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‘Barn find’ James Bond car for sale

publication date: May 17, 2010
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An Aston Martin DB4
A RECENTLY-DISCOVERED Aston Martin DB4, built in 1962 and used as a test car by James Bond special effects designers for the classic film Goldfinger, is to go up for auction on 22 May. The Aston was used as a ‘test mule’ during filming at Pinewood Studios and was measured for the various gadgets – including an ejector seat and machine guns – that would feature on the silver DB5 driven by Sean Connery in the film.

Incredibly, this valuable car was consigned to a garage in 1974 where it has remained until now. It is estimated it will fetch £40,000 to 50,000 at the dedicated Aston Martin sale organised by British auction house Bonhams. Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art, antiques and specialist collectors items.
Aston Martin in action for James Bond

As part of the same auction, a 1976 Aston Martin V8 Coupé used during the filming of 1987 Bond epic The Living Daylights starring Timothy Dalton is also on offer. The car has appeared at numerous motor shows and James Bond events around the world, including a stint at The Bond Museum in Cumbria. Many fans consider The Living Daylights Aston Martin V8 to be one of the best Bond vehicles, with its skis, rockets, bullet-proof screen and jet propulsion.

The V8 is estimated to fetch £40,000 to 60,000 at auction. However, such is the appetite for 007 memorabilia that neither car will challenge the record bid for a Bond-style car. That was set in 2006, when a silver 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe was sold for over $2 million at auction to a private collector eager to own what’s been described as the most famous car in the world.

For more information on the Aston Martin auction, visit the Bonhams website at www.bonhams.com/eur/cars


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