47 years in single-family ownership - at Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 13 July. Find out more on Bonhams.

ENTER THE LATEST CONTEST
Don't forget to enter the latest Bond Lifestyle contest to win a Turnbull & Asser Casino Royale Shirt and Bow Tie!

In a coordinated social media post, the LEGO, Aston Martin and 007 Twitter accounts basically revealed that there finally will be an officially licenced LEGO 007 set.

This is what the Twitter conversation said:

@LEGO_Group:
We’ve been thinking about creating a special Secret (Service) model that could help an agent out in a tricky situation. Any ideas? @astonmartin #LicenceToBuild

@astonmartin:
We may have a few ideas for what the special model could be… :) #LicenceToBuild

@007:
Licence to build is authorised #LicenceToBuild

From the conversation it's not clear if it will be a one-off model (most likely an Aston Martin DB5, perhaps a large LEGO Technic model with many working gadgets), or if this will be the beginning of a long lasting deal with many 007 branded models, characters and sets, similar to the Star Wars, Jurassic World, Superheroes and Harry Potter series.

Fans have been asking for official LEGO 007 models for years and of course have been very creative in creating their own Bond cars and characters from LEGO, sometimes including detailed instructions.

The possibilities for the LEGO 007 products are endless, and even an animated TV series or at least an appearance of a James Bond character in a LEGO movie or episode are potential ideas.

There might be tie-ins with Bond 25 which will be released at the end of 2019, but we would not be surprised if the first 007 LEGO model(s) will be available at Christmas 2018, if not earlier. Stay tuned at Bond Lifestyle for more news.

Great news for LEGO and Bond fans: according to the latest rumours, LEGO will release its LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 in August 2018.

The arrival of an James Bond Aston Martin DB5 LEGO product has been teased by the LEGO, Aston Martin and 007 in the past weeks.

A Facebook Event suggests the new LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 will be unveiled on July 18, 2018 at 10:07 AM at a special event at the LEGO Store Leicester Square, London.

Thanks to calendars and pre-order pages in LEGO stores in Hungary and Italy, it seems to be certain that the LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 will be released in August, and available to pre-order from August 1, 2018. The price is probably set around £135 / €150 / $175 (but this is not confirmed and the exact price might be different per region). This would make it one of the more expensive and therefor probably more detailed and larger Creator Expert models.

The Creator Expert models are classified for 16 years and older. Other cars were previously released under the Creator Expert brand of LEGO, for example a Ferrari F40 (not produced anymore), a blue Volkswagen Beetle and red Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, a green Mini and a London double-decker bus. These models give an indication of what we can expect from the DB5. Probably (hopefully) a lot of moving parts, opening doors, working gadgets. 

Several buildings were also released under the Creator Expert brand, including the London Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

The release of the DB5 will mark the first officially licensed James Bond LEGO toy but it might also be the last, since LEGO understandably stays away from real weapons and war toys. But it is still possible that the collaboration will continue next year for Bond 25, perhaps if the DB5 turns out to be a massive success.

Stay tuned on Bond Lifestyle for more news about the LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5.

The GoldenEye Aston Martin DB5 and a SPECTRE Land Rover Defender were sold to the same new owner at the Bonhams Goodwood Festical Of Speed Sale on July 13th, 2018.

1965 Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye
The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye sold for £1,750,000 (approx. €2m / $2.3m) excl. fees, which is £1,961,500 including fees (approx. €2.2m / $2.6m). The estimate was £1,200,000 - £1,600,000 (€1.4m - €1.8m / $1.6m - $2.1m) and bidding started at £900.000. Bidding quickly went up to £1.5m, and then slowly went up to the final bid of £1,750,000. The identity of the winning bidder was not revealed at the time of the auction.

The DB5 has become synonymous with James Bond, and this example featured in the famous opening chase scene of GoldenEye where Bond dices with arch villainess Xenia Onatopp in her Ferrari F355 GTS through the hills above Monaco.

2001 Auction
In 2001 the car was first sold at auction. Entrepreneur Max Reid patiently held on through fierce bidding to purchase the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 used in the film GoldenEye on the 14th February 2001 at Christies.

The sale was one of more than 250 lots from all 21 Bond films, all for auction at the largest ever sale of gadgets and garments from 007 movies.

The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 was sold for £157,750 and made the Guinness book of World Records as the highest price ever paid for James Bond memorabilia at the time.

