Image via Complex Original
The James Bond film franchise is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Over that time, Bond has driven an extensive range of fantastic cars. However, no lovely Lotus, Jaguar, or BMW can take away one simple truth: James Bond and Aston Martins go together like the ingredients of a perfectly mixed dry martini. It’s no surprise. After all, 007 and Aston Martin are two of the greatest gifts the U.K. ever gave the rest of the world. Skyfall has already opened internationally and opens across the U.S. today. Take a look at how the James Bond/Aston Martin legend has only grown in strength and popularity over the years.
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Goldfinger - DB5
Year: 1964
Type: Movie Car
Named for British industrialist David Brown, who purchased Aston Martin in 1947, the DB5 first graced British roads in 1963. In Ian Fleming’s original novel, 007 drove a DB Mk III. By the time the film version was in production, the DB5 was Aston Martin’s new hotness, and thus, James Bond’s, as well. Bond’s car was outfitted with several features that the road-going model didn’t have. Special effects gadgetmaster John Stears gave it revolving license plates, twin Browning .303 machine guns, a bulletproof rear window, an ejector seat, battering ram bumpers, vicious tire slashers, and what may have been the first-ever in-car navigation system.
What isn’t as well-known is that there were actually two DB5s used during filming. More specifically, the car with all the expensive special effects gadgetry was a DB4 prototype made to look like a DB5. An actual DB5 was used by Eon for high-speed work, as the producers didn’t like the possibility of their expensive special effects car being ruined. However, the gearbox on the stock DB5 couldn’t take the strain of the famous Alps chase scene, meaning the gadgets car ended up doing the heavy lifting anyway. After production wrapped, the stealth DB4 did a publicity tour, and Eon fixed up the stock DB5 with replicas of the DB4’s expensive gadgetry so they could begin filming Thunderball.
The popularity of Goldfinger made the DB5 popular as well and is credited with saving Aston Martin from a period of financial peril. Only around 1,000 DB5s were sold before Aston scrapped production to begin offering the DB6. Keep in mind, the cost to buy a new DB5 at the time was the equivalent of around $85,000 in 2012.
Thunderball - DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Movie Car
The newly reinforced DB5 from Goldfinger made its reappearance during the opening credits of Thunderball. After production wrapped all the gadgetry was stripped and it was sold to a collector who fitted it with yet another set of replica gadgets. It went through a few changes in ownership before being stolen and dropping off the map in 1997. Aston Martin made two additional replicas of the gadget-laden DB5 for use as press cars after the first two Bond films were so successful. One is now in the hands of a collector, while the other is on display at the Louwman Dutch National Motor Museum in the Hague.
ASC Aston Martin DB5 - Regular Edition
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
Friction-powered tin cars were popular in Japan back in the day, so it’s no surprise that ASC issued this version, complete with ejector seat.
ASC Aston Martin DB5 - Special Edition
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
The special edition had snazzier painted details. Just think, this was back in the days before some marketing genius realized fans would buy four copies of the same comic book if they just had different cover art!
Clifford Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
Hong Kong toymaker Clifford wanted in on the James Bond DB5 action. We’re not sure why it’s gold, though. It also had no ejector seat. We’d feel cheated if we got this one instead of one of the others from that time period.
Husky Extra Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
We love the simplicity of the instructions included with this toy. When using the ejector seat, the cardboard behind the clear plastic surrounding the car simply says, “To Reset, Replace Figure, Close Roof.”
Daiya Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
Not only did this Japanese toy manufacturer include the ejector seat, but this tin DB5 had a remote control, as well.
United Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
If you’ve ever wondered why so many Japanese toys of this era were tin, it’s because the tin toy manufacturing industry was one of the first allowed to resume business and export after the U.S occupied Japan following WWII. Until the late ‘60s, Japanese tin toys were a big deal, as a result. Cue “The More You Know” jingle and shooting star with rainbow here.
Aoshin-Gilbert Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1965
Type: Toy
This is a Japanese tin toy with a difference. Rather than being friction-powered, it’s a battery-operated RC car.
Corgi Aston Martin DB5 #270
Year: 1968
Type: Toy
Corgi’s original toy version of the Goldfinger DB5 had the ejector seat and became quite popular. If you’re a Bond toy car collector, this is a definite must for your collection, though you might have to try your hand at restoration, if you manage to find one.
