Chapter 1 : Aston Martin the James Bond Car : DB5

The history of the first James Bond car is not straight forward. Obviously more than one car was used for the film and the general meaning of“the James Bond Aston Martin DB5” should be commented, or at the very least, clarified.

Goldfinger, the third James Bond film, film was released on the 17^th September 1964 at the Odeon Leicester square, in London. The “Golfdinger” armoured vehicles appeared in the middle of more than 5,000 excited people, in the middle of which stood the eye-catching Honor Blackham.

Despite all the action, suspense, and glamourous characters, The James Bond Car became the most iconic of all.

For the next five years the DB5 toured the world. A dedicated team from Pinewood, Aston Martin company & Gorgi toys managed the marketing tour with the Aston Martin.

Was this Aston Martin a DB5 or not?

In Ian Fleming’s novel, James bond used a Bentley super-charged, but later in the Goldfinger novel he borrowed an Aston Martin DB MK III.

When in 1963 the film production stated the DB MK III was not a brand new car, then Eon Production approached Aston Martin’s General Manger to use one of their current cars in the movie. Several meeting were needed to find an agreement between the strong demands from Eon Production and Aston Martin. But at that time (early 64) the DB5 was not in production quite yet - only the DB4 was - so it was decided to use the “Development Project DP216/1".

This DP216/1 was in fact a DB4 Vantage Series 5, modified to become the DB5 prototype. We can therefore say the first James Bond car was a DB4. The story repeated itself later with the DBS used in the Persuaders. So now the DB4 became a DB5, which was subsequently morphed by Q to become the James Bond car we all know.

follow us next blog - references to Dave WORRALL for his book "The most famous car in the World"