RECORDS SHATTERED AS CLASSIC ASTON MARTIN SPORTS CARS CHANGE HANDS FOR MILLIONS AT RM SOTHEBY’S SALE

RECORDS SHATTERED AS CLASSIC ASTON MARTIN SPORTS CARS CHANGE HANDS FOR MILLIONS AT RM SOTHEBY’S SALE

Aston Martin DB5

15 August, Monterey, USA: The ‘Evening with Aston Martin’ sale in Monterey, curated by renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s as part of their annual Monterey sale, has today seen exceptional examples of some of the brand’s most desirable sports cars change hands for millions of dollars.

This event to remember witnessed an incomparable list of the most significant Aston Martin models go under the hammer, with bidders from around the world vying for ownership of some of the jewels in the British sports car brand’s heritage crown.

The 2019 event was a new occasion for collectors, who witnessed a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.

A highlight of the evening came as a 1965 Aston Martin James Bond DB5 – originally commissioned and used in the promotion of the James Bond film Thunderball - sold for a final price of $6,385,000 upon the fall of the auctioneer’s gavel. After receiving an initial estimate of $4,000,000-$6,000,000, tonight’s result underlines the continued popularity and admiration for this world-famous automotive and silver-screen icon and sets a new record for the most valuable DB5 at auction.

A surprise highlight of the day included a 1965 DB5 Shooting Brake which sold for a final price of $1,765,000.

Andy Palmer, President and Group CEO Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “The interest among collectors and enthusiasts worldwide underscores the enduring global appeal of this great British sports car company.

Aston Martin Lagonda has stood tall at the pinnacle of the British automotive world for over a century. Recognised today for our excellence in design, engineering, craftsmanship and style, we, of course, would not stand in this position without a rich history of iconic models that have helped shape and define what this brand means today.

Thanks to RM Sotheby’s, this event has been, without question, a highlight on the Aston Martin heritage calendar in 2019 and I, for one, look forward to seeing many more sales in the future, in partnership with our exceptional heritage division, Aston Martin Works.”

Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s comments: “It was an honour to offer the iconic James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin and Aston Martin Works. We are beyond thrilled with tonight’s fantastic result and proud to have set a new record for the most valuable DB5 sold at auction. Beyond this new auction record, the enormous amount of interest in the car and excitement surrounding it ahead of the auction solidifies its status as the “most famous car in the world,” along with the collector car hobby’s great respect for the Aston Martin brand.”

COMPLETE DIGITAL CATALOGUE NOW AVAILABLE FOR RM SOTHEBY’S MONTEREY AUCTION, 15-17 AUGUST

COMPLETE DIGITAL CATALOGUE NOW AVAILABLE FOR
RM SOTHEBY’S MONTEREY AUCTION, 15-17 AUGUST

UNREPEATABLE OPPORTUNITIES HIGHLIGHT ALL THREE NIGHTS:

THURSDAY
THE MOST FAMOUS CAR IN THE WORLD
JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN DB5

FRIDAY
THE MOST REVERED MODERN SUPERCAR
1994 MCLAREN F1 ‘LM-SPECIFICATION’

SATURDAY
THE OLDEST CAR TO WEAR THE PORSCHE NAME
1939 PORSCHE TYPE 64

BLENHEIM, Ontario (23 July 2019) – RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to release the complete catalogue for its Monterey auction, set for 15-17 August at the Monterey Conference Center in California. The record-setting sale—which this year features a special third auction night on 15 August, ‘An Evening with Aston Martin’—will present 184 motor cars and a selection of memorabilia, of which 43 lots carry million-dollar-plus pre-sale estimates and of which nearly 45 per cent are offered without reserve. Highlight entries are found across all three nights, with standout cars including the James Bond 1965 Aston Martin DB5, the 1953 Aston Martin DB3S Works, the 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’, and the 1939 Porsche Type 64.

“This is without a doubt one of our most significant offerings to date across all auctions,” says Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s, of the 2019 Monterey sale. “With the cultural phenomenon that is the Bond DB5, the pedigree of the Works Aston Martin DB3S and Werks Porsche RS 60, the full Ford GT lineup, some of the rarest road and racing Ferraris, the incredible history behind the Type 64, and the legendary performance of the McLaren F1 ‘LM-Spec’, we have assembled some of the most desirable and hard-to-find cars on the planet. This also marks the first time that a modern supercar has led the entire Monterey week offering across all auctions, and we look forward to sharing a memorable weekend with the collector car world in California next month.” 

Thursday, 15 August

“An Evening with Aston Martin,” held in association with Aston Martin Works, will kick off the Monterey auction on Thursday night, with 34 of the world’s most sought-after road-going and track-ready Aston Martin sports cars crossing the block. Headlining the evening is the highly original DB3S Works, the second Works DB3S ever built. Raced in some of the most prestigious motorsport events of the 1950s, the car was piloted by numerous legendary drivers including ex-Aston Martin team driver Peter Collins, who purchased the car in 1955. The DB3S Works is offered at Monterey as an important piece of Aston Martin’s competition history, remarkably complete with its original chassis, body, and engine (Est. $8,750,000-$10,500,000).

