One of the Aston Martin spy cars from the James Bond movies "Thunderball" and "Goldfinger" has been sold for $2.1 million at a vintage cars auction.

The legendary 1965 DB5 model, complete with a host of high-tech gadgets, went under the hammer in Phoenix, Arizona.

Driven by Sean Connery, the car boasts built-in Browning machine guns, tyre slashers, an oil slick ejector and a retractable rear bullet-proof screen.

Before the sale began, lights in the auction house were turned off and RM Auctions spokesman Terrance Lobzun - dressed in 007-style tuxedo - drove the car on to the stage.

He demonstrated all the features - including the guns - in return for a standing ovation from the audience.

"It was just amazing. The atmosphere was electric, it was so exciting," he said.

"Every seat of the 1,500 in the house was sold - it was standing room only. It was the biggest crowd we've ever had. "

"If there had been real bullets in the guns I would have taken out the whole front row of these people who have more money than most countries do."

It was bought for $2,090,000 by a Swiss businessman.

The 45-year-old man, who did not want to be identified, placed his bids over the telephone through friend and car dealer Beat Roos to win the gadget-packed 007 car used in such classics as "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball." Both men live in Bern, Switzerland.

"His instructions were to bring the car back to Switzerland," Roos said.