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First ‘Goldfinger’ Aston Martin completed, priced at RM17.7 million (w/VIDEO)

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55 years after the last new Aston Martin DB5 left the production line in England, a brand new unit of the same car has done the same thing. It is the first of only 25 cars that the carmaker is making as part of its Continuation programme. Each car will take around 4,500 hours to complete.

It’s not just a standard DB5 that is being made either; it’s the model which James Bond drove in the 1964 movie Goldfinger and comes with an array of gadgets that amazed audiences around the world. Many of the gadgets are functioning too although the machine guns that pop out of the headlights do not fire bullets, for obvious reasons.

Interestingly, though the DB5 is properly engineered like the original, Aston Martin mentions that it is not legal for use on public roads and that the fitment of gadgets is subject to country-specific regulations. Things like the revolving number plates would certainly not be legal. So most of the units will probably for display with occasional drives at special events.

The James Bond DB5 is regarded as ‘the most famous car in the world’. Fewer than 900 examples were built between 1963 and 1965 and are today among the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models.

Each of the 25 new cars are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen in the movie, taking 4,500 hours to complete. Some modifications and enhancements have been necessary to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability comparable to today’s Aston Martins. All the Goldfinger edition cars are being built to one exterior colour specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original.

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
The ‘half sunroof’ is actually an opening with a detachable panel removed. In the movie, the car had an ejection seat on the passenger side – which was used to get rid on an unwanted person.

The cars feature original DB5 styled aluminium exterior body panels cloaking an authentic DB5 mild steel chassis structure. Under the bonnet there’s a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated inline 6-cylinder engine with three SU carburettors and oil cooler. It produces around 290 bhp which goes through a 5-speed ZF manual transmission and mechanical limited slip differential to the rear wheels.

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Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion and a suspension set-up comprising coil over spring and damper units with anti-roll bar at the front, and a live axle rear suspension with radius arms and Watt’s linkage. The steering system is not power-assisted but Mr. Bond would not have required it, of course.

And now, let look at the list of gadgets the owner gets in the car:

Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
If mat rempits chase you, there’s a smokescreen generator or oil can also be sprayed onto the road behind.
Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
Someone in front going at 50 km/h in the fast lane? Extend the rams and just push him out of the way!
Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
This would be usegul when you’re in a hurry and there’s an AES camera. That’s why Aston Martin emphasises that the car is not road-legal if you have the gadgets.

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition

Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
Classic dashboard of a 1960s sportscar with a wood-rimmed steering wheel and no airbag.
Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
No GPS and no digital road maps in 1964 so 007 had this tracking device to follow another car using a topographical map.
Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
Remember it was 1964… 19 years before the first Motorola mobilephone was available.
Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Edition
Today, 007 would be using an iPhone and Apple CarPlay to activate all the gadgets.

Back in August last year, the original James Bond car was sold at an auction for US$6.4 million (about RM27.37 million) which was the highest price ever paid for a DB5. Each of the 25 modern units are said to cost £3.3 million, equivalent to RM17.66 million.

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