Vintage 007 Aston Martin to return to the UK

A British classic car which was once described as the most famous in the world is set to appear at an event in Buckinghamshire this month.

The sole-remaining silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5 ''FMP 7B'' achieved iconic status for its appearances in the James Bond films ''Goldfinger'' and ''Thunderball''.

Having spent more than 40 years in the US with its original owner, the vehicle is now coming back to the UK to be sold at the annual ''Automobiles of London'' auction in October.

However, vintage car fans will be able to catch a glimpse of it in the very near future as it is scheduled to appear at the Stoke Park Midsummer Classic on June 26th.

"This DB5 is more than a car, it''s a film star and it''s an absolute privilege to be able to present it to the British public again, having been away in America for so many years," said Max Girardo, the managing director of RM Auctions Europe.

The DB5, which has been owned by US radio personality Jerry Lee since he paid Aston Martin $12,000 for it in 1969, is expected to fetch $5 million when it goes under the hammer.

1963 Aston Martin DB4 4-Seater Convertible sold for a way over top estimate £297,000

 

 A 1963 Aston Martin DB4 4-Seater Convertible - one of just seventy made which had been restored some thirty years ago and had all its numbers still matching - sold for a way over top estimate £297,000 including buyers premium during the latest H&H sale at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, reports Richard Hudson-Evans.
Another thumping big price was the £175,000 invested in a Bristol 100D2-engined and nicely patinated 1959 AC Ace Roadster which had also been consigned by the same ex-professional goalkeeper as the Aston. The footballer turned steel stock holder’s five-car collection - which included a £37,400 Ferrari 328GTS with 12,800 mileage displayed since 1989 and a £7700 1980 MGB LE Roadster with just 2500 miles on the clock - all sold out at the popular Peak District venue.
The northern auction house certainly has a good track record for achieving progressively stronger prices for the Ace with a Ford Zephyr 2.6-powered car fetching a record £209,000 with premium at a previous sale.
During what amounted to a £1.32m afternoon once £125,000 worth of motorcycles including a £46,750 1951 Vincent Black Shadow and £35,000 spent on automobilia had been taken into account, 48 cars or 80% of the entry changed hands, the average spend per car being £24,245.
Among the most notable movers for market watchers were a concours standard 1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII Fixed Head sold for £93,500 and a restored and early 1958 Jaguar XK150S 3.4 Roadster made £56,100. A 1962 E Type 3.8 former Coupe and now Roadster realised £43,450 and a left to right-hand drive converted 1954 Austin-Healey 100 with louvered 100M-style bonnet £30,800.
And although a re-shelled 1969 Mk1 Ford Escort rally car with non-original Twin Cam motor, but historic FEV 5H registration failed to find the £80,000 or so sought, a works-supported Reliant Sabre 6 Coupe, which did do the 1963 and 1964 Monte Carlo Rallies in period, found £26,400. There was also much competition between bidders to take on a 1966 Lotus Elan restoration project. Dormant in a garage for 10years and with realistic pre-sale estimate of £1000-2000 reflecting cosmetically distressed condition, the Series Convertible with hardtop eventually cost some brave contestant £16,050 with premium!