THE INCUBATOR: ASTON MARTIN
HQ IN WARWICKSHIRE, ENGLAND;
ASTON MARTIN ARCHIVES
A few years earlier, the DB4 was a groundbreaking model for
AM—and the luxury market took notice. An advertisement by AM
described the car this way:
“This car has a nature like an angel. So responsive you can
accelerate from zero to 100mph and back in under twenty-five
seconds. So docile and forgiving, your control and mastery of
every situation is supreme.”
Again, there were more promotional stunts and the PR was
invaluable: Two DB5 prototypes were unveiled at 1964s New
which proved to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in media
and consumer awareness, while the DB5 plays only a cameo role.
(Brosnan owns a silver Aston Martin Vanquish.) However, AM
returned with its Vanquish in 2002’s Die Another Day, the ejector
seat making its triumphant comeback and introducing cannons
under the chassis.
What became of the four “most famous cars in the world” used in
Goldfinger? Today, the star car remains MIA. (In 1997 it was stolen
from its owner’s airplane hangar in Florida, unceremoniously
dragged out with a chain attached to its axle, leaving thick skid
What became of the Aston Martin DB5—“the most famous car in the world”—
used in Goldfinger? In 1997, it was stolen from its owner’s airplane hangar in
Florida, unceremoniously dragged out with a chain attached to its axle, leaving
thick skid marks on the cement, and has not been seen since; it is reportedly
worth over 5 million dollars.
York World’s Fair (four were made for the film) and people began
dubbing it “the most famous car in the world.” Sales soared by an
astounding 50%. In the follow-up movie, Thunderball, the car reappeared. Of course, every kid in the world had to have the toy car
version released that Christmas; it became an instant best seller.
However, as Swinging Sixties London gave way to a more gimmicky
and somber seventies, the new Bond (Roger Moore) ditched Aston
for the bulkier Lotus Espirits. The next Bond, however, (Timothy
Dalton) wanted Aston back: a V8 Vantage that turns into a charcoal
grey V8 Volante, replete with laser-beams in the wheels, retractable
skis, rocket launchers behind the fog-lights and a jet engine for
warp speed.
Bond and Aston parted company for the next six years—at
least in a starring role. In 1995’s Tomorrow Never Dies, Pierce
Brosnan’s 007 is seen driving BMWs in a product placement coup
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marks on the cement, and has not been seen since; it is reportedly
worth over 5 million dollars). The stunt car is owned by Jerry Lee,
rarely emerging from his home’s custom James Bond Wing. One
of the standee cars is in the Dutch National Motor Museum in
Holland, where it’s been for many years. And, finally, a mysterious
Swiss businessman who, in proper spy movie parlance, has asked
to remain anonymous, owns the other standee car.
BROWN, DAVID BROWN
In 1947, Britain was still rebuilding its cities and no one was focused
on the triviality of owning a luxury sports car. That year, an advert
appeared in the London T