Following the sale Mr Reid said: "I think I got the Aston Martin for a bargain, a great price and I would have paid much more for it. February 14 is a big day for my wife. I had two reasons for the purchase - it's a great present for my wife and it will be wonderful publicity for my business as well. This is the first auction I have been to, but I am a big fan of James Bond."

The entrepreneur now got a great return on his investment.

All photos of the DB5 © Marc Wilmot

Land Rover Defender SVX Big Foot from SPECTRE
A 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used during the filming of SPECTRE was sold for £325,000 (€370,000 / $430,000), to the same person that just bought the Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye. The estimated sale price for this car was £220,000 - 250,000 (€250,000 - 290,000 / $290,000 - 330,000) and bidding started at £140,000.

The car with special 007 registration no. "OO07 SVX" was used during the filming of the James Bond movie SPECTRE (2015) for the scenes hat take place in Sölden, Austria. The Defender is one of ten built, based on a Defender 110 crew-cab model. Each of the 10 models was extensively modified and upgraded by Land Rover SVO (Special Vehicle Operations).

Unlike most of the other SPECTREs, which were used only for publicity purposes or not at all, this example was used extensively in the filming and still has marks on its bonnet left by the stuntmen. Unusually, it retains its mechanical handbrake and 'SVX' boot badges (most of the other vehicles had theirs removed) and also key tags identifying it as an official film car, etc. The first private owner had the pick of all ten SPECTRE Defenders and chose this one as it is the most significant.

Representing a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the most memorable' Bond' vehicles of recent times, this imposing Spectre Defender if offered with the owner's wallet containing the handbook and (blank) service booklet; current MoT certificate; UK V5C document for the most appropriate registration 'OO07 SVX'; and a framed presentation featuring movie stills, the shooting schedule, and an Austrian licence plate.

In its standard form the friendly and familiar Defender would have lacked the aura of menace required for the SPECTRE vehicles, so the ten movie cars were sent to marque specialists Bowler, a company recognised for over 30 years as market leaders in the design, engineering, and production of class-leading custom vehicles. Bowler then transformed them from standard Defender 110 crew-cab models into vehicles worthy of a Bond villain. Finished in sinister Santorini Black, the result was the SVX, or SPECTRE Defender.

The transformation's most striking element is the huge 37"-diameter all-terrain tyres, which has given the SPECTRE Defender the nickname 'Bigfoot'. Built to Bowler's racing specification, the suspension incorporates Rose joints and Bilstein rally dampers.

The interior features Recaro seats with 4-point harnesses, while the full roll cage runs both internally and externally.

The engine too has been significantly upgraded, producing 185bhp (up from the stock 120 horsepower) and 368lb/ft of torque.

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato '2 VEV'
Although the Aston Martin DB5 and the Land Rover Defender were major Bond related attractions of the auction, the most expensive star of the show was the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Registration no. 2 VEV, which sold £10,081,500 (excl. premiums) making it the most valuable British motor car ever to be offered at a European auction.

Spyscape has announced it has acquired the Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye at the recent Bonham's Goodwood Festival Of Speed sale.

The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye

The famous car sold for £2m on Friday the 13th of July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. During the auction, the auctioneer said that the Land Rover Defender from SPECTRE was purchased by the same buyer, but we weren't able to confirm this with Spyscape yet.

Spyscape is a new interactive spy museum located on 8th Avenue at 55th Street in New York City. 

Spyscape is a new interactive museum in New York

Spyscape purchased the DB5 at the Bonham's auction for ten times as much as the car fetched at a Christie's auction in 2001. The car is the third most expensive Bond vehicle sold at auction after the Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, which fetched £2.91 million in 2010 when it was sold by RM Auctions and an Aston Martin DB10 used in SPECTRE which sold for £2.4 million at the Christie’s SPECTRE auction in 2016.

Spyscape is now calling spy fans worldwide to celebrate their acquisition of the rare and iconic Aston Martin DB5 by offering the chance to drive in James Bond’s actual DB5. Spyscape will display the car in the museum, but will also take it on a tour around the world to reward people who take an online spy recruitment test and share the results on social media. The test was designed by a former head of training at MI6 to emulate aspects of the agency’s recruitment process.

The competition would be free to enter and open to people from any country, although winners may have to travel to take up the offer.

Sign up to stay informed about the competition on the Spyscape website.

At a special event at the LEGO store on Leicester Square in London, LEGO revealed its Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 model.

The model was revealed in the LEGO Flagship store at Leicester Square by Ms. Moneypenny herself (actress Naomie Harris) at precisely 10:07 London time.

