[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/legendary-stolen-james-bond-goldfinger-aston-martin-db5-found-possibly\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/legendary-stolen-james-bond-goldfinger-aston-martin-db5-found-possibly\/","headline":"Legendary Stolen James Bond Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 Found – Possibly\u2026","name":"Legendary Stolen James Bond Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 Found – Possibly\u2026","description":"As I write this, a few days before what has become known as \u2018Blue Monday\u2019 here in the UK; the third Monday of the new year and allegedly the most depressing day, it\u2019s nice to be able to bring you some upbeat, permanently nostalgic feel-good news. Yes, the missing James Bond Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5 has apparently been found\u2026 First, a brief introduction to Art Recovery International, and if the mere thought of such an organisation existing reminds you of […]","datePublished":"2022-01-13","dateModified":"2022-01-13","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Aston-DB5-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Aston-DB5-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/legendary-stolen-james-bond-goldfinger-aston-martin-db5-found-possibly\/","about":["ASTON MARTIN","CLASSIC CARS","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":629,"keywords":["aston martin","Aston Martin DB5","james bond"],"articleBody":"As I write this, a few days before what has become known as \u2018Blue Monday\u2019 here in the UK; the third Monday of the new year and allegedly the most depressing day, it\u2019s nice to be able to bring you some upbeat, permanently nostalgic feel-good news. Yes, the missing James Bond Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5 has apparently been found\u2026First, a brief introduction to Art Recovery International, and if the mere thought of such an organisation existing reminds you of the Brad Pitt movie, The Monuments Men, well the reality is probably just as romantic. Art Recovery is an organisation founded by lawyer Christopher A Marinello, which specialises in the research and subsequent recovery of stolen works of art, including looted artworks. In July 2018, Art Recovery published an article detailing the 7 strangest and most exotic art thefts ever reported. Among this list was the original Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5, which went missing in 1997 in Boca Raton in Florida, when the famous movie vehicle mysteriously disappeared from an aircraft hangar.The 1963 Aston Martin DB5 is surely the most famous movie car to have existed, having taken high profile roles in both 1964\u2019s Goldfinger and Thunderball the following year. While the theft was a complete mystery at the time with detectives unable to establish any leads, Art Recovery investigations have seemingly tracked the vehicle down to a private owner based in the Middle East. While there were other Aston Martin vehicles used in the production of these movies, including stunt vehicles and two publicity cars build especially for the promotion of Goldfinger, this particular car – chassis number DP216\/1 – was the car that was used for Sean Connery\u2019s close ups when filmed driving the DB5 in Goldfinger.This most famous James Bond Aston Martin of them all has had a fractured topsy-turvy existence. Originally retired back to Aston Martin HQ following the twin movie appearances, the DP216\/1 DB5, which was known as the \u2018effects car\u2019, had all its \u2018Q\u2019 gadgetry (ejector seats, .30 calibre Browning machine guns hidden behind the front indicators, bulletproof rear and front screens, revolving number plates, etc) taken out and it was returned to its original state. These items were removed to allow Aston Martin to sell the car as a legal road going vehicle. When the car was subsequently sold at auction, the new owner spent good money reinstalling all the Bond gadgets back again courtesy of a Kent-based coachbuilder – naturally enough.Eventually, the classic 1963 DB5 ended up in the ownership of Anthony V Pugliese III at a cost of $250,000, surely a bargain by today\u2019s movie car collector standards, and it was under his Florida-based ownership that the coveted 007 DB5 went missing from a secure hangar in 1997. It\u2019s rumoured that the insurance payout was some $4.2 million with a further insurance reward of $100,000 for any information leading to its recovery. Further intrigue arose when podcast series, The Most Famous Car in the World, with a voice-over by Elizabeth Hurley, suggested that new evidence had come to light indicating where the DB5 might now be and offered a $100,000 reward for more information.Art Recovery, who have been chasing the missing Bond car for the past decade, are not giving any more details at this juncture, saying that they always like to give the possessor of any such artefacts the opportunity to come forward and \u2018do the right thing\u2019 before pursuing any further. To be fair, Art Recovery do believe that the current owner, who houses the famous 007 Bond Aston Martin in a private collection, was unaware that the car was in fact stolen. The car is estimated to now be worth in the region of around $25 million. We now can only await the next move – whoever it may be from – with bated breath.Images: astonmartin.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Legendary Stolen James Bond Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 Found – Possibly\u2026","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/legendary-stolen-james-bond-goldfinger-aston-martin-db5-found-possibly\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]