The Aston Martin DB5 "Goldfinger" Replicas Won't be Street Legal Because the Gadgets are Real!

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Aug 28, 2018

You can't use the ejector seats, machine guns, and revolving license plates in public

Aston Martin’s plan to recreate 25 continuation James Bond DB5 models comes with the caveat that future owners can't drive them on public roads because the gadgets that came in the original Bond DB5 are included on these continuation models. Each car carries a £2.75 million price tag or around $3.5 million based on current exchange rates. Those who can afford to pay for any one of these 25 DB5s will have to make do with having these cars serve as garage jewelry.

It’s cool that Aston Martin is bringing back James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. It’s even cooler that the British automaker is collaborating with long-time Bond special effects supervisor Chris Corbould to include a lot of the gadgets that came in the most famous Bond car of all time. But before you start imagining the feeling of actually using ejector seats in real life, you need to know that there are real-world limits to what Aston Martin and Corbould can do.

We still don’t know which gadgets will be included in the 25 continuation DB5s. We can run down a list of what Bond’s original DB5 came with and see if they’re feasible enough to be featured in the continuation DB5 models, knowing full well that none of these models are road-legal.

Rotating license plates

The rotating license plates are arguably the most famous feature of the Bond DB5 so expect this gadget in the continuation DB5s. The rotating plates are inherently harmless for showcase purposes and the gadget is one of the hallmark features of Bond’s classic ride. We’d be shocked if this feature isn’t included.

Hidden GPS dashboard with radio communication

File this one next to the rotating license plates. The hidden GPS dashboard with radio communication is highly likely to be included in the continuation Bond DB5 models. The setup should be there. What’s important is whether it’s going to be functional in the today’s world. Would it end up becoming a better tech system that Aston Martin’s current infotainment system? Don’t be surprised if the answer ends up being “yes.”

Oil slick and smoke screen, both via the center armrest

On paper, these two enemy deterrents should be included in the continuation Bond DB5 models. But a lot of things can go wrong when you store oil and whatever gas compound is used to create the smoke in a car for novelty purposes. The mechanisms to release the oil and smoke screen could be included. But as far as the oil and the gas compound themselves? We’re not as optimistic.

Front machine guns under the headlights

Unless Aston Martin can secure a legitimate firearms license, don’t think for one second that the continuation DB5 will carry real machine guns with real bullets. At best, the cars will have prop machine guns with no means of putting real bullets in them.

Rear collapsible bulletproof shield

This could take a lot of work, particularly in creating an actual bulletproof shield. But it could still go either way. We’re not sure if this can be included, though the car’s £2.75 million ($3.5 million) price tag suggests that Aston Martin and Chris Corbould will have some latitude to spend on developing actual bulletproof shields.

Tire slashers

The tire slashers fall into the same category as the front machine guns. They're classified as dangerous weapons so they could be omitted from the continuation DB5s. If Aston Martin decides to include them, don’t expect the slashers to have sharp points. They should be blunt points, at least for safety purposes.