The Living Daylights’ Aston Martin V8 with all Gadgets up for Auction
The iconic 1973 Aston Martin V8, famously driven by James Bond in the 1987 movie The Living Daylights, has been announced for auction by RM Sotheby’s this coming August.
Notably, this isn’t just any classic car; it comes equipped with some of its original cinematic gadgets that will undoubtedly spark excitement among Bond and automotive enthusiasts alike.
Recognized as one of four fully functioning Aston V8s used in the 1987 film, the classic car sits among the pantheon of the agent’s celebrated rides, sharing the limelight with the Aston Martin DB5 first introduced in Goldfinger and the amphibious Lotus Esprit from The Spy who Loved Me.
However, the Aston Martin V8 holds a unique appeal, blending sophisticated British engineering with the thrilling touch of Q Branch gadgetry.
A Closer Look at the Aston Martin V8’s Unique Appeal
In The Living Daylights, Bond, played by Timothy Dalton, uses an array of in-car gadgets to outmaneuver Czechoslovakian authorities. From lasers fired from the wheel center caps to missiles hidden behind the fog lights, the film car is no stranger to high-octane thrills.
It’s worth noting that this vehicle, despite its ingenious gadgetry, wasn’t immune to the hazards of high-speed pursuits. A memorable chase ends with the V8 crashing into a snowbank, but not before it unfurls outrigger skis and uses a rear-mounted rocket booster to navigate icy terrains.
RM Sotheby’s reveals that the 1973 V8 going under the hammer, listed as car number 10, was initially a green model with a fuel-injected engine. To make it screen-ready, the car received a new paint job, a simulated sunroof, a carburetor-specific hood, and a fiberglass rear end.
It also parted ways with its powertrain to shed weight for its unforgettable snowy slope slide. Today, it retains the outrigger skis and the fabricated rocket port, serving as nostalgic reminders of its thrilling film performance.
The car has undergone a meticulous restoration, complete with rust repairs and fresh paint. Adding to its original allure, the seller fitted the car with a Vantage engine and a five-speed manual transmission, mirroring the on-screen version.
The console can be exchanged to feature the gadget switchgear, and the previously fake rocket port has been updated to actually emit flames, a feature even the original film car lacked.
Sotheby’s Expecting to Raise Up To $1.8m
While this particular Aston Martin may not claim the title of the most iconic Bond car, its rich film heritage, coupled with functional on-screen gadgets, undoubtedly elevates its status in cinematic and automotive circles.
RM Sotheby’s anticipates a high demand, estimating the auction price to hover between $1.4 million and $1.8 million. The sale will take place during the Monterey auction, running from August 17 to 19.
For Bond fans whose budget might fall a little short of these estimations, a standard 1973 Aston Martin V8, valued at roughly $95,000 for a well-maintained model, can provide a taste of the classic Bond allure.
V8 Auction Comes a Year After DB5 Raised $3.7m
The V8 auction comes less than a year since the DB5 from No Time to Die made raised an impressive £2.9m ($3.7m) at a star-studded charity auction held at Christie’s Auction House in London. This sizeable figure underscored the unyielding fascination and prestige attached to James Bond’s suite of iconic vehicles.
The DB5 in question, crafted exclusively for No Time To Die, played a key role in the movie’s opening sequence. Daniel Craig as Bond, alongside Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, expertly manoeuvred the vehicle through the confining arteries of Matera, Italy, underscoring the car’s legendary status in the franchise.
While it might bear the same name, this DB5 is a far cry from the original model that graced Goldfinger. Yet its impressive $3.7m haul at auction sets a lofty benchmark for the forthcoming sale of the V8, a testament to the enduring appeal and high market value of Bond’s automotive co-stars.
