Want a new Aston Martin DB5?

The Aston Martin DB5 is one of most sought-after cars in the world. Which is odd, because by all accounts, it’s not a particularly good car. But it’s famous.

How is it famous? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know it was (for a number of films) the car of choice for Bond. James Bond. 007. 

Aston and Bond became synonymous and even though Lotus and BMW pushed their way in with a load of cash, Aston stuck. The DB5 debuted in Goldfinger (1964), with Sean Connery behind the wheel. The film also gave us Pussy Galore and Odd Job. And a million jokes for Austin Powers.

“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,” said Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda.

Never a company to miss a trick, Aston last year built a run of DB4s, called the Continuation project. Everyone is getting into it, including Jaguar. With values of DB5s climbing ever upwards, the company is taking the opportunity to build a few more. And make a stack of cash, which is fair enough – beautiful things cost money.

DB5 Continuation Project.

The cars will look as they did in Goldfinger, finished in the iconic Silver Birch paint. Do not ask for another colour, you will not get it.

The work to build the new cars is down to Aston Martin Works, based at the company’s spiritual home of Newport Pagnell. Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre straight six with 210kW (286PS) and 380Nm.

Aston reckons it will crack 98km/h (60mph) in 7.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 235km/h (148mph).

Perhaps less impressively, EON’s involvement includes Chris Cobould, a special effects supervisor on eight Bond movies. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but…well…the car will have a series of…gadgets. Don’t blame me, it’s in the press release.

I reckon that sounds really naff, but hey, I’m an old stick in the mud.

Remember how I said there’s a problem? There are actually two.

First, the cars will each cost a staggering £2.75m. Not even going to convert that to other currencies. Second, they’re not road legal. So you can have a brand-spanking new DB5, you just won’t be able to drive it on the road.

The lucky loaded customers will get their hands on the cars in 2020. Hopefully we’ll see a few pics during the build and hope that most of the owners delete the…gadgets…

Except for the flipping number plate. Why? Oh, no reason…

UPDATE: I asked Andy Palmer if you can delete the gadgets:

I guess so – not a question I was expecting though!

— Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) August 20, 2018

That’s more like it.

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