The first new Aston Martin DB5 in 55 years rolls off the production line
Monday, 6 July 2020
It has been promised for a long time now, but the first of the ultra-limited NZ$5.5 million Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars has rolled off the production line ready for its lucky (and obviously extremely wealthy) new owner.
For those who don’t know, so-called “continuation cars” are a profitable business for small manufacturers like Aston Martin and something that a number of companies have been getting into with some success – Jaguar did a run of 25 XKSS models (one of which resides here in New Zealand), while Bentley is currently readying a run of 12 hyper-expensive 4 1/2-litre Blower Bentleys and even Alvis has announced a run of models that actually use original parts that have been in storage for more than 50 years.
Aston Martin has previously done a run of DB4 continuation cars, but the DB5 Goldfinger model is arguably the most outrageous yet, being a “continuation” of a purely fictional version of the DB5.
Dubbed ‘the most famous car in the world’ (mainly by Aston Martin) and considered one of the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models, the DB5 has become quite the collector's piece in its own right, with fewer than 900 examples being built between 1963 and 1965.
**READ MORE:
* Aston Martin DB5 re-enters production after a 55 year pause
* Aston Martin's sneaky Bond reference
* Gadgets all go for next year's Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5
* Aston puts Goldfinger DB5 into production - but it's $5.3m and not road legal
**
But of course, its biggest claim to fame is that of being the stylish ride of the most famous secret agent (yes, that is a total oxymoron) in the world – James Bond – who first drove the car that is today inextricably linked with him in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.
It is from Goldfinger that Aston’s latest baby is taken, with the Goldfinger Continuation DB5 packing all the Q-fitted accessories it packed in the film. Although, sadly, the machine guns are fake…
In case you were wondering, here's the sort of spec NZ$5.5 million gets you:
• 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
• 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
Shockingly, the removable passenger seat roof panel is optional, but given the ejector seat is wisely not included, this is forgivable.
You can only get it in one colour (Silver Birch) and you can’t register it for road use, but it is fully-functional and drivable. Track days with fake machine guns blazing beckon, if you are brave enough.
“The DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association with James Bond,” said Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.
“To see the first customer car finished and realise that this is the first new DB5 we have built in more than half a century, really is quite a moment.
“It is a genuine privilege, and significant responsibility, to have been involved in the shaping of this new DB5 and to be helping to lead the creation of new versions of this automotive icon.
“I’m absolutely certain that the 25 lucky owners who are beginning to take delivery of these cars will be thrilled with them.”
If you have your order in you can start getting excited – first deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers have commenced and will continue through the second half of 2020.