Stolen: DB5 Disappears From James Bond Set
Slideshow: Here is the true story of what happened to this beautiful British bombshell.
All That Glitters Isn’t Gold
Having your car star in a feature film may be a dream come true for some owners, but after purchasing the car and storing it in an airplane hanger in Florida the owner of this car must have been shocked to find it missing. No signs of the car were found for over 21 years (the car was stolen in 1997) until now.
Where in the World?
The car has allegedly been located after missing for two decades in the Middle East. It’s unknown at this point who exactly took the car but the leads are strong and a legal battle is sure to proceed. You might think it’s as simple as getting your stolen car back until you do some digging. These types of things can go on for years if the owner of the car entertains a legal battle. Not fun.
Motivation
When the car was purchased in the mid-80s it was done so for a quarter of a million dollars USD ($250,000). Having said that it is now estimated the value of this vehicle is in the range of 7 to 10 million dollars. A car like this to the owner is about much more than the money. To the current—and unlawful— owner it may be a matter of pride to try and hold onto the silver screen legend. This is sure to get interesting.
Beyond Bond
The specs of this car are actually pretty cool. At 282bhp and 280lbs ft of torque, the car is fast when you consider a curb weight of 3,311lbs. The sound is provided by pipes that relieve burnt up exhaust gases from a 4.0L straight 6 engine with good old-fashioned carburetors. It’s a simple recipe that’s mechanical, involving to drive and rewarding when you get it right.
Hoping for the Best
All anyone can hope is that the owner of this car is reunited with his long-lost legend before it’s too late. Aston Martin’s DB5 is an iconic machine that will be remembered forever due to its timeless design and classic appearances in films both new and old. With a story that reads like a Bond movie itself, we can only hope there is a happy ending for the protagonist.