Bojan Vrbnjak
Although we associate James Bond cars with Aston Martins, the secret agent in the first 007 movie, 1962's The Huntsman, initially drove a much more modest Sunbeam Alpine. A year later, Sean Connery also had a Bentley Mark IV instead of an Aston Martin in the film "Love Greetings from Moscow".
Bond's car par excellence, the Aston Martin DB5, only became a four-wheeled protagonist in the third film in the series: 1964's 'Goldfinger'. Six decades later, the DB12 received a special edition to celebrate this milestone. The luxurious Grand Tourer was pampered by Aston Martin's Q division, which is responsible for highly customized cars. The name of the department was not chosen by chance, as it is also associated with the films and novels of Ian Fleming. Q is the codename of Major Boothroyd, Agent 007's master-at-arms on behalf of the British Secret Service. In real life, Q is responsible for high quality Aston Martin cars. This DB12 Goldfinger Edition has really gone to great lengths with special features.
The interior is gilded with 18-carat gold, and the precious metal also adorns the center console. The attractive surface is adorned with a rotary switch for driving modes and a gear shifter. Gold was also used for temperature, fan and volume controls. The gear shifter is not standard as found on the regular DB12, having been reshaped to mimic the gold dipstick used by Agent 007. Elsewhere, gold metallic fibers are woven into the carbon fibre.
Another nice detail you might miss is the eight-of-hearts logo on the driver's sun visor, reminiscent of the playing card shown in Goldfinger Miami in the final draw during the pool scene. Q by Aston Martin has also dressed the seats in leather, echoing the DB5's grooved style and featuring a Prince of Wales check perforation pattern reminiscent of James Bond's suit. This theme continues on the headliner and door panels.
Unfortunately, you won't find any accessories inside the DB12 Goldfinger Edition. The limited edition coupe is finished in a silver birch color that mimics the DB5 from the movie Goldfinger. It rides on silver 21-inch multi-spoke wheels with black brake calipers and exclusive gold side moldings. In addition, the Aston Martin badge is finished in silver with black enamel, while the 'Q' badge on the side indicates that this is no ordinary DB12.
Aston Martin will build just 60 examples, one for each year since Goldfinger hits cinemas. Buyers can be happy, because the special car is equipped with many accessories. There is a custom car cover and a stylish key box, as well as a Speedform model made of silver birch. The real highlight is an excerpt of the Furka Pass scene from the movie Goldfinger on 35mm film. Buyers also receive an individually numbered bottle of champagne, four elegant glasses and a 1 of 60 Aston Martin magazine.
The next film in the franchise will probably feature an Aston Martin as the hero. A 26th film is already being planned, but a release date is not yet known. It is also not yet known who will portray James Bond. Daniel Craig's run of five films has come to an end. According to the producers, fans can expect a "reinvention" of the film series.