Joining the DB3S Works on Thursday is the full lineup of DB5 variations, led by the much-buzzed-about James Bond 1965 Aston Martin DB5. Dubbed “The Most Famous Car in the World”, the car is one of just two examples purchased by Eon Productions for the promotional launch of Thunderball, fitted with 13 Q Brand specified, fully functional Bond gadgets (Est. $4,000,000-$6,000,000

Friday, 16 August

Leading the Friday night session is the incredible 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’, considered one of the best examples of history’s most revered modern supercar. Serial no. 018 is one of a mere two cars upgraded by McLaren to LM specifications, equipped with the unrestricted GTR racing engine good for 680hp and an extra High-Downforce Kit. Finished in arguably the most desirable colour combo, the F1 comes to Monterey from 12 years of single ownership, during which it was meticulously maintained by McLaren Special Operations and enjoyed as was intended by its creators (Est. $21,000,000-$23,000,000). The McLaren leads a lineup of the hobby’s rarest and most powerful supercars and hypercars set for Monterey.

Also sure to steal the spotlight on Friday are three racing legends: a 1962 Ferrari 196 SP by Fantuzzi, a 1954 Maserati A6GCS by Fiandri & Malagoli, and a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype. The final of five surviving Scuderia Ferrari Sports Prototypes constructed for the 1961–62 seasons, the 196 SP boasts fascinating early racing history and retains its matching-numbers engine and gearbox (Est. $8,000,000-$10,000,000). The 25th of 52 total examples built, the A6GCS was campaigned by the Maserati factory team during the 1954 season, at the hands of famed works driver, Luigi Musso, seeing numerous podium and first-in-class finishes (Est. $3,250,000-$3,750,000). The first of just five roadsters built, the highly original GT40 Roadster Prototype leads the complete Ford GT lineage in Monterey and was driven by the likes of such legendary drivers as Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, and Jim Clark (Est. $7,000,000-$9,000,000).  

Saturday, 17 August

The final sale evening is highlighted by the oldest car to wear the Porsche name, the 1939 Porsche Type 64. The only surviving original Type 64, the car predates the first production Porsche and is the antecedent of the 356 and Porsche’s historical evolution to come. Driven extensively by the Porsche family, the Type 64 comes to Monterey from the long-term care of just its fourth owner (Est. In excess of $20,000,000).

The Type 64 leads a group of 20 Porsche models presented at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, which also includes a 1960 Porsche 718 RS 60 Werks. The final example of just four Werks cars built, the RS 60 was campaigned by the Porsche factory for the 1960 and ’61 seasons and presents an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire the ultimate iteration of Porsche’s factory aluminium spyder race cars (Est. $5,750,000 - $7,750,000).

Ferrari will also take top billing at the Monterey sale, with no less than 31 significant models sprinkled throughout the Friday and Saturday evenings. Leading Saturday highlights is the only remaining unrestored 1962 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spider, presented in fully numbers-matching, Ferrari Classiche Certified condition (Est. $10,500,000-$13,000,000), alongside a matching-numbers, Ferrari Classiche-certified 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, one of just 40 steel body models built, and offered without reserve (Est. $8,000,000-$10,000,000).

For further information on RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey auction or to view all lots in the complete digital catalogue, please visit rmsothebys.com. Interested bidders are invited to call +1 519 352 4575 to register or to speak with a car specialist.

THE MOST FAMOUS CAR IN THE WORLD: RM SOTHEBY’S PRESENTS JAMES BOND 007 ASTON MARTIN DB5

THE MOST FAMOUS CAR IN THE WORLD: RM SOTHEBY’S PRESENTS JAMES BOND 007 ASTON MARTIN DB5

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Bond Car (Simon Clay (c) 2019 Courtesy of RM Sothebys)

RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of Aston Martin, has announced “the most famous car in the world” and perhaps the most iconic Aston Martin of all time to lead ‘An Evening with Aston Martin’, a special single-marque sale session at the company’s 2019 Monterey auction on 15 August. RM Sotheby’s will present a 1965 Aston Martin DB5, one of just three surviving examples commissioned in period by Eon Productions and fitted with MI6 Q Branch specifications as pictured in Goldfinger.

No one could have predicted the fabulously successful multi-decade synergy that would develop when production designer Ken Adam and special effects man John Stears visited Aston Martin’s Newport-Pagnell plant in late 1963. The two men were on a mission to source a pair of the latest Aston Martin models for use in Eon Productions’ third adaptation of an Ian Fleming novel, again about the MI6 superspy with a license to kill, James Bond. The film was called Goldfinger.

