The first new Aston Martin DB5 in 55 years has rolled off the production. This ‘Job 1’ car is part of a new batch of DB5 Goldfinger continuation cars that are in production. In conjunction with EON Production, the company owned by the Broccoli and Wilson family behind the whole James Bond franchise, Aston Martin is creating a limited production run of 25 examples of the DB5 in proper spy spec, just as Q would have approved.
It’s a painstaking process that takes the craftspeople in Aston Martin Works department around 4,500 hours to complete, with each car built to the exact spec of the originals and all come finished in that distinctive Silver Birch paint. To help with the gadgetry, Aston Martin brought in special effects supervisor Chris Corbould OBE, who has worked on almost every James Bond movie.
Every detail has been meticulously recreated, right down to the BMT 216A registrations plate. That is until you flick a switch and the plates rotate to reveal a different identity to the car, and there are three plates front and rear. Helping owners avoid capture by the bad guys, there are numerous devices on hand, such as a bullet resistant rear shield, front and rear battering rams and a simulated tyre slasher. Replica machine guns pop out from the front indicators and to aid a proper getaway the back end can deploy a mock oil slick and rear smoke screen.
All of these features are controllable via a panel that is hidden discreetly under the centre armrest. Even the toggle switches look period-correct for a 1960s spy film. The car’s interior is beautifully appointed using the finest materials, and at first glance, nothing seems out of the ordinary. That is until you flick open the top of the gear shifter to reveal a trigger button. A (proper) telephone can be found in the driver’s door, and behind the centre console panel, there is a replica radar screen tracker map to help you zone in on the target. There’s even a removable roof panel over the front passenger seat for you know what…
These are no mere show cars either. Underneath the aluminium body panels is an authentic DS5 mild steel chassis. It’s powered by 4.0-litre straight six complete with three SU carburettors and an oil cooler producing a power output of 290bhp. The drive goes to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox from ZF and Aston also fits a limited slip differential. Keeping within the period, the rack and pinion steering is unassisted, and the suspension consists of coil over spring and dampers with an anti-roll bar up front, while the rear is a live axle with radius arms and Watt’s linkage. The brakes are servo-assisted Girling-type steel discs.
Aston Martin Lagonda’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said: “The DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association with James Bond. To see the first customer car finished, and realise that this is the first new DB5 we have built in more than half a century, really is quite a moment.
“It is a genuine privilege, and significant responsibility, to have been involved in the shaping of this new DB5 and to be helping to lead the creation of new versions of this automotive icon. I’m absolutely certain that the 25 lucky owners who are beginning to take delivery of these cars will be thrilled with them.”
Sadly, you’re not likely to see one of these fantastic recreations driving on the road as due to the nature of them, the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars aren’t road legal, despite the £3.3 million price tag. All 25 have been sold and are due to be delivered during the rest of 2020.
Keyword: First Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger continuation car rolls off the line