Automotive

Christie's auctioning 1/3 replica "Goldfinger" DB5 for charity

Christie's auctioning 1/3 replica "Goldfinger" DB5 for charity
Sir Ken Adam, designer of the "Q Branch" DB5, and the scale replica (Image: Aston Martin)
Sir Ken Adam, designer of the "Q Branch" DB5, and the scale replica (Image: Aston Martin)
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Scanning the original DB5 (Image: PropShop)
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Scanning the original DB5 (Image: PropShop)
Creating the 3D model (Image: PropShop)
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Creating the 3D model (Image: PropShop)
Printing the parts for the DB5 (Image: PropShop)
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Printing the parts for the DB5 (Image: PropShop)
The DB5 under assembly (Image: PropShop)
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The DB5 under assembly (Image: PropShop)
Finishing the DB5 (Image: PropShop)
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Finishing the DB5 (Image: PropShop)
The finished DB5 (Image: PropShop)
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The finished DB5 (Image: PropShop)
The replica DB5's auction price goes to support the NSPCC (Image: Christie)
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The replica DB5's auction price goes to support the NSPCC (Image: Christie)
The replica DB5 marks the 50th anniversary of Goldfinger (Image: Christie)
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The replica DB5 marks the 50th anniversary of Goldfinger (Image: Christie)
The replica DB5 is a one-off (Image: Christie)
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The replica DB5 is a one-off (Image: Christie)
The replica DB5 control box (Image: Christie)
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The replica DB5 control box (Image: Christie)
The replica DB5 is based on plans made for a film model (Image: Christie)
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The replica DB5 is based on plans made for a film model (Image: Christie)
Sir Ken Adam was the production designer on Goldfinger (Image: Aston Martin)
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Sir Ken Adam was the production designer on Goldfinger (Image: Aston Martin)
The scale replica with EON productions CEO Michael G Wilson OBE (Image: Aston Martin)
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The scale replica with EON productions CEO Michael G Wilson OBE (Image: Aston Martin)
The replica DB5 has machine guns (Image: Aston Martin)
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The replica DB5 has machine guns (Image: Aston Martin)
The replica includes the original number plate (Image: Aston Martin)
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The replica includes the original number plate (Image: Aston Martin)
The replica has revolving number plates (Image: Aston Martin)
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The replica has revolving number plates (Image: Aston Martin)
Interior of the replica DB5 (Image: Aston Martin)
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Interior of the replica DB5 (Image: Aston Martin)
The replica DB5 on display (Image: Aston Martin)
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The replica DB5 on display (Image: Aston Martin)
Sir Ken Adam, designer of the "Q Branch" DB5, and the scale replica (Image: Aston Martin)
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Sir Ken Adam, designer of the "Q Branch" DB5, and the scale replica (Image: Aston Martin)
The removable roof section signed by Sir Ken Adams (Image: Aston Martin)
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The removable roof section signed by Sir Ken Adams (Image: Aston Martin)
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A one-third scale gold-plated replica of James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 complete with "Q Branch" gadgets is being auctioned off by Christie’s auction house. The auction, which marks the 50th anniversary of the première of Goldfinger, is being staged to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

If there’s any car in the world that needs no introduction it’s the Aston Martin DB5 driven by secret agent 007 in the 1964 feature film. It’s also the only DB5 to come with a proper optional extras package that includes a bulletproof shield, Browning heavy machine guns, rams, tire shredders, revolving number plates, smoke screen and oil slick projectors, a homing tracker, and an ejector seat.

Commissioned by EON productions, the one-third replica may not be able to go head to head with SPECTRE, but it does have a realistic interior and deployable shield, machine guns, revolving number plates and a detachable passenger roof section signed by Sir Ken Adam, who designed the DB5’s special "Q Branch" features. It even has a replica of the original BMT 216A number plate and comes with an upholstered case containing a ‘60s-style radio remote for controlling the gadgets.

Finishing the DB5 (Image: PropShop)
Finishing the DB5 (Image: PropShop)

The replica is based on the model DB5 that made a return in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall. In the script, 007’s car was supposed to be destroyed by machine gun fire, but since this is the automotive equivalent of eating a baby, the PropShop was commissioned to build a scale model.

They did this by making a 3D scan of a real DB5, then using this to scale down the plan and then fabricating the parts using a 3D printer. These were then assembled and finished by hand. The same technique was used for the charity auction one-off, though the original livery was swapped out for gold plating.

"The Aston Martin DB5 is clearly an iconic sports car," says Nicolette Tomkinson, Head of Popular Culture at Christie’s. “However this Goldfinger model version, with 24-carat gold detailing, is truly unique and as such we anticipate worldwide interest and competitive bidding. We are confident that this online-only sale will raise a significant sum for the NSPCC."

The online auction continues until September 17 with the DB5 estimated to fetch £40,000 to £60,000 (US$65,000 to US$97,000).

The video below shows off the features of the replica DB5.

Sources: Christie’s, Aston Martin, PropShop

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