1965. That’s when Aston Martin ended production of the original DB5. 55 years later, the grand tourer has once again rolled off the assembly line, with the same jaw-dropping design while packing a bevy of toys. That’s because the continuation car is a tribute to the DB5 driven by MI6 agent James Bond played by Sean Connery in the 1964 movie Goldfinger.
For a car that costs £2.75 million (about $3.43M) before taxes, you can imagine a lot of work has been invested in developing the “new” DB5 and integrating 007’s gadgets. Finished in Silver Birch much like the original, the continuation car took roughly 4,500 hours to complete in order to implement the “meticulously detailed authentic reproductions” as seen in the movie car.
From the faux dual machine guns at the front to a functional smoke screen delivery system at the back, the DB5 is chock-full of James Bond goodies. It even has a removable roof panel on the passenger side, but that’s an optional feature, even on a car carrying such an exorbitant price tag. The revolving license plate is functional at the front and rear and actually has triple plates, while battering rams have been embedded into both ends of the car.
The list of trinkets installed on the outside in the DB5 Goldfinger continuation car is rounded off by a simulated tire slasher as well as a simulated oil slick delivery system at the back where Aston Martin has also installed a bullet-resistant window. Once you’re inside, the 007 vibe is enhanced by the fake radar screen tracker map and a telephone mounted in the driver’s door.
The cabin has been subjected to additional changes to mirror James Bond’s ride by installing a remote control panel for the gadgets while inserting an actuator button at the top of the gear knob. There’s also a storage tray underneath the seat for “weapons,” along with custom switchgear once you open the central armrest.
Power is provided by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter inline-six engine good for 290 hp channeled to the rear axle through a five-speed ZF manual gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The DB5 Goldfinger continuation car boasts the original design of the car with aluminum body panels combined with a “mild steel chassis.” Aston Martin mentions “some sympathetic modifications and enhancements” have been made to “ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability.”
Customer deliveries have already kicked off and will continue later this year as part of a production run limited to 25 examples.
