The world famous 1964 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 movie car driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball, and factory-fitted with the full complement of operational ‘Q-Branch’ gadgets, was sold at auction in London on October 27th, 2010 by RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, in front of a packed audience for £2,912,000 ($4,608,500).
“RM has just established the price of fame,” said Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, RM Auctions. ”We had a fabulous time during the promotion of the sale of 007’s DB5 and we’re really pleased to have been able to assist with finding it a great new home.”
The successful bidder, Harry Yeaggy, an American business man, is only the second ex-factory owner of the Mr. Bond’s ride. The car’s seller, Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, purchased it directly from the Aston Martin Lagonda factory for $12,000 in 1969.
“This is a car that I’ve always wanted, after all it is the most famous car in the world,” said Mr. Yeaggy about the purchase of the James Bond Aston Martin DB5. “My plan is to display it in my private car museum in Ohio just as it is.”
Mr. Lee plans to use the proceeds from the sale to further the charitable work of The Jerry Lee Foundation, a multi-national initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, with an emphasis on crime prevention. Of particular benefit will be the Jerry Lee Center of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania and the Jerry Lee Centre of Experimental Criminology at the University of Cambridge. (jerryleefoundation.com)
“The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” said Jerry Lee. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.”
In addition to acquiring the ‘most famous car in the world’, today’s winning bidder receives commemorative Dormeiul ‘Vanquish II’ fabric woven with solid gold thread from famous British tailoring house Gieves & Hawkes, who dressed Sean Connery with bespoke tailoring for all six of his appearances as James Bond. This certified fabric will be made into a handmade bespoke suit by the craftsmen at Gieves & Hawkes of No. 1 Savile Row, London for an estimated value of £30,000. What better sartorial statement could one make when driving or exhibiting this iconic automobile?
Another exciting and valuable addition for new owner of the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 is an exclusive seven-night stay for 10 guests valued at £40,000 at the relaunched GoldenEye Resort in Jamaica – Ian Fleming’s original Caribbean Estate. The luxury getaway will enable the guests to revel in the history and the inspirational surroundings where all 14 James Bond novels were written, and sit at Fleming’s original desk where the Goldfinger car and Q gadgets were conceived.
Complete results of RM Auctions fourth annual ‘Automobiles of London’ will be available published when available.
*Footnote: The final figures include 12% buyer’s premium. Exchange rates: 1GBP = 1.5826 USD/1GBP = 0.6319 Euro
[Source: RM Auctions; photo credit: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]
