SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 owned by “James Bond” actor Sir Sean Connery was sold for around $2.4 million – more than expected – this month during Monterey Car Week in California.
Broad Arrow Auctions said it is the only DB5 that Connery, who originated the role of secret agent 007 on film, ever owned. This model, which was featured in the film “Goldfinger” is the best known “Bond car” according to CNN Business.
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Connery bought the car in 2018, shortly before he passed away in 2020 at 90 years old. During his career, the Scottish actor played Bond seven times, from 1962’s “Dr. No” to 1983’s “Never Say Never Again.” He has been succeeded by several actors, most recently Daniel Craig.
“Helping Sir Sean source the Aston was one of the most enjoyable memories of my experience in the vintage car world,” said Broad Arrow Group Partner and Senior Car Specialist Barney Ruprecht, also a Connery family friend. “His brief to me was find the best example possible. He was fastidious in everything he researched and acquired.”
According to Broad Arrow Auctions, Connery’s Aston Martin DB5 was “meticulously prepared by noted marque specialists RS Williams, with its original engine.” Inside there are red Connolly leather seats and it was “finished in Bond-correct Snow Shadow Grey, naturally.”
This May, Broad Arrow Auctions announced the vehicle sale would take place Aug. 18 at the Monterey Jet Center. At that time, its sale price was estimated at $1.4 million to $1.8 million.
The buyer of the car was also offered a personal drive with Sir Jackie Stewart, a British former Formula One racing driver from Scotland. However, it does not have Bond gadgets such as machine guns or an ejector seat.
“Dad used to talk about owning his own DB5, for no other reason than he loved the car, and I think in hindsight it did represent something in his life that was unique and captured a moment in time,” said Connery’s son, Jason Connery. “He did tell me that driving the movie cars, all laden down with the gadgets, especially the machine guns in the front, made the car really front heavy and turning at slow speed was a Herculean task, so driving without gadgets was a joy! He loved how well balanced it was.”
Connery’s son said his dad might have wanted to keep the ejector seat, though Jason didn’t ask who that gadget would be for.
“On a more serious note, we are so delighted to say that a significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Aston Martin will go to benefit the Sean Connery Philanthropy Fund, an act that we know our father would have been very pleased by,” said Jason Connery.
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