Thunderball – AUSmotive.com

Regular readers will remember, back in June, we brought you news that this fantastic piece of motoring and movie making memorabilia was going up for auction. The auction took place in London on Wednesday and the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 sold for a staggering Â£2,912,000 (A$4.74 million).

The car was driven by Sean Connery and used in the films Goldfinger and Thunderball. Dubbed “the most famous car in the world” the DB5 was auctioned by RM Auctions and Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, said, “RM has just established the price of fame. We had a fabulous time during the promotion of the sale of 007’s DB5 and weâ€™re really pleased to have been able to assist with finding it a great new home.”

When you consider the previous owner, Jerry Lee, bought the car directly from Aston in 1969 for US$12,000 the profit made is quite considerable. The good news is, funds from the sale will be going to the Jerry Lee Foundation charity, which targets social problems associated with poverty.

The new owner, American businessman Harry Yeaggy, is over joyed at his new acquisition, “This is a car that I’ve always wanted, after all it is the most famous car in the world. My plan is to display it in my private car museum in Ohio just as it is.”

More after the break, including a promo video produced by RM Auctions.

FOR SALE: The world’s coolest car

Here at AUSmotive HQ we rate the Aston Martin DB5 from the James Bond films as the world’s coolest car. The allure of the Aston Martin marque and classic 1960s styling coupled with the Q-branch gadgets make it so. Soon, for the first time in over 40 years you will have a chance to buy the car.

Up for sale is the sole remaining example from two DB5s used during the filming of Goldfinger and Thunderball starring Sean Connery. It will go up for auction in late October at RM Auction’s annual “Automobiles of London” sale.

Amercian radio broadcaster Jerry Lee is the current owner and has held possession of the DB5 since he persuaded Aston Martin to sell him the car back in 1969 for the princely sum of $12,000. Mr Lee intends to use the proceeds of the sale for his Jerry Lee Foundation charity, which targets social problems associated with poverty.

“The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” said Jerry Lee. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.”

So, there you have it. Your chance to buy one of the world’s most desirable cars and do a good deed at the same time. Who knows, buy this car and you might even meet Pussy Galore.

Full press release after the break.