Hear the name James Bond, and what do you think of? No doubt the secret agent’s favourite tipple, the vodka martini – shaken not stirred – and probably also the iconic Aston Martin which has featured in 11 films spanning 50 years.
This June, Englefield Estate will host the vehicle that helped to create one of the most memorable car chases in the entire Bond film franchise: with 007 (Pierce Brosnan) behind the wheel, the Aston Martin DB5 featured in the opening scene of 1995 film GoldenEye chasing villainess Xenia Onatopp in her Ferrari F355 around the balmy Monaco hills. Onatopp was subsequently seduced by the Bond – the art of seduction being the other thing synonymous with the spy.
Dubbed “the ultimate Bond car”, the silver 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon will be on display as part of the Bonhams Aston Martin sale at Englefield House on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd, which will also feature around 40 of its luxury Lagonda range.
The event is the last time the car will be exhibited in public before being offered at auction at Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13th where it is expected to fetch between £1.2m and £1.6m.
After its starring role in GoldenEye, the car, which has a sleek black leather interior and is capable of speeds up to 150mph, was purchased by the current owner at a James Bond auction in 2001, becoming the most valuable piece of Bond memorabilia ever sold. It has since been on display at both The National Motor Museum and the Bond in Motion exhibition at Covent Garden.
Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams Motor Cars Department Director, said: “The DB5 is one of the most recognisable and desirable British classic cars in the world – it is also the ultimate Bond car.
“Every fan remembers Pierce Brosnan tearing through the hills in this car, and it must be up there as one of the most thrilling Bond car chases in history. This Aston Martin is something very special indeed.”
Peter Carson, House and Events Manager at the Englefield Estate, said: “The Aston Martin DB5 is an iconic British vehicle and helped make one of the most exciting scenes in the Bond film series even more memorable. It will be a pleasure to host this British treasure at the Estate.”
Find out more about the 19th annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale at Englefield House here.