The feature-packed replica of the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 has 1,290 pieces. Gadgets include a radar screen, hidden telephone, bullet proof screen and ejector seat and rotating number plates.

The LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 model also features opening doors and a detailed interior with a concealable radar tracker and door compartment with telephone.

Pull back the gearstick to reveal the front wing machine guns.

Pull back the rear bumper to eject unwelcome passengers.

Tyre slasher

The pop-up rear-window bullet shield and machine-guns emerging from the front bumper are operated by twisting the exhaust pipes at the rear of the car, or by pulling on the gear stick.

Radar screen can be hidden

Lift the bonnet to check out the straight-6 engine detailing

Raise the rear-window bulletproof screen

The arrival of an James Bond Aston Martin DB5 LEGO product has been teased by the LEGO, Aston Martin and 007 in the past weeks.

The LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 will be available in August, and available to pre-order now for LEGO VIP members only at Lego.com. The price is £129.99 / €149.99 / $149.99.

The release of the DB5 marks the first officially licensed James Bond LEGO toy. There was no information about if the collaboration will continue next year for Bond 25.

Aston Martin and EON Productions announced that 25 Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5 continuation cars will be produced.

Aston Martin DB5 and Sean Connery in Goldfinger

The 25 cars will be authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, with some sympathetic modifications to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability (a concept also used for the Aston Martin DB4 G.T. Continuation model series that was built in 2016).

A further three cars will be built – one each for EON and Aston Martin, plus another to be auctioned for charity.

Aston Martin DB5 in Thunderball

The Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5 continuation cars will include working gadgets such as revolving number plates and more, which were made famous in Goldfinger. The gadgets will be co-developed with Oscar-winner Chris Corbould, special effects supervisor from the James Bond films. Officially sanctioned by Aston Martin and EON Productions, all the Goldfinger edition cars will be produced to one specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original.

All 25 cars will be built at Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell – the original home of the DB5.

The first customer deliveries scheduled for 2020, but the car is truly a collector's item: none of the cars will be road legal, so use of the car is limited to track days and museums.

The most instantly recognisable car of all-time, the DB5 made its first appearance in the third James Bond movie, Goldfinger, alongside Sean Connery as James Bond. Laden with gadgets and armaments installed by Q Branch, the secret agent’s Aston Martin became an instant hit with moviegoers.

Aston Martin DB5 in GoldenEye

Since its seminal appearance in Goldfinger the DB5 has featured in a further six James Bond movies: Thunderball (1965), again with Connery; GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) with Pierce Brosnan and three appearances alongside Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006), SkyFall (2012) and SPECTRE (2015).

Aston Martin DB5 in Tomorrow Never Dies

Such was its popularity, the DB5’s movie debut even spawned a Corgi die-cast model, an astonishing 2.5m of which were sold in its first year of production (1965). No wonder an entire generation of children grew-up aspiring to own an Aston Martin.

Aston Martin DB5 in SkyFall

Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin, said: “The connection between Aston Martin and James Bond is something of which we are very proud and it is remarkable that the DB5 remains the definitive James Bond car after so many years. To own an Aston Martin has long been an aspiration for James Bond fans, but to own a Silver Birch DB5, complete with gadgets and built to the highest standards in the very same factory as the original James Bond cars? Well, that is surely the ultimate collectors’ fantasy. The skilled craftspeople at Aston Martin Works and the expert special effects team from the James Bond films are about to make this fantasy real for 25 very lucky customers.”

Aston Martin DB5 and Sean Connery in Goldfinger

Paul Spires, Managing Director at Aston Martin Works, added of the Goldfinger DB5 continuation editions: “The connection between Aston Martin and James Bond originated more than half a century ago. Creating 25 Goldfinger DB5 continuations and working with EON Productions and special effects supervisor, Chris Corbould, is something truly unique and a real career highlight for everyone involved here at Aston Martin Works.”

Each Goldfinger DB5 continuation car will be priced at £2.75m plus taxes. First deliveries to customers will commence in 2020.

Seven Iconic Aston Martin James Bond cars will be in central London to celebrate ‘Global James Bond Day’ this Friday, October 5th 2018.

The Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye with its own parking space at the London Film Museum, Bond in Motion Exhibition, on 21 March 2014
photo © 007.com

Aston Martin Lagonda has teamed up with EON Productions and Sky to celebrate Global James Bond Day launching a prize draw for fans, giving them a chance to win a wide screen television and Sky Q package.

Aston Martin cars are driven by James Bond in eleven of the 007 films; Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), The Living Daylights (1971), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), SkyFall (2012) and SPECTRE (2015).

