An Aston Martin once owned by Paul McCartney could fetch more than £1 million when it hits the auction block at Bonhams next week.
The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is set to sell in London on December 2, with an estimate of £1.25 – £1.5 million ($1.7 – $2m).
In the summer of 1964, The Beatles were riding high and set for global domination.
Just a few weeks earlier the band had appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of more than 70 million American viewers, and now they were preparing to embark on a world tour.
To celebrate their success, Paul McCartney decided to treat himself to a brand new car. But he didn’t order just any old motor – he chose the same car as James Bond.
For McCartney, it seemed the perfect fit; it was the world’s most famous car, and he was in the world’s most famous band.
McCartney’s DB5 was delivered on September 22, just five days after Goldfinger hit the big screen in Britain.
The car was originally finished in Sierra Blue with black interior, and included desirable factory options such as a Motorola radio, powered aerial, two Marchal fog lamps, chrome road wheels and heated rear window.
McCartney owned the DB5 for six years, and it was even mentioned in a Time magazine profile written in September 1967:
“Bachelor Paul, 25 (his favorite ‘bird’ is 21-year old actress Jane Asher) is a movie addict, loves ‘the look of London’ and tools around town in a spiffy blue Aston Martin DB5.”
He later sold the car in 1970, and over the years it has changed hands several times.
In 2012 the car was purchased by its current owner, and underwent a complete nut-and-bolt restoration.
After four painstaking years of work, the Aston Martin is now regarded as a concours-quality classic – perfect for a Beatles fan seeking an extra-special ride.
