James Bond’s DB5 – The book licensed for thrills

We won’t spoil anything because Bond lovers who care about their Bond love will have already seen No Time to Die.

James Bond’s DB5 gives an in-depth history of 007 and the first official account. The book was published just in time to coincide with the 2021 release of No Time To Die (25th James Bond movie), which featured the car prominently.

EON Productions, the company that made James Bond films has never authorized a book about the DB5. The first appearance of the DB5 was in 1964’s Goldfinger. The DB5 continued to be seen in eight additional 007 films.

Sean Connery and his Aston Martin DB5 at Goldfinger

This book is a collaboration between EON and Aston Martin. It draws heavily from both their archives. Storyboards, diagrams, and rare photographs show every detail of this car, including the exhaust and over-riders.

The forewords were written by Marek Reichman (Creative Officer at Aston Martin) and Michael G. Wilson, James Bond producer.

There are 320 photographs spread over 280 pages. It tells the entire story.

It continues to tell the amazing story and show the appearances of the DB5s while on tour.

Aston Martin DB5 No Time to Die

This coffee table book is a masterpiece. It’s hard to believe that Aston Martin executives had to be persuaded to lend a car for the filming of the movie. They believed that it would be more expensive than they were worth as they knew the car would be returned with scratches and dents.

The book contains many interesting facts. The same DB5 was featured on an episode of The Saint, ITV’s January 1964 special (starring Roger Moore, third James Bond).

James Bond’s DB5 documents in great detail Ken Adam’s efforts to create the gadgets that would make the car a star.

Did you know that the DB5’s retractable wheels blades could shred tyres? They were inspired by the 1958 Ben-Hur movie, The Chariot Race.

Thunderball saw the car’s return and replica 007 DB5s set out on a worldwide tour in support of Bond movies. Although spy was able to drive other cars, the DB5 was his only Bond car.

Pierce Brosnan, Aston Martin DB5 & Goldeneye

After a 30-year hiatus, the DB5 returned to the screen in 1995’s Goldeneye. The DB5 then made an appearance in five Bond films, culminating in No Time to Die.

It’s amazing to think that the most famous film in the world was only in production for two years (1963-19195). Only 887 cars were produced, and only a handful were converted into Bond movie cars (for publicity).

The book covers the DB5’s starring role in No Time to Die, and also includes behind-the-scenes photos.

Aston Martin fans will be happy to learn that Daniel Craig later retrieves his old V8 out of a lockup. This car was last seen in 1987’s The Living Daylights, with Timothy Dalton playing the title role.

James Bond’s DB5 by James Bond is a great book. Hero Collector Books (RP PS40) published it.