Corgi Juniors Aston Martion DB5
Year: 1979
Type: Toy
This 1:66 scale DB5 is just the right size to get lost under your couch. Or class up your collection of Hot Wheels and Matchbox die-cast cars. Your pick.
Corgi Moonraker Gift Set
Year: 1979
Type: Toy
Although it didn’t appear in Moonraker, by this time the Aston Martin DB5 was such an integral part of the Bond legend that this iconic Bond car simply had to appear in this toy collection. Willfully anachronistic? No. We like to think of it as being timeless.
Corgi Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1985
Type: Toy
We know the actual car used in the film was gray, but the paintwork on this model is relatively flat. We’d expect more out of a good DB5 toy, aesthetically speaking.
Corgi Goldfinger 30th Anniversary Edition Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1995
Type: Toy
The certificate claims it’s a limited edition of only 29,000 produced. Perhaps more limited than some toys, but not on the crazy-limited-edition end of Corgi’s operations. It’s a relatively affordable way to ease into Bond Aston toy collecting.
AUTOArt Aston Martin DB5
Year: 2002
Type: Toy
Anyone into either cars or toys knows that AUTOArt makes some of the slickest, most gorgeous and finely detailed 1:18 scale die-cast car models you’d ever want to own. It’s no surprise that their rendering of 007’s iconic DB5 is an out-and-out stunner.
Corgi 40th Anniversary 24K Gold-Plated Limited Edition Aston Martin Collection
Year: 2005
Type: Toy
Because this year is the 50th anniversary of the film franchise, you might be wondering why Corgi would be celebrating a 40th anniversary in 2005. That’s because Corgi was celebrating its own anniversary of being part of the Bond family, not the film franchise. Corgi’s been a big part of Bond merchandising almost since the beginning, but the films do still predate the toys slightly. Yet another big difference between classic and modern movies. Toys tend to hit shelves before films even open today.
TS Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 with Lights and Sounds
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Start those kids down the path to 007 automo-love while they’re young, we say.
TS Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 RC Car
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Slightly older kids will appreciate this starter RC DB5.
Ertl/Joyride/RC2 Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 1:18 scale
Year: 2006
Type: Toy
Not content to only have an ejector seat, this model has most of the bells and whistles seen in Goldfinger: tire slashers, pull-out front indicator light, a hidden machine gun, pop-up bulletproof screen in the rear, working steering and wheels, a bonnet that opens, opening doors, a pull-out rear light cluster (for dispensing oil and nails), and pivoting license plates. What more could you ask for in a nicely detailed toy?
On Her Majesty's Secret Service Aston Martin DBS
Year: 1968
Type: Movie Car
The film, released in 1969, featured a 1968 Aston Martin DBS in a relatively minor role when compared with the ill-fated Mrs. Bond’s Ride, an amazing ice-racing Mercury Cougar. Still, its unmistakable styling suited the second Bond, George Lazenby. It was stately, not too flashy, and had a one-off specially made glovebox. Actually, Lazenby was more like that glove box than the car, as he only appeared in the one Bond film. Unfortunately, soon after OHMSS, Aston Martin suffered another bout of financial trouble and didn’t appear in another Bond franchise film until the ‘80s as a result.
Corgi SpyGuise 1:36 scale On Her Majesty's Secret Service Aston Martin DBS - Special Edition
Year: 2005
Type: Toy
Only 500 of these were made, and they got the metallic brown paint just right. It looks stately and sleek, not flat and sad. Plus, you get a really nice painting of George Lazenby and the beautiful Diana Rigg as box art. What’s not to love?
Corgi Special Collector's Edition On Her Majesty's Secret Service 24K Gold-Plated Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2005
Type: Toy
If the SpyGuise 1:36 scale editions aren’t rare enough for you, only 007 of these were made. But they come with a certificate of authenticity and a really cool 007 attache case for display. Toys don’t come much more exclusive than this.
Minichamps 1:43 scale On Her Majesty's Secret Service Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2009
Type: Toy
With working wheels, this bronze beauty features nice attention to detail at a reasonable price. If a gold-plated DBS is a little out of your budget, this might be the 007 classic DBS toy for you.
