Aston Martin DB5: James Bond’s 007 Car, Specs, History and Price

The 007 Aston Martin DB5 is the car James Bond made famous in Goldfinger. This guide covers its history, specs, the Bond films it appeared in, the gadgets and what a DB5 costs today.

The Aston Martin DB5 is a British grand tourer built from 1963 to 1965. 

Most people know it from the James Bond films. However, there is more to this car than spies and gadgets.

We look at its history, its speed and its Bond connection. 

We also cover what an Aston Martin DB5 costs today, with pointers to Hagerty values and auction results.

The History of the Aston Martin DB5

The story begins in the early 1960s. The car maker, Aston Martin, wanted to build something new. They wanted a car that was fast and beautiful. Therefore, they created the DB5. It was an upgrade from the older DB4 model.

When Was It Born?

The Aston Martin DB5 1964 model is the most famous version. However, the car first appeared in 1963. The company built it in the United Kingdom. But, the design actually came from Italy. A famous company called Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera designed the body.

Why Is It Special?

The design was unique. To clarify, the builders used a special method. They used lightweight aluminum panels. Then, they placed these panels over a steel frame. 

As a result, the car was light but strong. This method is called “Superleggera,” which means “super light.” As a result, the Aston Martin DB5 cars were faster than many others on the road.

James Bond Aston Martin: A Perfect Match

You cannot talk about this car without mentioning 007. The James Bond Aston Martin partnership is legendary. It started a long time ago. It changed how people viewed cars in movies.

The Goldfinger Connection

In 1964, the movie Goldfinger came out. In this film, James Bond drove the DB5. But this was not a normal car. The special effects team added amazing gadgets. For example, it had machine guns hidden in the lights. It also had a shield to stop bullets.

Most importantly, it had an ejector seat. If a bad guy sat in the passenger seat, Bond could push a button. Then, the roof would open, and the seat would fly out. This scene became famous instantly. Therefore, every child wanted a toy DB5 Aston Martin.

The Skyfall Car

The car did not disappear after the 1960s. It came back many times. Specifically, it returned in the movie Skyfall. The Skyfall car represents Bond’s history. 

In the movie, Bond uses the car to escape danger, and it is destroyed in the finale. A rebuilt car appears again in Spectre. Fans still call it the best-known spy car.

007 Aston Martin DB5: Every Bond Film Appearance

Searchers often ask which films feature the 007 Aston Martin DB5. According to Wikipedia, the DB5 appears in the Bond series as follows:

• Goldfinger (1964): the first Bond drive, with the gadgets.
• Thunderball: the same car returns a year later.
• GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Bond’s personal DB5.
• Casino Royale (2006): a left-hand-drive car owned by the villain.
• Skyfall: a silver-birch DB5 is destroyed in the finale.
• Spectre (2015): the Skyfall car appears rebuilt.
• No Time to Die: replica stunt cars were built.

Design and Features of the DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 is a grand tourer. This means it is built for long drives. It is comfortable and stylish. Let’s look at what makes it look so good.

Exterior Beauty

First of all, look at the front. It has distinct headlights that slope back. In addition, the grille on the front is iconic. The shape of the car is smooth. The lines flow from the front to the back like water. As a result, it looks like it is moving even when it is parked.

Interior Luxury

On the inside, the car is very fancy. The seats are leather and the dashboard has many dials and switches. 

In other words, it feels like a cockpit.

Under the Hood: Engine and Speed

A spy needs a fast car. Luckily, the DB5 Aston Martin delivers plenty of power. Let’s break down the numbers in a simple way.

The Engine Power

The car has a 4.0-liter engine. This engine has six cylinders. Think of cylinders as the muscles of the car. More muscles mean more power. As a result, the DB5 engine produces 282 horsepower. For the 1960s, this was very strong. A Vantage version made 325 bhp, and Wikipedia lists 65 Vantage coupes.

How Fast Is It?

You might wonder about the speed. Period figures put 0 to 60 miles per hour at about 8 seconds and top speed at roughly 145 miles per hour. Today, modern cars are faster. However, in 1964, the Aston Martin DB5 was a rocket.

Feature	Specification
Engine Type	4.0-Liter Inline 6
Horsepower	282 bhp
Top Speed	145 mph (233 km/h)
0-60 mph	8.1 Seconds
Weight	1,502 kg
Transmission	5-speed manual

Aston Martin DB5 for Sale: Buying One Today

Do you want to buy one? Well, you need a lot of money. Finding an Aston Martin DB5 for sale is very difficult. Aston Martin built 1,059 of them originally, including 123 convertibles and 13 shooting brakes (Wikipedia).

Current Market Value

The Aston Martin DB5 price is huge. We could not confirm a current Hagerty figure for 2026, so check the valuation tool and recent auction results before you buy or sell.

The Price of Fame

If the car was in a movie, the price explodes. Specifically, a 1965 DB5 Bond promotional car with working gadgets sold for $6,385,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2019. Therefore, only rich collectors can buy them. Most people just buy the Lego version instead.

The DB5 Goldfinger Continuation

Aston Martin knows people love this car. So, they did something crazy. Starting in 2020, they built “new” old cars with EON Productions, the Bond film producer. They call these the “Goldfinger Continuation” cars.

Building History Again

The factory built 25 new Aston Martin DB5 cars. They closely follow the original 1964 car, with some modern updates. But, there is a twist. These new cars have spy gadgets too.

Real Gadgets

Aston Martin lists 14 gadgets in total, eight outside and six inside. Examples are a rear smoke screen, revolving number plates, battering rams and a telephone in the driver’s door. Special effects supervisor Chris Corbould helped develop them. The cars are not road legal, and each was priced at about £2.75 million plus taxes.

Why We Still Love the DB5 Aston Martin 007

Why do we care about an old car? There are many faster cars today. There are many safer cars today. Yet, the DB5 Aston Martin 007 remains a favorite.

It Represents Style

First, it represents “cool.” James Bond is cool. Therefore, his car is cool. It shows that you have good taste. It is not loud or flashy like a bright yellow sports car. Instead, it is elegant.

It Is Rare

Second, rarity makes things special. Only 1,059 were built, so you do not see them often.

Restoring the Legend

Since these cars are old, they break. Fixing them takes time. This process is called restoration.

The Work Involved

Mechanics must take the car apart completely. They fix the rust. They paint the body. Then, they fix the engine. A full restoration can take a year or more.

As a result, maintaining these cars is a hobby. Owners treat them like their children. They keep them in safe garages. They only drive them on sunny days.

Conclusion

The bottom line: the Aston Martin DB5 is a true icon. It combines British engineering with Italian design. , the James Bond Aston Martin connection makes it immortal. From the Aston Martin DB5 1964 to the modern Continuation models, it captures our hearts.

The Aston Martin DB5 price is high, but the legacy is free for everyone to enjoy. Whether you call it the Skyfall car or just the DB5, it is one of the most recognizable cars ever built.

FAQs

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Sources

• Hagerty valuation tool: Aston Martin DB5
• RM Sotheby’s: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Bond promotional car (2019)
• Aston Martin: DB5 Goldfinger Continuation