James Bond wouldn't be the international super-spy that he is without a luxury sports car on the side to take him wherever he needs to go on.
Now, fans of the thriller movie franchise have the chance to get their very own James Bond Aston Martin once owned by Sir Sean Connery. The family of the high-profile actor, who died in October 2020 aged 90, is selling the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 at auction.
The DB5, which is expected to fetch up to £1.4 million at auction, has become synonymous with the Bond franchise and has been listed as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" as it's the only car personally owned by Sir Connery. The winning bidder will also get a personal drive in the car from World Championship racer Sir Jackie Steward, a life-long friend of the actor.
Read more:
Sir Connery's son, Jason said: "Dad used to talk about owning his own DB5, for no other reason than he loved the car, and I think in hindsight it did represent something in his life that was unique and captured a moment in time. He did tell me that driving the movie cars, all laden down with the gadgets, especially the machine guns in the front, made the car really front-heavy and turning at slow speed was a Herculean task, so driving without gadgets was a joy.
"He loved how well balanced it was. Dad also said he would have kept the ejector seat. I didn’t ask, ‘Who for?'”
Sir Connery bought the car from a specialist and sent it to be repainted in the traditional Bond colour of snow shadow grey. Senior car specialist and family friend Barney Ruprecht said helping the actor with the car was "one of the most enjoyable memories".
He added: “His brief to me was find the best example possible. He was fastidious in everything he researched and acquired. This was no exception and after many months of searching, we settled on this example.
“Sitting behind the wheel of Sir Sean’s personal DB5 is like stepping into the shoes of the legend himself and for an enthusiast of the legendary actor and film franchise such as myself, nothing compares.”
Click here for the latest headlines from the Manchester Evening News