The Living Daylights Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante
Year: 1986
Type: Movie Car
At the time the film was shot, the V8 engine wasn’t available as a factory option for the Volante. But it’s 007, so that’s OK. Apparently, so was the idea of “winterizing” the car by fitting a hardtop -- when, in actuality, the film was shot using both the Volante and Coupe versions of the Vantage. The James Bond franchise was, as ever, doing what it does best: stretching the viewer’s credulity just that little bit more.
The Living Daylights Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe
Year: 1986
Type: Movie Car
What kind of special features did Q build into the Vantage for 007’s use, you ask? Loads. Starting with a relatively yawn-inducing police band scanner radio, this Vantage also featured retractable outriggers for snow/ice driving, ice spikes that would shoot out of the tires via compressed air, a jet engine booster rocket, heat-seeking missiles cleverly concealed behind the fog lamps, front hub laser beams, and a special heads-up display for accurately targeting said missiles. There was also a self-destruct system, should all safe escape plans fall apart, which, of course, they did. Note: a fiberglass replica was destroyed during filming, not either actual Vantage. You can breathe now.
Corgi SpyGuise The Living Daylights Special Edition Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Year: 2005
Type: Toy
With only 500 made, this is a highly sought-after collectable, especially because the Vantage wasn’t nearly as popular a toy to reproduce in die-cast as, say, the DB5. Any of the DB5s.
Goldeneye Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1964
Type: Movie Car
Besides spawning one of the most popular N64 video games of all time, Goldeneye featured a memorable car chase between the iconic DB5 and a Ferrari 355 driven by Xenia Onatopp. In actuality, three different DB5s were used for filming. The same DB5s were used briefly in Tomorrow Never Dies, and also in some footage shot for The World Is Not Enough that did not appear in the final cut.
Scalextric Goldeneye Limited Edition Aston Martin DB5
Year: 2010
Type: Toy
Scalextric put out a special three-car series of limited edition James Bond slot cars in 2010, of which this was part. Only 3,500 were made. If you ever wanted a slot car version of the DB5, this is your car.
Die Another Day Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
Year: 2002
Type: Movie Car
In total, seven V12 Vanquishes were used for the filming of Die Another Day: four special effects cars and three unaltered hero cars. The four special effects cars didn’t have V12 engines, but instead used Ford BOSS 302 V8 engines, had 4WD, Ford Explorer front differentials and drive shafts, as well as the usual assortment of Bond car weaponry. Oh, and roll cages -- which is good, because two of these special effects cars were destroyed during filming. If it’s been awhile since you watched the film, here’s why this extra kit was necessary. Fun fact: the automatic gearbox fitted in the 4WD Vanquishes used in the film apparently allowed a speed of 120mph -- both in forward AND reverse gears. With a special feature like that, we’re amazed two of these special Aston/Ford hybrids survived.
Nikko Die Another Day Aston Martin V12 Vanquish RC Car
Year: 2002
Type: Toy
The box doesn’t actually say V12 on it. We’re not sure if that was intentional, or merely an oversight. Because the stunt cars in the film were fitted with V8s, we’d like to think it was someone at Nikko being especially attentive to detail. Overly optimistic? Quite possibly.
TS Die Another Day Aston Martin V12 Vanquish RC Car
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Unlike Nikko, TS specifies that this is the V12 version. Guess the only way to find out is to race it against the Nikko. Anyone want to try that and get back to us?
Corgi James Bond: Past and Present Collectables Magazine Gift Set
Year: 2008
Type: Toy
This extremely limited-edition gift set had a run of only 150 units. It features a beautifully detailed model of the Goldfinger 1964 Aston Martin DB5 alongside the Die Another Day 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish -- both inside a red plastic attache case that’s probably both more garish and more plasticky than 007 would ever actually carry. But it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?
Corgi Die Another Day Double Feature Special Edition
Year: 2002
Type: Toy
If you want to re-enact the V12 Vanquish and Jaguar XKR chase sequence on your desk, this die-cast set is what you need. You probably won’t earn points with your boss, if you make an ice rink on your desktop, though.
Casino Royale Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2006
Type: Movie Car
During the course of filming this chase sequence, the DBS broke the world record for cannon-assisted barrel rolls, rolling an astonishing seven times before coming to a halt. A secret compartment within the DBS held 007’s Walther P99, a defibrillator, and an emergency medical kit. How very new-millennium.
TS Casino Royale Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
It has motorized lights and sounds, like the other TS 007 models. A good addition to a younger kid’s growing Bond garage.
