Celebrating 60 years since the first James Bond film, Christie’s will offer 60 lots related to the iconic spy film – such as movie props, costumes and vehicles. The auction’s proceeds will be donated to 45 charities.
Collaborating with Eon Productions, the international auction house will hold a two-part charity sale, Sixty Years of James Bond. The first part is a live auction, which will be held on 28 September and will present 25 lots – where many are associated with the 25th film, No Time To Die (2021). The second part will be held online, and will feature 35 lots from 15 September to 5 October.
This article focuses on vehicles from the first sale and used during the film production. A silver birch Aston Martin DB5 stunt car featured in No Time to Die is the top lot, which is estimated between £1.5 and 2 million pounds (around US$1.8 to 2.4 million dollars).
Lot 7 | No Time To Die (2021) | Aston Martin Replica DB5 Stunt Car
Estimate: £1,500,000 – 2,000,000
One of eight built specifically for No Time To Die, it is to date the only DB5 stunt car to be released for sale. Debuted in the 1964 movie, Goldfinger, this car also appeared in No Time To Die – driven by Daniel Craig.
Aston Martin has been associated with the James Bond franchise for more than 50 years and has featured in 13 films so far. All the DB5 stunt cars were exclusively engineered and handcrafted for use, while this current car is one of a few to include the bespoke No Time To Die gadgets and mocked-up side panel damage.
Driven by Sean Connery, the Aston Martin DB5 first appeared in the James Bond film, Goldfinger (1964)
The car re-appeared in No Time To Die (2021), starring by Daniel Craig
This current car features a modern 3.2-litre straight 6 petrol engine alongside a manual gearbox to maximise the dynamic capability of the stunt car. The body panels are all carbon fibre, while the handcrafted interior has been made using carbon fibre and features cut down sport Tillett stunt seats. A machine gun is also hidden beneath the headlights.
Its suspension and braking system are bespoke and were uniquely engineered by Aston Martin Special Projects. Guided by British special effects supervisor, Chris Corbould, about what was expected of the car on set, the Aston Martin Special Projects team then developed a new suspension and braking system. This made the car capable of its breathtaking stunt performances.
Proceeds from the car’s sale will be donated to The Prince’s Trust and The Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund.
The Aston Martin DB5 is designed to perform different stunts
A pair of machine guns are found beneath the car's two headlights
Lot 11 | No Time To Die (2021) | Aston Martin V8
Estimate: £500,000 – 700,000
This 1981 Aston Martin V8 is one of three modified specifically for James Bond's No Time To Die, and is one of the cars driven by Daniel Craig in the film. It was filmed in Norway, Italy, London, Scotland and England.
It is similar to the iconic car that was first seen in 1987's The Living Daylights. Launched 10 years before Timothy Dalton's Bond debut, the Aston Martin V8 was both the fastest four-seat production car of its day and Britain's first true supercar – equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 engine, capable of reaching a top speed of 270 kilometres per hour.
The Aston Martin V8 used in The Living Daylights (1987) had an open-top design
The vehicle also re-appeared in No Time To Die (2021)
When the film company selected James Bond's car, it chose to work with Aston Martin. The luxury car manufacturing company's then executive chairman, Victor Gauntlett, provided his car for filming.
Proceeds from the car’s sale will benefit the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the United Kingdom.
Alongside these two classic cars, vehicles such as the Land Rover, motorcycle and boat are also featured:
Lot 9 | No Time To Die (2021) | A Pre-Production Land Rover Defender 110 Stunt Car
Estimate: £300,000 – 500,000
Land Rovers have starred in James Bond films for nearly 40 years, from Octopussy (1983) to the new Defender in No Time To Die. For the latter, Land Rover tore up the rulebook by allowing the pre-production new Defender on set months before its global launch.
A total of 10 Defenders were used for the filming, and this auctioned car is one of them. It has a body number VIN 007, which also appeared in a promotional event before the film's release.
Proceeds from the car's auction will be donated to the British Red Cross.
Lot 15 | 007 60th Anniversary Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Bond Edition
Estimate: £200,000 – 300,000
Inspired by the specification of the Defenders that appear in No Time To Die, the stealthy Defender V8 110 Bond Edition features bespoke touches that honour Land Rover’s long partnership with the James Bond franchise.
This vehicle comes with extended black pack, 22-inch gloss black wheels and signature V8 xenon blue front callipers. The iconic 007 logo features on the rear badge, puddle lamp, illuminated tread plate and PIVI screen animation.
Proceeds from the car's sale will benefit wildlife conservation charity, Tusk Trust Ltd.
Daniel Craig during a chase at the start of No Time To Die (2021)
Lot 25 | No Time To Die (2021) | Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE
Estimate: £20,000 – 30,000
A Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE motorcycle is featured in the chase at the beginning of the movie.
It was specially modified to handle the rigours of the Italian action sequence. Stunt coordinator Lee Morrison worked with the Triumph team to create a stunt motorcycle that not only performs at a high level, but looks stylish while doing it.
Proceeds from the motorcycle’s sale will be donated to Severn Hospice.
Steering the Q Jet Boat, Pierce Brosnan featured in the 1999 film, The World Is Not Enough
Lot 24 | The World Is Not Enough (1999) | Q Jet Boat
Estimate: £20,000 – 30,000
Appearing in the 1999 film The World Is Not Enough, Bond (Pierce Brosnan) launches the Q Jet Boat from the MI6 offices. He chases after a villain, before taking off outside the Millennium Dome and launches 007 onto a rope dangling from a hot air balloon.
Boat builder Doug Riddle constructed a racing machine with a V8 engine offering 300 bhp. Riddle Marine constructed a total of 15 boats for the sequence. The boat was used in most of the chase sequence. In the sale, this current boat is an special effects version rigged with an opening weapon hatch at the front.
Proceeds from the boat's sale will be donated to The Prince’s Trust.
Auction Details:
Auction House: Christie’s London
Sale: Sixty Years of James Bond: Part I – Live Auction
Date and Time: 28 September 2022 | 7pm (London time)