Did you happen to catch a few minutes of the James Bond movie marathon on AMC over Memorial Day weekend? With the release of the most installment of the series postponed, there has been a bit of a news void about the world’s most beloved spy. Until now.

Aston Martin has once again begun production of the DB5, a model that is considered one of the most desirable cars in the world. Originally, just 900 saloon examples were built between 1963 to 1965. Bond drove one in “Goldfinger”.

Fifty-five years after the first model rolled off the line in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, work is again happening on a limited number of new DB5 models in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions. Each car takes around 4,500 hours to produce.

These models will be known as continuation cars and features a broad suite of working gadgets first seen on screen in the 1964 film are priced at £2.75 million, plus taxes. Just 25 will be made.

According to a release, “Each of the 25 new cars is being built to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, alongside the integration of cutting-edge gadgets developed in association with Chris Corbould OBE, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films.”

All of the cars are a meticulous reproduction of the one Sean Connery drove in character on screen.

The exterior features a rear smoke screen delivery system, rear simulated oil slick delivery system, front and rear revolving number plates, simulated twin front machine guns, bullet resistant rear shield, front and rear battering rams, simulated tire slasher, removable passenger seat roof panel (optional).

This is the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that was used in the “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball” movies. It recently went under the hammer.
Photo by Getty Images

Additionally, the cabin includes a simulated radar screen tracker map, telephone in the driver’s door, gear knob actuator button, armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear, under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray, and remote control for gadget activation.

All the DB5 “Goldfinger” Continuation cars are being built to one exterior color specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original.

The cars feature original DB5 styled aluminum exterior body panels and a mild steel chassis. Under the hood lives a 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, three carburetors, and oil cooler. The power plant achieves 290 bhp and is paired with a five-speed ZF manual transmission. It also has a mechanical limited slip differential.

Additional equipment is very much of the car’s original production time. There are Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering – which does not feature assistance – and a suspension set-up comprising coil over spring and damper units with anti-roll bar at the front, and a live axle rear suspension with radius arms and Watt’s linkage.

The car featured a number of gadgets that were installed for the movie, including machine guns under the fog lights.
Photo by Getty Images

First deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers will commence in the second half of 2020.