James Bond’s iconic stolen vehicle has reportedly been found 25 years after its disappearance. The secret agent was first seen driving the Aston Martin DB5 in 1964 during the franchise’s third film, Goldfinger. Despite the fact that Bond creator Ian Fleming imagined his character driving a DB Mark III by the organization, the film’s special effects expert John Stears convinced Aston Martin to let the team use a DB5 prototype. Sean Connery sat in the driver’s seat as the anecdotal MI6 agent, utilizing the specially-equipped vehicle’s different weapons and gadgets to complete his missions. Goldfinger began a long love undertaking between Bond and Aston Martin.
Now, 25 years after the Aston Martin’s disappearance, The Telegraph reports that the original vehicle has been found. The VIN number of a recently spotted DB5 matches that of the stolen vehicle seen in the Bond film. Investigators believe that the iconic Aston Martin is a piece of a private collection somewhere in the Middle East. This rare model is reportedly worth £18.2 million, or generally $25 million.
Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 is considered to be one of the most renowned vehicles in the world. In addition, the original model used in the film should in any case be tricked out with the entirety of the bells and whistles, including different weapons, tire shredders, a bulletproof windshield, smoke merchants, and the agent’s landmark ejector seat. The solitary other remaining original Aston Martin DB5 used in filming was sold at a sale in 2010 for $4.6 million.
Albeit the James Bond and Aston Martin have entered a more special relationship in recent years, the government operative’s original ride is considerably more than a vehicle. The Aston Martin has become a beloved and consistent character in the 007 universe, spawning toy replicas and even limited edition reproductions from the manufacturer. However other models have raced onto the screen in the Bond franchise, the DB5 will always be a fan favorite. It has appeared in not just Goldfinger and Thunderball, yet in addition Goldeneye, Casino Royale and Skyfall. A reproduction of the vehicle will next appear in the exceptionally anticipated Bond film No Time to Die, and will hopefully remain in safe hands this time around.