Meet the Owner - Bjarte Tunold and his Aston Martin DB5

To celebrate the launch of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, we look at the iconic Aston Martin DB5.

On the 17 September 1964, the London premiere of the third Bond Film created cinema history, not least from the moment when Desmond Llewelyn’s Q orders 007 to ‘pay attention’. The 1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre Vanden Plas Drophead Coupé seen in From Russia with Love has ‘had its day’, and its replacement is a DB5, complete with some rather notable accessories.

Nine years later a young gentleman from Norway called Bjarte Tunold watched a rescreening of Goldfinger. He was so mesmerised by the bullet shield, the tyre slashers, the revolving number plates and, of course, the ejector seat, that he dreamed of one day owning such an Aston Martin. And years later, his dream came true.

The DB5 may have appeared on screen for less than 15 minutes, but this was more than enough to create a cinematic icon. Such was the popularity of the Aston Martin that it made a guest appearance in Thunderball, while younger fans saved their pocket money for the excellent Corgi diecast model.

Today, the Silver Birch DB5 remains the car most associated with the franchise, and millions continue to regard it as the definitive ‘Bond Car’. To the average cinema patron of 1964, the Aston Martin appeared almost impossibly exotic; at £4,248, it cost more than eight Minis. Autocar mused, “It is a car that defies definition, for it can put on so many widely differing characters that it always seems tailored to one’s mood of the moment”.

Yet, 007 might have used an E-Type at one point, as Eon Productions’ co-founder Cubby Broccoli approached Browns Lane. However, Jaguar turned him down, and history relates that Aston Martin loaned the film company two DB5s. One was a prototype, chassis no. DP/2161/1, which served as ‘the gadget car’ and the second, chassis no. DB5/1486/R was ‘the road car’ for the driving scenes and high-speed chase sequences.

Nearly fifty years after the release of Goldfinger, Bjarte acquired his DB5, chassis no. ‘1616/R’, at the Bonham’s auction in the 2013 Goodwood Revival. He said: “It is my first Aston Martin, and it was registered on 18 June 1964. The transmission is a five-speed manual box, and I have installed power-assisted steering, making it easier when parking and in town.”

On the open road, Bjarte observes that “there is something very special about driving a car of that era; the sound, the feel and the entire experience. I also own a Ferrari from the same year as the Aston Martin, and it is equally fun to drive.” Naturally, the DB5 attracts a vast amount of attention; “I do not use it much, but when I do, it always receives thumbs up, with people talking and asking questions. Many of them mention the film, of course!”

Perhaps the finest tribute to the Tunold Aston Martin is that “it really does live up to my dreams from when I first saw Goldfinger; it is a fabulous car”. Cue the famous theme song.

With thanks to: Bjarte Tunold.

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get an insurance quote for your classic car today.