A Car Stolen From A James Bond Set Turns Up Again 20 Years Later
As the flagship franchise of the spy genre, the James Bond series is revered for its high-intensity action, stunning Bond girls, and of course, gadget-filled supercars. None of these legendary automobiles are more iconic than the Aston Martin DB5, which perfectly reflects the secret agent's ingenuity and sophistication. But one day in 1997, the 007 franchise ironically became the victim of crafty spy work when the famous DB5 was stolen from right under its nose! Authorities were baffled about how this cunning heist was executed, but a clue spotted decades later brought the whole mystery full-circle.
Bond's first set of wheels
While it may sound ludicrous in hindsight, James Bond was not always a fan of Aston Martin luxury vehicles. In fact, 007 creator, Ian Fleming, first imagined the MI6 agent driving a DB Mark III in the original novel, while in earlier installments he drove an old-fashioned Bentley! But once production began on the third Bond movie, Goldfinger, a new supercar passion was about to explode.
Start of a love affair
While working on 1964's Goldfinger, special effects expert John Stears convinced Fleming to allow the team to use an Aston Martin DB5 prototype during filming. Without hesitation, Bond actor Sean Connery sprung into the driver's seat and made use of the vehicle's mind-blowing gadgets, including missiles and an ejector seat. Just like that, the Aston Martin love affair had begun.
Return of the DB5
Having made a lasting first impression, the same Aston Martin was brought back for the next Bond installment, Thunderball. Just as was the case in the last film, this supercar was a major talking point among fans thanks to its mind-blowing gadgetry. As a result of its glowing reception, Aston Martin vehicles continued appear in 007 movies. Bond's car might have been the most famous auto in cinema.
Achieving legendary status
The Bond films reached peak popularity in the 1960s, with the then-U.S. President, John F. Kennedy, naming Ian Fleming as one of his favorite writers. In fact, Sean Connery became so recognized as James Bond that he struggled to overcome the image, eventually leaving the role in order to reclaim his own identity. Still, the Bond car obsession only continued to skyrocket — and more than just film producers took notice.
