James Bond's Aston Martin Speeds to Auction

This 1964 Aston Martin DB4, which was used in the production of "Goldfinger," is

estimated at £40–60,000 ($59–89,000), at Bonhams' Aston Martin auction.

Courtesy Bonhams

With their bulletproof bodies, hidden missile launchers, and self-destruction settings, the cars of fictional British secret agent James Bond have delighted moviegoers and tantalized car and espionage fans for nearly half a century. Now wealthy Bond devotees will have a chance to own one of their very own, as British auction house Bonhams gears up to auction a 1964 Aston Martin DB4, which was used in the production of the Sean Connery-helmed 1964 classic, Goldfinger.

The car, originally built for the publishing tycoon Max Aitken, the first Baron of Beaverbrook, is estimated to earn £40–60,000 ($59–89,000) when it heads to the auction block on May 22 as part of Bonhams' Aston Martin car sale, the only auction in the world devoted to models by — and memorabilia related to — the storied sportscar company. Unfortunately, the car never actually made it into a Bond film; rather, it was used as a model for designing the special additions (like machine guns and ejector seats) that were later added to a silver DB5 used in the movie.

While it’s not quite as impressive as some later Bond cars, the Aston Martin boasts some interesting features, including a special, extra-light clutch and a thermostatically activated overheating alarm. Despite it’s apparent historical value, the car had actually been sitting in a garage since 1974.