CLICK TO WATCH

Two near-identical cars were built and loaned to Eon Productions for filming, with each fulfilling various roles; one for stunt driving and chase sequences and therefore needing to be lightweight and fast, and the other for interior shots and close-ups, to be equipped with functional modifications created by Stears. As Desmond Llewelyn’s legendary weapons-master Q would go on to explain to Sean Connery’s 007, the Snow Shadow Gray-painted DB5 was equipped with front and rear hydraulic over-rider rams on the bumpers, a Browning.30 calibre machine gun in each fender, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, a raising rear bullet-proof screen, an in-dash radar tracking scope, oil, caltrop and smoke screen dispensers, revolving license plates, and a passenger-seat ejection system. Although never used during the film, the car was also equipped with a telephone in the driver’s door to communicate with MI6 headquarters and a hidden compartment under the driver’s seat containing several weapons.

The smash success of Goldfinger was also a success for Aston Martin, which saw DB5 sales surge to fuel an unprecedented level of production. The producers at Eon also took notice of the enormous appeal and potential marketing opportunities. In preparation for Thunderball’s release, the company ordered two more DB5 saloons, receiving chassis nos. DB5/2008/R, the example on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, and DB5/2017/R. The two cars were fitted with all of Stears’ Goldfingermodifications and were shipped to the United States for promotional duties for Thunderball.

Reached through his son, Stephane Connery ahead of the sale, legendary actor Sean Connery, who originally portrayed James Bond on film in both Goldfinger and Thunderball said: “These DB5s are amazing – I remember the Furka Pass tire shredding as well as the promotional events with these cars – they have become increasingly iconic since Goldfinger and Thunderball, in fact I bought a very fine DB5 myself relatively recently.”

Following the tour, the two cars were no longer required as the next two Bond films debuted with different, more current automobiles in the hero roles and, accordingly, they were quietly offered for sale in 1969. The cars were soon purchased as a pair by well-known collector Anthony (now Lord) Bamford, whose British registration for chassis no. 2008/R remains on file. The Aston Martin build record lists Eon Productions as the original purchaser, with the important designation of being a “(Bond Car)” noted.

Bamford then sold DB5/2008/R to B.H. Atchley, the owner of the Smokey Mountain Car Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Aston Martin was featured as the museum’s centrepiece, remaining in a pristine state of display for 35 years, receiving regular start-ups for exercise. In 2006, RM Sotheby’s (previously RM Auctions) was privileged to offer this very Bond DB5 for public sale, in a largely unrestored state.

Since that time, a well-documented, no-expense-spared restoration by Switzerland’s esteemed Roos Engineering was completed. Roos Engineering is one of 13 specialist facilities whom Aston Martin have appointed as official Heritage Specialists. Not only were the chassis and body completely refinished to proper standards, but all thirteen of the John Stears-designed Bond modifications were properly refurbished to function as originally built.

Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s comments: “No other car in history has played a more important leading role on film and in pop culture than the Aston Martin DB5. The DB5 is the iconic cornerstone of a marketing relationship that still exists to this day—with the model’s collectable status rooted largely in its 007 fame—and we look forward to exciting car and film enthusiasts alike in the lead up to the auction. This is an unbelievably rare chance to play secret agent in a car that offers incredible performance and style in its own right and we’re honoured to offer the Bond DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin.”

The first Stears-modified car has been lost since 1997, narrowing the number of surviving examples to just three. The car on offer is one of only two built from new with all Bond gadgetry, and chassis no. 2008/R stands apart with its extremely minimal chain of ownership, having had just three private owners over 50 years, including a 35-year period of a museum exhibition. An incredibly rare and exciting example of what has been deemed “the most famous car in the world”, the DB5 offers a highly desirable acquisition for the serious marque collector…or secret agent (Est. $4,000,000 - $6,000,000).

RM Sotheby’s will display the Bond DB5 in North America this summer, with July dates to be announced. The car leads ‘An Evening with Aston Martin’, a special third auction evening on 15 August during RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey sale, featuring more than 30 of the world’s most sought-after road-going and track-ready Aston Martin sports cars from across the marque’s illustrious history. This year’s Monterey sale (15-17 August) will once again present more than 120 of the world’s most important motor cars in the ultimate collector car destination.

For further information on RM Sotheby’s 2019 Monterey auction and to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit rmsothebys.com. Interested consignors are invited to call RM Sotheby’s global headquarters at +1 519 352 4575 to speak with a car specialist about entering an important motor car in the Monterey sale. Consignments are invited through 3 July 2019.

FOR MORE NEWS FROM RM SOTHEBY’S: #RMSothebys #RMMonterey

Visit: rmsothebys.com

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Bond Car (Simon Clay (c) 2019 Courtesy of RM Sothebys)