James Bond's Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5

JAMES BOND’S LEGENDARY ASTON MARTIN DB5
STAR OF RM AUCTIONS’ 2006 ARIZONA SALE

BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (November 16, 2005) – RM Auctions returns to Phoenix, Arizona on January 20th, 2006 for the 7th Annual Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona auction with three extraordinary “celebrity” automobiles from the Smoky Mountain Car Museum of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The single-day event, known for offering some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, will kick off the collector car season with some of the world’s most legendary and historically significant automobiles.

Leading the star line-up is the internationally famous 1964 Aston Martin DB5 “The James Bond Car” - Chassis no. DB5/2008/R, the unofficial star of "Thunderball" and "Goldfinger", will be offered for sale for the first time in 35 years.

The James Bond Car

Formerly the property of Sir Anthony Bamford, the Aston Martin is one of several celebrity cars offered from the Tennessee museum where it has been on display since the late 1970. Complete with all the exciting spy features, the Aston is one of only four cars originally constructed and used for film, tour and promotional use. This specific example was primarily used for promotion during the movie’s release in the mid-sixties.

Some of the special James Bond options include: Front and rear hydraulic over-rider rams on bumpers; Front firing .30 caliber Browning machine guns powered by trunk mounted oxy/acetylene system; Wheel mounted tire slasher; Retractable rear bullet-proof screen; Radio telephone concealed in secret compartment; Radar scanner in racing type wing mirror with tracking screen in the cockpit; Passenger ejector seat - with removable roof panel (seat since replaced with standard seat); Oil slick ejector from left side rear light cluster; Triple spiked nails (calthrops) from the right side rear light cluster; Smoke screen released through separate rear system - located next to rear exhaust; Revolving number plates (3) featuring licenses YRE 186H, 007JB and JB007 on black; Armaments drawer under front driver seat.

The Aston Martin DB5

It is one of only three examples that exist today and remains in completely original, low mileage condition. Its occasion for sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire what is widely considered to be the most famous car of all time. (Est. $1,500,000 - $2,500,000)

Al Capone’s 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan

RM won’t refuse any offer for Al Capone’s 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan, Model 501, Series 341 A. Used for personal transportation around his Illinois empire, this specially constructed example was originally fitted with ¼-inch thick boilerplate panels in the body, floors, roof and surrounding the fuel tank and engine area. Its windshield and windows are equipped with one inch thick bulletproof glass and the rear window is specially hinged to slide down into the bodywork to allow Capone’s associates to thwart pursuers by any means necessary. With these modifications, the car originally weighed in at a generous 8,000 pounds.

Cleverly disguised, the Cadillac is painted in the same colors as the Chicago police cars of the era and features an authentic police siren and flashing light. It is even said to have been used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt after it was confiscated by the U.S. Treasury Department in 1932. On display in museums since 1933 in England, Canada and the U.S., this historically significant auto is offered for sale from the Smoky Mountain Car Museum where it was prominently featured since the early seventies.

Predating the ingenuity of 007’s Aston Martin by 37 years, this Cadillac represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most historically significant pre-war American built cars of its time as it is not only fully documented with a continuous chain of ownership from new but also one of the only genuine surviving Al Capone owned and customized cars in existence.
Offered Without Reserve (Est. $750,000 - $1,000,000)

Hank Williams Jr.’s 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible

If your heroes are cowboys, Hank Williams Jr.’s 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible should fit the bill. Adorned with 517 silver dollars, 15 silver horseshoes, 12 large and six small six shooters, three rifles and 17 silver horse heads, it would be hard to find a more unique example. The Pontiac’s entire interior including seats, seat belts, doors, carpeting and even gas and brake pedals is crafted of hand-tooled leather. Other personalized accessories include a rhinestone-encrusted saddle that straddles the transmission hump and a continental kit bearing the words “Hank Jr.” and surrounded by miniature horse heads.

This incredible vehicle accompanied Williams on tours of the U.S. and Canada, has appeared on the Tonight Show, and featured prominently in the promotion of the movie Your Cheatin’ Heart, starring George Hamilton. This car, more than any other, epitomizes country music’s motoring history. Offered for sale from the Smoky Mountain car Museum where it has been on display since 1968 in a custom made plexi-glass case, this unique and special car is just three owners from new and remains in excellent condition. This is a can’t miss opportunity to own a “one of one” that is simply put – unbelievable. Offered Without Reserve (Est. $250,000 - $350,000)

The Aston Martin DB5

RM Auction’s 7th Annual Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona Auction will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, January 20th, 2006 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Auction vehicles can be previewed beginning Thursday, January 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. Admission is by catalog ($80) which admits two people. Event and catalog information is available at http://www.rmauctions.com

Sale Update - 21st January 2006

The Aston Martin DB5 ended up being sold at the auction for over £1 Million. The car was purchased for $2,090,000 by a European collector. The auction house demonstrated all of the cars features, except for the ejector seat which has unfortunatley been replaced with a standard seat!

Read the BBC News Article for more information on the sale.

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