Photo by Darin Schnabel, Courtesy of RM Auctions
On Wednesday evening, perhaps the most famous 1964 Aston Martin DB5 in the world was sold by RM Auctions – in association with Sotheby’s – in London. The DB5, driven by original Bond actor Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball, reportedly received just two bids; however, the Q-Branch, gadget-filled movie car still managed to fetch $4,608,500 (which includes a 12 percent buyer’s premium).
“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 was Harry Yeaggy (Hemmings Classic Car readers might be familiar with Harry; he is the owner of the 2007 Pebble Beach-winning 1935 Mormon Meteor we profiled in the December 2007 issue), who plans to display it as is in his private car museum in Ohio. Seller Jerry Lee plans to use the proceeds from the auction to further the efforts of The Jerry Lee Foundation.
Photo courtesy of RM Auctions
Also sold moments before the Aston Martin was a modified, special effects 1998 Jaguar XKR used in the Bond film Die Another Day. Without fees, the hammer dropped on the Jaguar when bidding stopped at $79,130 (it was offered without reserve). It was one of eight Jaguars used in the production, of which four were modified with a four-wheel-drive system for driving in the movie’s ice scenes; it was also powered by a Ford 302-cu.in. V-8.
Full results from RM’s Automobiles of London event can be found on their website.