Throughout Friday, four iconic Aston Martins from the 007 films, the DB10, V8 Vantage, DB5 and DBS will be driving through central London passing major landmarks and James Bond film locations. 

Aston Martin DB5 and DB10 on display during an event at Goodwood to promote the launch of the Forza Horizon 4 James Bond Car Pack, September 2018
photo © 007.com

Grab a selfie with the Die Another Day (2002) Vanquish, complete with bonnet mounted guns at Aston Martin Park Lane or hop over to Aston Martin Works’ heritage showroom on Dover Street where you will find the battle-scarred Quantum of Solace (2008) DBS.

Visit the ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition at the London Film Museum and see the DBS from Casino Royale (2006) parked outside. Inside is the largest official collection of original James Bond vehicles.

Two Aston Martin DBS cars from Quantum of Solace on display during an event at Goodwood to promote the launch of Forza Horizon 4 James Bond Car Pack, September 2018
photo © 007.com

Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule said: “The connection between James Bond and Aston Martin reaches back through the decades so we are delighted to be supporting Global James Bond Day 2018. London is the home of 007 and fans should be on the lookout for some of the most exciting cars used by James Bond this Friday 5th October.”

Hints and tips will be posted throughout Friday on the @astonmartin and @007 social media channels, giving clues on the location of the cars, which will all bear decals to show they are Global James Bond Day cars. Photographs from the day should be posted on all social media channels, using the hashtags #JamesBondDay and #BondInMotion.

To be in with a chance of the a year-long Sky Q package and a 55” Ultra High Definition TV, please visit www.bondcompetition.co.uk.

Spyscape, the experiential spy museum in New York, EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM) have now officially announced that they will collaborate to launch a new 007 exhibition at the SPYSCAPE headquarters in New York.

Opening in early 2019, this will be the first official James Bond experience ever held in New York City.

SPYSCAPE's 60,000 square foot HQ in midtown Manhattan is open every day for would be secret agents to discover their Spy Role and receive their own personalized Spy Profile developed by top psychologists and a former Head of Training for British Intelligence.

See an impression of SPYSCAPE (photos: Scott Frances for SPYSCAPE):

In July this year, SPYSCAPE announced that it had acquired the Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye at the Bonham's Goodwood Festival Of Speed sale.

The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye

The famous car sold for £2m on Friday the 13th of July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. SPYSCAPE purchased the DB5 at the Bonham's auction for ten times as much as the car fetched at a Christie's auction in 2001. The car is the third most expensive Bond vehicle sold at auction after the Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, which fetched £2.91 million in 2010 when it was sold by RM Auctions and an Aston Martin DB10 used in SPECTRE which sold for £2.4 million at the Christie’s SPECTRE auction in 2016.

SPYSCAPE will display the car in the museum, but will also take it on a tour around the world to reward people who take an online spy recruitment test and share the results on social media. The test was designed by a former head of training at MI6 to emulate aspects of the agency’s recruitment process.

Sign up to stay informed and gain early acces at SPYSCAPE website.

Set out on a mission to discover the LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 one of the world’s most famous vehicles.

The model was revealed in July 2019 in the LEGO Flagship store at Leicester Square by Ms. Moneypenny herself (actress Naomie Harris).

This gadget-laden set is available in select LEGO stores, and online at Amazon (USA, UK and Germany / EU), eBay and at Harrods.com.

Open the doors and you'll find an elaborate interior with a concealable radar tracker and a door compartment with telephone.

Other options include revolving number plates, raising the rear-window bulletproof screen, deploying the wheel-mounted tyre scythes and pulling back the gearstick to reveal the front wing machine guns. And of course a working passenger ejector seat!

A detailed straight-6 engine, drum-lacquered silver front and rear bumpers, front and rear Aston Martin logos and moulded silver-coloured wire wheel rim inserts add the finishing touches to this unique model, the first LEGO / James Bond partnership.

An Aston Martin DB5 James Bond 007 tribute model car in 1:1 scale is currently offered for sale on eBay.

The asking price is $165,000 (approx £130,000 or €145,000).

The Q Car, a full scale Aston Martin DB5 model, now on offer at eBay, see the original listing here

This hand made full-size model Aston Martin DB5 movie tribute car from the film Goldfinger is supporting many original parts and working gadgets. The car rolls and steers, and has a 110v plug and remote control to run the gadgets.

