Goldfinger Archives

Replica of 1965 Corgi box with the Goldfinger Aston Martin on display at Malaysian-owned Battersea Power Station in London

No Time to Die, the latest James Bond movie, has its world premiere in London today. Its global release was delayed due to the pandemic and it will progressively appear on screens around the world from the end of this month. It was to appear in Malaysian cinemas from September 29, but GSC announced that the film distributor has postponed the first screening to November 25, 2021, reasons unknown.

Once the premiere date was confirmed, the many brands associated with the movie quickly began their campaigns and Aston Martin, which has had a presence since the earliest films, started off with a unique campaign. It is a giant replica of the original Corgi DB5 model toy box that was sold in 1965 when Goldfinger was shown. Parents bought thousands of children the metal scale model of the iconic sportscar which would be a collectors item today, just like the real car.

There were other models of the car but Corgi’s was the most famous. Replicating the action features of the car seen in the movie, it was an instant success earning the UK ‘Toy of the Year’ and ‘Best Boys Toy’ titles at the National Association of Toy Retailers Awards in 1965. The model has proven so popular over the years that it has had to be retooled numerous times. Over 20 million units have been sold worldwide and it is still being produced to this day.

The large box, replicating the original Corgi item, has been on display near London’s Battersea Power Station (which is owned by Malaysian companies) and measures 5.66 metres long, 2.7 metres tall and 2.7 metres deep. Inside is an Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation car complete with a broad selection of working gadgets. Fans will recognise the rotating numberplates, a retractable bulletproof rear shield, extending front overriders and of course, those pop-out machineguns hidden behind the headlights.

The display car is one of just 25 DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars being produced, taking place more than 55 years after the last new DB5 was made. Each of the cars is an authentic reproduction of not only the original DB5 but also of the ‘Goldfinger’ car. Therefore, they are also in the same exterior colour – Silver Birch (just like the original) – with only minor modifications and enhancements to ensure the highest levels of quality and reliability.

“Aston Martin’s relationship with James Bond spans decades and the DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association. Working with EON Productions and Chris Corbould to build 25 of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuations was a truly unique project for everyone involved at Aston Martin. Now, to work with Corgi – another quintessential British brand – and to see James Bond’s most cherished car sitting inside a to-scale toy box in central London is quite outstanding,” said Marek Reichman, Executive Vice-President & Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.

No Time To Die, also has iconic Aston Martin models from the past, present and future. It is the first time that 4 different models have appeared in one 007 film: the DB5, the classic Aston Martin V8, the brand’s super GT – the DBS – and the Valhalla hypercar.

Like Aston Martin, Land Rover models are also involved in a lot of action in the movie. Alongside 10 of the latest Defenders are the Range Rover Sport SVR, the Series III Land Rover and a Range Rover Classic.

007 Aston Martin DB5 — *Sean Connery, the original James Bond, with the DB5 used in ‘Goldfinger’.*

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

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.

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:

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.

Click here for other news and articles about Aston Martin.

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!

Car chase scenes were in movies a long time before ‘Goldfinger’, the James Bond movie, appeared in 1964. But it was in this 007 movie, only the third of many to come, that the Aston Martin DB5 became famous, especially with its built-in gadgets like machine-guns behind the headlamps, tyre slashers, numberplate-changer and even an ejector seat, to name a few.

Dubbed ‘the most famous car in the world’ and renowned as being among the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models, only 900 units of the DB5 were built by Aston Martin between 1963 and 1965.

Now, 55 years after the last new DB5 left the factory, the company is once again making the DB5 in a strictly limited number. Created in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions, they even have a broad suite of working gadgets seen on the car in the 1964 film.

The Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are history in the making, part of the Continuation car programme which began in 2017 with the DB4 GT Continuation. Each of the 25 cars takes around 4,500 hours to complete and while there is still the old-world craftsmanship, the highest possible quality is achieved by using modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements.

All the new cars are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen by millions around the world in 1964. They all come in one exterior colour – Silver Birch – just like the original.

The cutting-edge gadgets were developed in association with Chris Corbould, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films. While there will not be an ejector seat, owners will get with their car the following:

Rear smoke screen delivery system
Rear simulated oil slick delivery system
Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)
Simulated twin front machine guns
Bullet resistant rear shield
Battering rams front and rear
Simulated tyre slasher
Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)
Simulated radar screen tracker map
Telephone in driver’s door
Gear knob actuator button
Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear
Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray
Remote control for gadget activation

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

Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering – which has no power assistance – 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, complete the dynamic package.

First deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers will commence in the second half of 2020. Each car is priced from £2.75 million (about RM14.8 million).

James Bond’s 50th anniversary Aston Martin DBS Superleggera unveiled

Piston.my

Goldfinger

Replica of 1965 Corgi box with the Goldfinger Aston Martin on display at Malaysian-owned Battersea Power Station in London

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

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!

Replica of 1965 Corgi box with the Goldfinger Aston Martin on display at Malaysian-owned Battersea Power Station in London

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

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!

Archive

Ford Ranger Getaways Returns With More Thrills and Adventures!

Review: The New Honda CR-V Has Set a New Benchmark for Japanese SUV’s

Rowan Atkinson’s Remarks Linked to Decline in EV Sales in the UK

Chery Malaysia Launches the Omoda E5 EV – RM146,800

BHPetrol Hosts “Chinese New Year and Safe Return Home Program”

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Piston Show