Corgi Casino Royale Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2006
Type: Toy
This is the reasonably priced Aston Martin DBS die-cast for bigger kids, like you.
Ertl/Joyride/RC2 Casino Royale 1:18 scale Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2006
Type: Toy
Like the other Joyride Bond cars, this is a reasonably priced, yet well-detailed, die-cast rendering. It features opening doors and a bonnet that opens to reveal a detailed engine inside.
Corgi Casino Royale Gift Set
Year: 2006
Type: Toy
An attractive mahogany box encloses beautiful die-casts of both the 2006 DBS and the 1964 DB5. We picture this sitting proudly on display in some executive’s office somewhere.
Minichamps 1:43 scale Casino Royale DB5
Year: 2006
Type: Toy
This further goes to show that no single car has had a greater impact on the Bond series than the original 1964 DB5. That silhouette is recognizable all over the world. We’d venture that it’s up there with the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari Testarossa in sheer recognizability. Oh, and this Minichamps edition is pretty nice, too.
TS Casino Royale Aston Martin DB5 RC car
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
This RC car features a controller made to look like a giant 007 wristwatch. Pretty neat for your little brother or sister to ram into your table legs. The holidays are rapidly approaching. No pressure.
Scalextric Casino Royale Aston Martin DB5
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Who needs a shiny slot car version of the DB5? You do? Here you go.
Quantum of Solace Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2006
Type: Movie Car
Seven DBS cars were used during the filming of Quantum of Solace, and none of them were the same as those used in Casino Royale. A horribly wrecked DBS didn’t only happen during this chase sequence -- stunt driver Fraser Dunn happened to ruin a DBS by accidentally driving it into Lake Garda in Italy, while they were filming on location. The stunt driver for this chase sequence? None other than Ben Collins, aka the most infamous Stig from Top Gear.
Corgi Quantum of Solace Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2008
Type: Toy
Once again Corgi made a solid die-cast version of one of 007’s rides. It would cost significantly less to buy seven of these and shoot your own stop-motion version of the film than to buy seven actual DBSes.
TS Quantum of Solace 1:32 scale Aston Martin DBS
Year: 2008
Type: Toy
TS adds a nice entry to its “Baby’s First Bond Garage” series. Just FYI, those flashing lights and sounds are fun on Christmas morning, but not so fun on New Year’s Day.
TS Quantum of Solace 1:32 scale Aston Martin DBS RC Car
Year: 2008
Type: Toy
Another TS RC car entry featuring the 007 watch controller. Add this into your race between the two Casino Royale DBS RC cars to liven things up. Or just crash into each other a lot.
Corgi 8 Car Film Canister Collection
Year: 2010
Type: Toy
OK, maybe this is more an “eight vehicle” car collection. Still, it comes in an old-school film can. In addition to Astony and other automotive goodness, you get a space shuttle and a gyropter. Who else is going to give you a gyropter in a film can?
Skyfall Aston Martin DB5
Year: 1964
Type: Movie Car
Two DB5s are used in Skyfall; one which already belonged to Eon Productions and another that Aston Martin hunted down specifically for the film. We don’t want to spoil anything that happens in the film, so we’ll just say that you can rest assured that no harm came to any actual DB5s during filming.
Corgi Skyfall Aston Martin DB5
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Better move quick, if you want to pick one of these up before you actually go see the film.
TS 1:32 scale Skyfall Aston Martin DB5
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
It would be interesting to see how this DB5 toy compares with other TS DB5s.
TS 1:32 scale Skyfall Aston Martin DB5 RC Car
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
We’re not sure, but racing this RC car against RC Vanquishes is probably the only instance in which a DB5 might have a chance against a Vanquish. You’re more than welcome to test our theory for us.
Scalextric Skyfall Aston Martin DB5 and Range Rover Sport: 50th Anniversary of Bond Edition
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Now you can re-enact scenes from Skyfall on your slot car track. Will the nimble DB5 outpace the more modern amenities of the Range Rover Sport? Only your hands can tell.
Suntory Boss Coffee 50th Anniversary of 007 Car Collection
Year: 2012
Type: Toy
Why does Japan always have the best toy bonuses sold with everyday stuff? You buy a box of Cracker Jack here, it comes with a sticker or a temporary tattoo. Buy some coffee in Japan, you get a superdeformed Bond car -- maybe even an Aston. We call shenanigans.