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1965 Aston Martin James Bond DB5 nets record $6.4 million at auction

Remember we told you how an original James Bond-spec Aston Martin DB5, used as a promotional vehicle for the 1965 Bond film “Thunderball,” was headed to auction? The one equipped with gadgets including a bulletproof rear glass shield, smoke screen and so forth? Well, the car just sold at RM SothebyÂ’s “Evening with Aston Martin” sale at Monterey for a final, record-shattering price of $6.385 million. ThatÂ’s after receiving an initial estimate of $4 million to $6 million. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 'Goldfinger'-spec View 30 Photos Also at Monterey, a DB5 Shooting Brake from the same model year, though not equipped with James Bond gadgetry, auctioned for a cool $1.765 million. It was one of just 12 ever built, and among only four built with a left-hand drive. It was expected to fetch $1 million to $1.4 million, so it was a good week for Aston, old chap. The Bond car was one of two 1965 DB5s commissioned by Eon Productions, the British film company, and used as promotions for “Thunderball.” Neither were used on screen, but they received all the gadgets from the film, installed by Aston Martin and built to actually be used and be reliable. In addition to the gadgets mentioned above, there are bumper overriders, front guns (!) and an oil slick dispenser, plus toggle switches, weapon drawer and tracking screen. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake View 20 Photos RM SothebyÂ’s had previously sold the car in 2006 for $2.09 milling, but it then went through a complete restoration, including the gadgets, that was completed in 2012. Aston Martin last year announced it would be building continuation versions of the Bond 1965 DB5.  

Robert Plant’s 1965 Aston Martin DB5 is for sale

It was made famous by James Bond in the 1964 film "Goldfinger," and this particular version was given its lived-in quality by the frontman of one of rock-and-roll's biggest bands. Now you, too, can own the Aston Martin DB5 likely driven to Bron-Yr-Aur and across the land of the ice and snow by none other than Robert Plant. The website Classic Driver is offering the 1965 DB5 coupe owned by Plant, who is most famous as the former lead singer of hard rock titans Led Zeppelin, from the early 1970s until 1986, when he sold it to father and son collectors based in England. Painted in Dubonnet Rose, the four-seater GT has 62,400 miles on it, a tan leather interior and what must be many, many untold stories of rock-and-roll excess. The DB5, which updated the DB4, had an all-aluminum 4.0-liter, DOHC straight-six engine that made 285 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque mated to a full synchromesh ZF five-speed gearbox. It also featured three SU carburetors, twin hydraulic brake servos, Girling disc brakes and the early use of electric windows. It became famous as James Bond's third but most recognizable card, with a prototype version full of gadgets used by Sean Connery in "Goldfinger," and the car re-appearing in several subsequent Bond movies and with different actors. This particular DB5 was restored by Aston Martin agents Chapman Spooner shortly after Plant sold it in 1986, and the car was entered into a number of Aston Martin Owners Club events during the '80s. The current owner bought it in 2008 from Nicholas Mee & Co., used it very sparingly and kept the car in a controlled environment. Given the lore that surrounded Led Zeppelin in its heady '70s rock-juggernaut days, it's remarkable that the car survived intact as well as it apparently has. The DB5 was apparently a popular one among British rock royalty of the era, as Bonhams Bond Street just sold a '64 version previously owned by Paul McCartney for $1.8 million.Related Video: Featured Gallery Robert Plant's 1965 Aston Martin DB5 View 15 Photos Image Credit: Nicholas Mee & Co Ltd Aston Martin Automotive History Coupe Luxury Classics famous cars aston martin db5

Has Aston Martin abandoned plans for a Lagonda SUV?

Aston Martin may possibly (hopefully?) axe plans for a Lagonda-badged SUV, according to a new report from the blokes at Piston Heads. If this is true, it'd serve as proof that the auto gods are good, and want us to be happy. The report is based on statements made by Director of Design Marek Reichman. "We still have plans for the brand. There might be some surprises in the marque's re-establishment into the market place, but as a very unique coachbuilt experience. And that's probably what's most befitting of the brand," Reichman told PH when asked about the Lagonda SUV, which debuted way back in 2009. "That was a different time [when the Lagonda debuted]," Reichman continued. "It was [Dr. Ulrich Bez's] time. And now we're in a very, very different time, with a different plan and with a different projection of what that brand should become." Considering the spy shots we've already seen (inset), PH's conclusion that the Lagonda brand would be reborn as an ultra-exclusive sedan doesn't seem far off. As for the rumors that AM would look to Mercedes-Benz for its SUV architecture, well, it's not looking so good any more. What do you think? Should Aston Martin launch a sedan above the Rapide? What would you expect in terms of price and performance? Let us know in Comments.