The model has been on display at several locations and events, including the 2016 Aston Martin Vancouver debut of the DB11, the 2016 Luxury Supercar weekend with Aston Martin, 2016 SEMA Show, Aston Martin Beverly Hills, Aston Martin Vancouver and  the Pacific Rim Fairmount Vancouver hotel.

The model, named The Q Car, was developed by car builder, motorcycle racer and customizer Olivier Spilborghs ("Q") in Vancouver, Canada. When he grew up, he saw one of the original 4 original Aston Martins used in Goldfinger in West Vancouver, where it was on display at Frank Baker’s restaurant The Attic for 13 years. This car switched hands a few times after that and is now owned by and displayed at the Louman Museum in The Netherlands.

A few years ago, inspired by his childhood memories of the car, he decided to create his own DB5 tribute car.

The Q Car took 5 years to build and search all the parts. The gadgets are handmade, and work either via switches or a custom remote control.

Working gadgets include:

- Retractable front machine guns with flashing stobes as “gun fire”

- Rear rotating plate that continues to show all 3 different plates

- Rear smoke screen

- Rear bullit screen

- GPS map with flashing light

- Tail light opens with oil slick nozzle

- Door panel pocket with phone

- Both rear spinners come out “tire slashers”

- Removable ejection roof section

- Centre console with gadget controls

- Timer controlled 007 hologram from door sides to floor

- Remote control runs all gadgets

The model is currently being re-painted and getting upgrades and will be available for delivery in March 2019.

Q is already working on a running DB5 car now, based on a real DB5, but with the added gadgets. We can't wait to see the result which will hopefully be done before the release of Bond 25.

Visit eBay for more information and photos of The Q Car DB5, or to make an offer. And follow the Q Car on Instagram at @theqcar for updates on the new DB5 project.

In a coordinated social media post, the LEGO, Aston Martin and 007 Twitter accounts basically revealed that there finally will be an officially licenced LEGO 007 set.

This is what the Twitter conversation said:

@LEGO_Group:
We’ve been thinking about creating a special Secret (Service) model that could help an agent out in a tricky situation. Any ideas? @astonmartin #LicenceToBuild

@astonmartin:
We may have a few ideas for what the special model could be… :) #LicenceToBuild

@007:
Licence to build is authorised #LicenceToBuild

From the conversation it's not clear if it will be a one-off model (most likely an Aston Martin DB5, perhaps a large LEGO Technic model with many working gadgets), or if this will be the beginning of a long lasting deal with many 007 branded models, characters and sets, similar to the Star Wars, Jurassic World, Superheroes and Harry Potter series.

Fans have been asking for official LEGO 007 models for years and of course have been very creative in creating their own Bond cars and characters from LEGO, sometimes including detailed instructions.

The possibilities for the LEGO 007 products are endless, and even an animated TV series or at least an appearance of a James Bond character in a LEGO movie or episode are potential ideas.

There might be tie-ins with Bond 25 which will be released at the end of 2019, but we would not be surprised if the first 007 LEGO model(s) will be available at Christmas 2018, if not earlier. Stay tuned at Bond Lifestyle for more news.

Great news for LEGO and Bond fans: according to the latest rumours, LEGO will release its LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 in August 2018.

The arrival of an James Bond Aston Martin DB5 LEGO product has been teased by the LEGO, Aston Martin and 007 in the past weeks.

A Facebook Event suggests the new LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 will be unveiled on July 18, 2018 at 10:07 AM at a special event at the LEGO Store Leicester Square, London.

Thanks to calendars and pre-order pages in LEGO stores in Hungary and Italy, it seems to be certain that the LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 will be released in August, and available to pre-order from August 1, 2018. The price is probably set around £135 / €150 / $175 (but this is not confirmed and the exact price might be different per region). This would make it one of the more expensive and therefor probably more detailed and larger Creator Expert models.

The Creator Expert models are classified for 16 years and older. Other cars were previously released under the Creator Expert brand of LEGO, for example a Ferrari F40 (not produced anymore), a blue Volkswagen Beetle and red Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, a green Mini and a London double-decker bus. These models give an indication of what we can expect from the DB5. Probably (hopefully) a lot of moving parts, opening doors, working gadgets. 

Several buildings were also released under the Creator Expert brand, including the London Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

The release of the DB5 will mark the first officially licensed James Bond LEGO toy but it might also be the last, since LEGO understandably stays away from real weapons and war toys. But it is still possible that the collaboration will continue next year for Bond 25, perhaps if the DB5 turns out to be a massive success.

Stay tuned on Bond Lifestyle for more news about the LEGO Creator Expert 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5.