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After Aston Martin's departure from racing, they needed a new marketing strategy. When Ian Fleming's novel Goldfinger was adapted for the big screen in 1964, 007's ride became a Silver Birch DB5 equipped with all the necessary gimmickry for the movie.

Playing the role of 007, Sean Connery drove the DB5 registered BMT 216A for 13 minutes of the film and world never forgot. Aston Martin produced two replicas to help promote their appearance. Afterwards, car placement in blockbuster movies would never never be the same.

For the movie, the book's DB Series III was replaced with Aston's latest DB5. Eon Productions visited the Aston Factory who then modified a standard DB5 to include several props that accommodated the storyline.

In the front of the car, hidden Browning machine guns were supposed to be placed behind the front marker lights. When 'activated' the lights pivoted to make way for barrels. The shots were simulated by drops of acetylene gas which were ignited.

Rearwards, the car had a bullet-proof shield that could be activated from inside the car. At the flick of a switch, a large divider lifted and completely blocked any rear vision. The exhaust also featured canisters that could offer a smoke screen. The license plate pivoted and could provide plates for Britain, France, and Switzerland. Both rear turn signals had treats, one that dispersed oil and three-pointed nails cascaded from the other.

For special occasions, in which an unwanted driver came close to the car, the front or rear bumperettes could be extended for ramming. The wire wheel knock-offs could also extend and doubled as tire slashers.

Inside a host of secret compartments were made. An ejector seat was used for one scene, and was launched using compressed-air, but was never permanently fitted. Almost predicting the future, a navigation device was installed that used a back lit and constantly moving map.

All the trickery added over 300 lbs to stock DB5, which was slightly offset by Aston's 330 bhp upgrade. As ridiculous as this car my seem, it was a great success and exposed Aston Martin to its largest audience. Over 898 DB5 Coupes were sold which was made it the companies best-selling car.

Since 007, no other company has repeated such graceful product placement as effectively as James Bond and his DB5.

Astons later appearances with 007:

DB5 in Thunderball (1965)
DBS & V8 Vantage in The Living Daylights (1987)
DBS in Casino Royale (2006)

Story by Supercars.net